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What Do You Need to Know About Interoperability and Healthcare APIs?

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Healthcare APIs

The fundamental objective and concerns of the healthcare sector have always been to provide patients with high-quality care and treatment. Every year, new technology developments are introduced that further simplify the healthcare procedure. Interoperability is one of these more recent terms in the health ecosystem.

Interoperability: What Is It?

It hasn’t been simple to compel healthcare professionals to convert from paper to electronic health records. Interoperability was created as a result of the gaps and fragmented communication that resulted from this.

Interoperability is defined by HIMSS as the ability of various hardware, software, and information systems to reliably connect, access, share, and use data within and outside of the organizational boundary with authorized users.

Interoperability provides for connectivity and integrations in a safe and secure framework, making the data accessible for usage and sharing without the end-user interfering with the process, with the purpose of providing improved therapy to the patient.

Regardless of the practices, labs, healthcare providers, pharmacies, or hospitals, interoperability aims to provide the healthcare organization a comprehensive picture of the patient-related information.

In contrast to the past, HIMSS has identified four routes for data to interact inside a single healthcare setting:

FUNDAMENTAL:
As the name implies, fundamental interoperability is in charge of setting up the framework for data flow and exchange across various organizations. It establishes the fundamental conditions for information transmission and reception.

STRUCTURAL:
The structural interoperability determines how a data will be transported across the systems in order to preserve its integrity and provide security.

ORGANIZATIONAL:
Organizational interoperability, which consists of both organizational and technological elements, guarantees the secure, efficient, and timely interchange and consumption of information across the healthcare organization.

SEMANTIC:
Semantic interoperability enables the system to interchange, understand, and utilize the data by using both the structure and the coding of the data.

Although the motivation for this change is clear, interoperability has many more advantages.

TOP-NOTCH CARE:

Because the provider does not have complete patient-related information, the lack of an integrated healthcare IT system has caused significant delays in patient treatment. Interoperability, which allows for the visibility and availability of patient data including symptoms, medical billing history, problems, treatments, etc., aids in providing high-quality care. The care coordination improves the patient’s experience by relieving them of the responsibility of handling the majority of the administrative responsibilities.

IMPROVED SAFETY:
One of the major obstacles to a healthcare facility’s efficient operation is missing or incomplete data. Interoperability makes it easier for data to be captured and interpreted consistently across the healthcare system, reducing the chance of mistake. This will aid them even more in recognizing and avoiding the procedural error that causes the result error.

INFORMATION SYSTEM COHESIVE INTERACTION:
Interoperability has made it easier for patients and clinicians to obtain reliable public health data. Healthcare organizations have discovered a platform to educate the public about the impending health problem so that they are ready to address it via the exchange and analysis of data enabled by interoperability.

LOWER COST:
Time spent looking for and skimming through patient data is now saved because to interoperability’s capacity to simplify, share, and use data throughout the healthcare business. resulting in increased production and decreased healthcare costs.

PATIENT-DOCTOR PRIVACY IS MAINTAINED:

The clinical staff’s requirement to manually update the patient records was reduced thanks to an electronic data management system, lowering the risk of mistakes. Maintaining interoperability may help protect the right to patient-doctor confidentiality, which is often compromised by manual processing.

With application programming interfaces that let data transmission and communication across various information systems, interoperability enables the aforementioned advantages as well as additional ones.

Data transmission and reception between systems are made possible through API. This API makes it easier to build reports by updating individual records or supplying data in bulk.

Additionally, API enables accurate information synchronization between the facility, the insurance provider, and the provider of care in order to reduce delays in the course of treatment owing to time spent determining the patient’s eligibility for coverage.

Every department at a single healthcare institution is using data from a distinct electronic health record system, unlike the days of phone calls and fax machines. The data is dispersed throughout the many divisions due to the complexity of the healthcare industry.

Hospitals and doctors must have a comprehensive clinical picture of the patient, including their history, allergies, and problems, which has become foggy due to the proliferation of EHRs. API frameworks serve as a link between these diverse EHR systems and provide a useful data interchange across the healthcare system. As a result, you save a lot of time and money.

Since APIs are still in their infancy, there are a number of issues that must be resolved for improved results, including:

The absence of data standards in the healthcare industry and the availability of several technologies have increased the need for a tailored API for the varied services it offers to different systems.

The extract, convert, and load script will need to be updated as soon as new data sources are available, because technology is always changing. It becomes expensive and time-consuming as a result.

It may be difficult to ensure sufficient interchange and synchronization of complex healthcare data across various healthcare systems, which ultimately has an impact on the outcomes.

How can you make your organization’s healthcare system more interoperable?

It is crucial for providers to do research and develop solutions that improve connection across various healthcare organizations and healthcare exchange systems in light of the transformation to a value-driven healthcare environment.

