Terminology

API

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. It defines the methods and data formats that applications can use to request and exchange information, enabling them to work together and share functionality.

APIs serve as intermediaries, allowing developers to access certain features or data of a software system or service without having to understand the underlying code or infrastructure. By exposing specific functions or data through a well-defined API, developers can integrate those capabilities into their own applications or build upon existing systems.

APIs come in various forms, but they often provide a standardized set of commands or endpoints that can be accessed over a network. These endpoints receive requests and return responses in a predefined format, such as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or XML (eXtensible Markup Language).

C-CDA

The HL7 (C-CDA) Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture standard defines a set of templates and implementation guides that specify the structure and content of clinical documents, such as discharge summaries, progress notes, and lab results. These documents are intended to be exchanged electronically between different healthcare systems, allowing for the sharing of patient information across organizations and facilitating coordinated and continuous care.

C-CDA documents are typically encoded using the Extensible Markup Language (XML) format, making them machine-readable and interoperable. The standard includes guidelines for data elements, section headings, document structure, and vocabulary standards to ensure consistency and meaningful exchange of clinical information.

CMS

CMS stands for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for administering various healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CMS plays a crucial role in overseeing these programs, setting policies, and regulating healthcare providers and facilities participating in these government-funded initiatives. Its mission is to ensure access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for eligible individuals, improve health outcomes, and promote innovative approaches to healthcare delivery and payment. CMS establishes reimbursement rates, develops coverage policies, and works to advance value-based care models to transform the healthcare system and improve the health and well-being of millions of Americans.

EHI

EHI stands for Electronic Health Information, which refers to digitized health-related data, records, and information that is stored and exchanged electronically. EHI encompasses a wide range of health information, including patient demographics, medical history, laboratory results, imaging reports, medication records, and more. It is a critical component of modern healthcare systems, enabling healthcare providers to access and share patient information electronically, supporting clinical decision-making, care coordination, and improving healthcare outcomes. EHI plays a vital role in promoting interoperability, enabling seamless data exchange across different healthcare organizations, systems, and platforms, and facilitating the transition towards more efficient and connected healthcare delivery.

EHR

An EHR, or Electronic Health Record, is a digital version of a patient's comprehensive medical history and health information. It is a centralized electronic system that securely stores and manages patient data, including medical diagnoses, treatments, medications, lab results, imaging reports, and other relevant information. EHRs are designed to be accessible by authorized healthcare providers and support seamless sharing of information across different healthcare settings. They enable healthcare professionals to have a comprehensive view of a patient's health status, facilitate accurate diagnosis, improve care coordination, enhance patient safety, and support evidence-based decision-making. EHRs play a vital role in modern healthcare by promoting efficiency, accuracy, and continuity of care.

eRx

eRx, short for Electronic Prescription, refers to the electronic transmission of prescription orders from healthcare providers to pharmacies. It replaces traditional paper-based prescriptions and enables healthcare professionals to electronically generate, transmit, and process medication orders. eRx systems are designed to improve medication safety, reduce errors, and streamline the prescription process. They allow healthcare providers to quickly access patients' medication histories, check for potential drug interactions or allergies, and send prescriptions directly to pharmacies for dispensing. eRx helps enhance patient care, minimize transcription errors, increase efficiency, and support better medication management and adherence.

FHIR

One notable HL7 standard is HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), which is a modern and web-based standard that aims to simplify and streamline health data exchange. FHIR utilizes RESTful APIs and standard data formats, such as JSON and XML, to enable more efficient and developer-friendly integration of healthcare applications.

HL7

HL7, which stands for Health Level Seven, is a set of international standards for the exchange, integration, and sharing of electronic health information. It is a widely adopted and recognized framework in the healthcare industry, serving as a key enabler for interoperability between different healthcare systems, applications, and devices.

HL7 standards define a range of specifications and protocols for the exchange of clinical and administrative data. These standards cover various aspects of healthcare information, including patient demographics, laboratory results, clinical notes, imaging reports, medical devices, and more.

The primary focus of HL7 is to establish common data formats, structures, and messaging standards to ensure that healthcare systems can communicate effectively and consistently. HL7 standards include (C-CDA) Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture or the more recent FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources).

