Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Understand the current Federal and private initiatives to promote healthcare system interoperability.
2. Understand key IIS functions that need to be preserved as providers move to comply with emerging national standards.
3. Identify strategies for providing they key functions in new and different ways, and see some examples of these functions in use around the country.

Background:
Immunization Information Systems have been at the forefront of health information exchange for years. More recently, the private healthcare community, spearheaded by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has begun to promote and enable healthcare data exchange and system interoperability. As pressure mounts on private providers to deploy certified EMRs and focus their users on those products, IISs run the risk of becoming data repositories only, and users may over time lose access to their distinctive features.

Setting:
N/A

Population:
N/A

Project Description:
IISs provide specialized functions not typically supported by commercial EMRs. This presentation will explore ways in which IISs can restore their synergy with provider systems and continue to provide their distinctive features to users. The difference between data and application integration will be discussed, as well the emerging RHIO phenomenon. The tension between commercial EMRs and IISs will also be examined, as well as new strategies for ensuring that IISs continue their important role in providing useful services to providers and patients.

Results/Lessons Learned:
IIS and Immunization Program managers will become more aware of emerging trends in system integration and interoperability, current system limitations, and some possible solutions for the future. Three key imperatives for public health agencies will be identified and discussed.