Why is there a need to enable clinical interoperability?
Physicians - to date - have been limited in their ability to electronically exchange clinical messages with each other. Such exchange has typically been conducted within regional networks operated by IDNs and HIEs and networks operated by EMR providers. Outside of this context, clinical message exchange - when conducted - is done using fax, phone and paper, often far after a patient encounter is complete. With the introduction of Meaningful Use requirements, the need to solve this communication gap on a national basis has intensified.