Similar to this, you must promptly reevaluate the IT tools and strategies you have been using to ensure that they meet the demands of value-based care and foster interoperability at the structural, semantic, and fundamental levels.

To increase interoperability and provide more accurate and secure health data sharing, every procedure linked to patient health information, including data collecting, formatting, and conversion, should be standardized.

Although interoperability and API still have a way to go, all parts of the healthcare organization share equal responsibility for their success or failure.

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Destinations

The Best American Roads For Your New Convertible

We have compiled a list of the absolute best roads for letting the top down and living your best convertible life.

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Driving with the top down is one of the greatest thrills in life. You look cool, you feel cool and guess what, you are cool. You throw on your sunglasses and leather jacket and just cruise on down the open road in your sweet convertible that is the envy of every one of your friends.

But when you decide to ride with the top down you want to make sure you have something cool to look at. You don’t want to be cruising top-down amongst a bunch of smokestacks and pigeons. You’ll just be inhaling pollution and getting your head pooped on.

Instead, you need to find a beautiful place that will let mother nature do the rest of the heavy lifting when it comes to setting the perfect scene. That’s why we have compiled a list of the absolute best roads for letting the top-down and living your best convertible life.

ROAD TO HANA, HAWAII

The ultimate convertible destination is definitely Hawaii. These soft top cars were built to be driven around the picturesque island that is Hawaii. You’ll get the cool breeze in the warm weather and some spectacular views to match. You’ll be crossing bridges and cutting around curves all while getting some stunning views of the Hawaiian coast and the beautiful water. Say “sup” to some dolphins and play some rocking tunes as you partake in this awesome excursion.

OUTER BANKS HIGHWAY, NORTH CAROLINA

This is the perfect drive to be surrounded by water. You’ll have the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. You’ll blow by some awesome lighthouses, beaches, and see some spectacular wildlife that will hopefully not poop on your head. But if a bird does poop on your head on this drive you’ll be stoked because it will be poop from a beautiful bird that is local to North Carolina. You’ll say “oh yeah!” as you pull out a bandana to wipe your head off. Now you have a travel memento.

SONOMA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Take a drive through the wine country and enjoy the beauty of the vineyards amongst the rolling grassy hills that make up the Sonoma Valley. Just be careful when you decide to pull in to one of the many spectacular wineries for a glass or two because you don’t want to turn this convertible road trip into a night in the drunk tank. Be careful if you decide to partake in the wine, and maybe park the convertible and get a ride to the winery if you plan on doing some serious “tasting.”

BLUEBONNET TRAIL, TEXAS 

This drive is extremely beautiful thanks to the, you guessed it, Bluebonnet gardens that run alongside the road. You may not feel really rugged and cool driving through some flowers but it’s impossible to not be swept away by all the gorgeous views these flowers create. By the end of this trip, you’ll understand how a rugged person like yourself can still be swept away by the beauty of a flower and that’s totally okay. Go on this wonderful convertible drive to become a more well-rounded person.


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Destinations

Save Hundreds On Your Next Disneyland Trip With These Simple Tricks

It’s no secret that Disneyland is known as the happiest place on Earth, and for good reason! Thrilling rides and dazzling shows, immersive experiences and endless amounts of unbelievably delicious food. Everything you need for a fantastic vacation all in one place. All of these magical amenities come at a price, however, and quite a […]

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It’s no secret that Disneyland is known as the happiest place on Earth, and for good reason! Thrilling rides and dazzling shows, immersive experiences and endless amounts of unbelievably delicious food. Everything you need for a fantastic vacation all in one place. All of these magical amenities come at a price, however, and quite a steep one at that.

Tickets alone will run you over $100 a piece and on top of that, there are other things to account for like travel, lodging, food, and of course souvenirs. All these expenses adding up can really put a damper on your budget. 

Luckily for you, We’ve put together a list of tricks for saving money and getting the most out of your vacation!

 

1. Pack Smart

Unexpected factors like variable weather conditions can cause unnecessary expenses during your trip. So make sure you check the forecast for your destination so you don’t end up overpaying for last minute necessities like sunscreen, sweatshirts, or umbrellas. If you’re planning on enjoying the water rides, grab a poncho from the dollar store instead of paying $15 for one at the park.

 

2. Make A DIY Autograph Book

One of the best things about Disneyland is meeting your favorite characters and getting their autograph. It’s just another one of the many layers that make up a truly magical experience. What’s not so magical, however, is paying for all those odds and ends like the little notebooks dubbed “Autograph Books” sold at many places throughout the park.

 

They’ll run you between $15 and $20 each. It may not seem like much but it’s the little things like this that start to drain your budget, especially if you have a large family. Luckily you can make your own for less than $5. Just grab a notebook or journal from the dollar store and customize it with some markers, stickers, and glitter.

