Orion Health, a developer of health information exchanges, and Health Language Inc., which specializes in mapping the myriad medical terms for the same concepts to a single terminology, have joined forces after working together on Maine's statewide HIE. This is an approach we might see more of.

Health information exchanges have so far used a central repository model, a federated, peer-to-peer approach, or some combination of the two to locate data. That's fine for viewing information, but when it comes to pushing data from one information system to another, we're still largely stuck with care summaries--such as the CCD, or HL7 messages--that don't completely convey the content of data.

One way to break down the silos is to use what's called "semantic interoperability." Under this approach, synonymous terms, codes, and classification systems are linked together so that transmitted information is understandable not only to computers, but also to humans.

Health Language Inc. (HLI) maps 100 different lexicons--including SNOMED, the most comprehensive classification system--to a standard terminology. It also allows the integration of terms used in particular sections of the country, so that physicians can continue to use the terms they feel comfortable with.

HLI's technology will automate the use of its standard terms in Orion Health's HIE, providing a single platform for managing all of the disparate terminologies found in a healthcare enterprise or a medical community.

"Our HIE solution will gain a clear market advantage by taking advantage of the Language Engine's ability to integrate and manage the latest medical terminologies," Paul Viskovich, president of Orion Health North America, said according to a press release. "It will also strengthen the interoperable use of accurate medical data, support HIPAA compliance, and improve the completeness and accuracy of information."

To learn more:
- read the story in Healthcare IT News
- see the press release

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