Challenges for the Development of Interoperable Information Systems in Healthcare Organizations

A major challenge for Information Systems design and management within healthcare units is the need to accommodate the complexity and changeability in terms of their clinical protocols, technology, business and administrative processes. Interoperability is the response to these demands but there are many ways to achieve an “interoperable” information system. In this paper we address the requirements of a healthcare interoperability framework to enhance enterprise architecture interoperability of healthcare organizations, while maintaining the organization’s technical and operational environments, and installed technology. The paper advocates the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) in dealing with challenges posed by the need to achieve healthcare interoperability at the different layers, and in developing and executing an interoperability strategy, which must be aligned with the health organization’s business, administrative and clinical processes.