When it comes to clinical surveillance, speed is essential. When patient data can be pulled from an electronic medical record quickly and sorted using a clinical surveillance platform, pharmacists, physicians, and others who are responsible for patient care can make good best decisions. Alerts can be given that indicate that a medication is not appropriate for the patient, that an infection has broken out, or that antibiotics are being used inappropriately.
Most healthcare systems used to transfer data from electronic medical records to outside solutions. However, there are various disadvantages associated with this technique. For one thing, it could cause confusion since data could be interpreted in various ways. Second, that approach required a lot of money and time because interfaces needed to be built and maintained. Finally, the IT departments in hospitals had to use much of their time validating data to make sure it was exchanged properly.
A better approach is used now. When an API approach is used with a clinical surveillance platform, hospital IT departments do not spend as much of their time validating clinical surveillance. There is also the benefit of reduced costs. Hospitals do not need to build interfaces or maintain them. They don’t have to monitor file transfers. They no longer need to work with outside consultants who can help them use the system.
The goal is always to offer the patient better care. This is what is accomplished with an API approach. There are faster implementations, which protect patients and make the lives of doctors and hospital staff easier.