 

3. Use Shuttle Services

If you’re starting to see a theme here then you might have guessed that parking at the Happiest Place on Earth might leave you feeling a little deflated. Standard parking will cost you $25 and if you’re looking to get a head start with a spot near the entrance you’ll be forking over $50.

 

If you’ll be staying in the Anaheim area you’re in luck! Anaheim Resort Transportation offers day passes with lines running to Disneyland and they only cost $5.50 for adults and $2 for kids. And don’t forget to check with your hotel’s concierge as many properties near the park offer complimentary shuttle services.

 

4. Bring Your Own Stroller/Wheelchair

If you’re traveling with really little ones, and especially if your vacation is going to span several days, you’ll definitely want to bring a stroller. Of course, Disney thought of that too! You can rent one of their strollers for $15 a day. The same goes for wheelchairs. The park offers manual wheelchair rentals for $12 with a $100 deposit.

So don’t forget to bring your own strollers and wheelchairs. Your wallet will thank you.

 

5. Pack Your Own Snacks

As with anything else the Magic Kingdom has to offer, the food inside the park, though delicious, is not cheap. An average meal will cost between $20 and $25. Not to mention the inevitable snacks along the way like popcorn, churros, and cotton candy.

 

Sure, delicious treats are part of the fun of a vacation but you can lighten some of the strain on your budget by bringing your own snacks and eating breakfast before you hit the park. Disneyland and Disney World both allow you to bring in outside food and beverages (with some limitations) and most hotels in the area offer complimentary breakfast. Otherwise, book a room with a fridge so you can pack some cereal and milk or other easily prepared meals.

 

6. Book During The Offseason & Pick Value Days

Let’s be honest, Disneyland is always full of people but you can plan your trip around the park’s busiest times to avoid massive crowds and endless lines. Save on everything from lodging to airfare by visiting between mid-January through mid-March, mid-April through mid-May, or mid-September through mid-November – avoiding Halloween, of course. 

You can save even more by booking well in advance and checking for “value days” on the park’s calendar. Picking these dates for your vacation will save you $45 per ticket.

 

7. Bring Your Kids Before They Turn 3

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to plan your trip early, we’ve got one for you. Children under three get into both Disney Parks absolutely free. That will save you a whopping $140 at Disneyland and $124 at Walt Disney World. You can use those savings for some sweet souvenirs, closer parking, an upgraded hotel room, or a better flight.

 

8. Pick Up An Annual Pass

If you’re a serious Disney fan you may want to consider investing in an annual pass. They will cost you a bit up front but they pay for themselves within just a handful of visits. An annual pass gives you admission to both parks at Disneyland and all four parks at Walt Disney World. Not to mention the other perks pass holders get like standard parking and 20% off select merchandise and dining. 

 

 


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Guides

What You Need To Keep In Mind When Traveling For Your Nonprofit

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Traveling for a business or organization of any kind can be very stressful. There arer some people that thrive during business trips while others struggle. Getting into a flow during a trip is important if you make this trip regularly. You could be meeting with potential donors or other people that want to grow the nonprofit. Meeting someone physically is no longer required but when an individual is offering to donate a large sum of money, the extra mile is always recommended. You do not want to alienate a donor simply because you did not want to take a flight that would cost a few hundred dollars. Below are some of the things that you are going to need to keep in mind when traveling for your nonprofit. 

Communicating With Staff At Home 

Communication during and leading up to your trip is of paramount importance. You do not want everything to fall apart simply because you traveled for a few days. Assigning people additional tasks can be critical as you do not want a part of the nonprofit neglected. Volunteers can be crucial during these times as loyal volunteers might be more than willing to complete any tasks they are asked to do. 

The ability to finish work that you have in-house can be very important. Leading by example is a huge part of being a successful leader regardless of the organization that you are running. With technology being so advanced, you might be able to get all you have to get done remotely. In other cases, you need to delegate when you are traveling so everything does not unravel while you are gone. A good lead knows who to trust 

Keeping Your Expenses Organized

You want to make sure you keep expenses organized when it comes time for tax season. You want to ensure that the person handling the best nonprofit account software has the easiest time possible. Experience in accounting for a nonprofit can be so important when looking for employees or volunteers. 

Meeting With Current And Potential Donors 

You want to make sure that you meet with current and potential donors when in their city. Having the right materials for your nonprofit to showcase the work that is being done can be so important. You might even have to pitch your nonprofit as certain philanthropists want to ensure their money is going to a good cause. 

Enjoy A Bit Of Time To Enjoy Yourself During The Trip 

Taking a few hours to enjoy yourself during the trip is so important. Regardless of how passionate you are about your nonprofit, there are times when you simply need to unwind. Rejuvenating can allow you to be that much more passionate without worrying about burning yourself out. Take the time to research what you would like to do if exploring a new city.

Traveling for your nonprofit can be something you look forward to or dread. This is all about how you manage your time when you are traveling.

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