Interoperability: collaborating beyond boundaries in a connected care ecosystem

door Nexuzhealth op 17.7.2025

Care doesn’t stop at the revolving doors of a hospital. Take a patient with diabetes, for example. They’re not only seen by an endocrinologist, but also by their general practitioner (GP), a home nurse, and perhaps even a pharmacist or dietitian. Each of these care providers needs access to the same, up-to-date information. But in practice, that’s still far from guaranteed.

True interoperability is about more than just connecting systems. It’s about trust, collaboration, and continuity of care.

 

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One care journey, one source of truth

In many care institutions, platforms and data sources remain fragmented. The challenge is clear: how do you ensure that all systems communicate without compromising on security or user-friendliness?
 
An interoperable electronic health record (EHR) is essential. It allows care providers to exchange information seamlessly — regardless of which system they’re using — and gives patients the peace of mind that their health data is being shared safely and consistently across care settings.

International standards as a foundation

To achieve this, an EHR must be built on solid foundations. The FAIR principles are central here. These principles state that data must be:
 
  • Findable, 
  • Accessible,
  • Interoperabel and
  • Reusable.

By adopting widely recognised standards like HL7, FHIR, SNOMED CT, and LOINC, data exchange becomes not only easier, but also more trustworthy and future-ready.

But interoperability doesn’t end with software. Medical devices like blood pressure monitors and glucose meters — often integrated through telemonitoring or wearable tech — also play a vital role. Thanks to standardized protocols such as IEEE 11073, these devices can securely transmit data directly into the EHR. This means that a patient’s vital signs are available in real time to all relevant caregivers — whether they’re in the hospital, at a clinic, or working in the field.

Smart collaboration put to practice

A great example of this approach comes from AZ Vesalius in Tongeren. Every day, Dutch patients cross the border to receive care there. Thanks to EHR integration, their medical records are automatically and securely forwarded to their GP back in the Netherlands — without any need for care teams to adjust their workflows. It’s a seamless model that keeps care coordinated and personalised, even across national borders.

Another strong example is the TOTeM project from AZ Sint-Blasius. Patients begin home rehabilitation just 48 hours after surgery, supported by remote monitoring. The collected data is sent directly to the EHR, allowing both specialists and GPs to intervene early when needed. The result? Shorter hospital stays and safe, efficient follow-up care beyond hospital walls.
 
AZ Vesalius
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AZ Vesalius

AZ Vesalius shares medical reports with Dutch GPs through EHR integration.

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AZ Sint-Blasius
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AZ Sint-Blasius

TOTeM enables patients to safely recover at home within 48 hours after surgery through telemonitoring.
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Building an interoperable future

In Belgium, initiatives to streamline data exchange are gaining traction — via the eHealth platform and regional health data vaults. At the European level, the upcoming European Health Data Space (EHDS) will soon add a new dimension to cross-border collaboration. The foundation? An EHR that’s ready for standardised, secure, and scalable data exchange — today and tomorrow.

That’s why it pays for healthcare institutions to choose partners and external platforms that are truly built for integration. Not as an extra layer or temporary fix, but as a structural reinforcement of care continuity.

Healthcare organisations that invest in interoperability are laying the groundwork for a model where the patient always comes first — regardless of where they are.By removing barriers, connecting systems, and delivering the right information to the right provider at the right moment, we make care more human, more efficient, and more secure.

Interoperability is just one pillar of the 3i framework. Curious how insights and integration can also help you strategically optimise your EHR? Download the free whitepaper and discover the full 3i-model.

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Topics: Digitalization

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