HL7 has evolved over time, with different versions and standards being developed to address the changing needs and advancements in healthcare IT. The HL7 standardization organization, Health Level Seven International, is responsible for developing and maintaining the HL7 standards. It is a global organization that brings together industry stakeholders, including healthcare providers, vendors, standards organizations, and government agencies, to collaboratively develop and refine the standards.

HL7 standards are used in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and health information exchanges (HIEs). They enable seamless integration and data exchange between different systems, supporting clinical workflows, care coordination, and interoperability.

HHS

HHS stands for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is a federal agency responsible for protecting the health and well-being of Americans. HHS plays a critical role in developing and implementing healthcare policies, regulations, and programs to address public health issues, promote healthcare access, and advance scientific research. It oversees a wide range of healthcare initiatives, including Medicare and Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). HHS works to improve the nation's health outcomes, ensure the safety and efficacy of medical products, provide health services to vulnerable populations, and promote innovative approaches to healthcare delivery and public health preparedness.

HIPAA

HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, is a federal law in the United States that safeguards the privacy and security of individuals' health information. HIPAA establishes standards and regulations for healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses to protect patients' sensitive data, such as medical records, diagnoses, treatments, and insurance information. It grants individuals certain rights over their health information and places obligations on covered entities to ensure its confidentiality and integrity. HIPAA also includes provisions for electronic transactions and code sets to facilitate standardized electronic exchange of health information. The law aims to promote trust and confidence in the healthcare system by setting guidelines for the secure handling of personal health information and reducing the risk of unauthorized disclosure or misuse.

IHE

IHE, or Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise, is an international initiative that fosters interoperability and integration of healthcare information systems. It brings together healthcare professionals, vendors, and stakeholders to collaboratively develop and implement technical frameworks, profiles, and specifications. By defining how different standards can be used together, IHE enables seamless exchange and sharing of clinical data across healthcare organizations and systems. Through the use of profiles and actors, IHE outlines specific integration scenarios and promotes practical implementation through testing and Connectathons. Ultimately, IHE aims to improve care coordination, enhance clinical workflows, and facilitate efficient information exchange in healthcare.

JSON

JSON, short for JavaScript Object Notation, is a lightweight data-interchange format widely used for storing and transmitting structured data. It provides a human-readable and easy-to-parse syntax that represents data as key-value pairs or arrays. JSON is language-independent, making it compatible with a wide range of programming languages and platforms. It is commonly used in web development, APIs, and data exchange scenarios. JSON's simplicity, readability, and versatility have made it a popular choice for data serialization and communication between systems, allowing for efficient and seamless transfer of information in a standardized format.

JWT

JWT, or JSON Web Token, is a compact and self-contained security token used for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. It consists of three parts: a header, a payload, and a signature. The header contains information about the token's type and the hashing algorithm used, while the payload holds the actual data or claims being transmitted. The signature is generated using a secret key and allows the recipient to verify the token's authenticity and integrity. JWTs are commonly used for authentication and authorization purposes in web applications and APIs, allowing users to obtain and present digitally signed tokens to access protected resources. JWTs provide a stateless and scalable approach to securely exchanging information, as the token itself contains all the necessary data, reducing the need for server-side session management.

ONC

The ONC, or Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that is responsible for driving the adoption and use of health information technology (IT) across the healthcare industry. The ONC's primary goal is to promote the secure and interoperable exchange of electronic health information to improve healthcare outcomes, enhance patient care, and support public health initiatives. The ONC works collaboratively with various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, technology vendors, researchers, and policymakers, to establish standards, policies, and programs that facilitate the effective use of health IT. It also plays a key role in advancing the nationwide health IT infrastructure and promoting innovation in healthcare delivery.

PHI

PHI, or Protected Health Information, refers to any individually identifiable health information that is created, received, stored, or transmitted by a covered entity or business associate in the United States. PHI includes a broad range of data, such as medical records, lab results, diagnoses, treatment information, and payment details associated with an individual's healthcare. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), PHI is subject to strict privacy and security regulations to safeguard patient confidentiality. These regulations require healthcare organizations and their business associates to implement safeguards to protect PHI from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. PHI is a critical component of the healthcare ecosystem, and its protection is essential to maintain patient privacy and trust in the healthcare system.