Electronic Medical Record and IIS interoperability - Making Bidirectional interfaces work

Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
1) By the end of the presentation participants will be able to identify the steps necessary to implement a bidirectional interface.
2) By the end of the presentation participants will be able to anticipate barriers to bidirectional interfaces.
3) By the end of the presentation participants will be able to understand what is required in the Electronic Medical Records system to support a bidirectional interface.

Background:
Physicians are increasing investing in Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems and desire to have a collective immunization record in their own system. Immunization Information Systems frequently contain immunization data that is missing in the private provider's EMR.

Setting:
Private provider office, Hospital or Healthcare System and State Departments of Health

Population:
All age patients who receive immunizations

Project Description:
Clarian Arnett Health System (Arnett) is a hospital, health plan and physician network. Clarian Arnett has over 140 physicians, nurse practitioners, and other providers practicing in over 35 specialties using the Epic Electronic Medical Record system. Arnett desired to send data to the Childrens and Hoosiers Immunization Registry Program (CHIRP) and receive additional information on their patients back from CHIRP. Arnett sent historical immunization data from their billing system to CHIRP and then accepted data from CHIRP to initially populate their Epic EMR system. The providers within the Arnett system were the major force to see this effort to completion. Arnett is utilizing the complete patient immunization records to assist in a system wide quality initiative to improve immunization coverage rates for patients of all ages.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Not all EMR systems are capable of a bidirectional interface.
Immunization Information Systems can assist providers to populate their EMR system with historical data.
Arnett is utilizing the immunization information to conduct a system wide immunization quality initiative.
Provider support for bidirectional interfaces is valuable move bidirectional interfaces to completion.