Sponsored Article
Key Takeaways
- Transform Legacy Systems: Unlock the potential of true interoperability to overcome legacy limitations, enabling real-time data sharing and predictive analytics for enhanced patient care.
- Turn Compliance into a Competitive Advantage: Leverage upcoming regulations as opportunities to drive innovation and lead in patient-centric care.
- Fortify and Empower Your Ecosystem: Integrate advanced interoperability solutions to enhance patient engagement and secure your organization against cybersecurity threats.
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the most successful organizations aren’t those simply adopting the latest digital technologies — they’re the ones rethinking the very foundation of patient care. While many see interoperability as a technical necessity, the real breakthrough lies in recognizing it as the key to transforming how healthcare is delivered and experienced. Contrary to the common belief that technology is a support system, true interoperability reveals that the real power of healthcare lies in seamless communication, making technology the invisible thread that weaves together a truly patient-centric experience.
Challenging the Status Quo: Beyond Compliance to Competitive Advantage
As patient expectations shift and the push for personalized care intensifies, many view the rising tide of regulations as a burden. Yet, the savviest healthcare and payer executives understand that these regulations — like the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule — are not just compliance checkboxes but catalysts for innovation. Rather than seeing them as hurdles, forward-thinking leaders recognize that these mandates are driving forces that can propel their organizations ahead of the curve, turning regulatory pressures into strategic advantages. The real challenge isn’t in meeting these requirements but in leveraging them to bridge the gap between outdated processes and the future of value-based healthcare.
Infor: Leading the Charge in Interoperability
Infor stands at the forefront of healthcare interoperability, co-creating industry standards and establishing itself as a trusted partner for healthcare organizations. Data standards and standardization establish uniform protocols for information exchange across diverse systems, ensuring that data is consistently accessible, interoperable and secure. In healthcare, these standards are crucial for enabling seamless communication, which directly impacts the quality and continuity of patient care. By ensuring that disparate systems are seamlessly integrated, Infor equips healthcare providers with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Recently, Infor collaborated with Reworked on an in-depth study and webinar to explore the challenges and perceptions surrounding interoperability. In this analysis, Amanda Merritt, senior director of product management at Infor, shed light on the pivotal role standards play in patient-centric care, the multifaceted complexities of modern healthcare and how Infor’s solutions empower healthcare leaders to stay ahead of current and future regulatory demands.
The Indispensable Role of Standards in Patient-Centric Care
As the volume of digitized patient records continues to soar and patients transition across various healthcare providers, the need for standardized file formats across systems becomes increasingly critical. Standardization is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a strategic enabler that reduces manual data handling, minimizes errors and drives efficiencies — ultimately enhancing the quality of patient care.
- Upcoming Regulatory Mandates: Regulations such as the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule and the 2025 updates to the ONC’s Cures Act Final Rule bring forth stringent standardization requirements that demand sophisticated solutions.
- Infor’s Leadership in Standardization: Infor plays a pivotal role in advancing these standardization efforts. “We actively participate in the HL7 DaVinci Project, collaborating with vendors, providers, payers, and other stakeholders to tackle the most challenging use cases in the industry,” Merritt explained. “We don’t just participate; we lead, investing in, writing and testing the standards that will shape the future of healthcare.”
Regulatory Bodies and Industry Collaboration
Standards are shaped by both industry leaders and regulatory bodies. Collaboration with Governing Entities like CMS and other authoritative organizations is crucial in defining what health information can be shared and how it should be standardized. “Regulatory entities are increasingly pushing for these standards, particularly in connecting to qualified health information networks,” Merritt noted. “Our efforts are now focused on delineating what health information can be shared and establishing the standards that will drive this connectivity.”
Complexities Demand an Interoperability Solution
In today’s healthcare landscape, the limitations of legacy systems become increasingly apparent as they struggle to connect with modern tools and technologies. These constraints not only hinder innovation but also pose significant challenges in addressing critical issues such as security, compliance, and delivering patient-centric care. According to Infor research, 56% of healthcare leaders identify integrating data from IoT devices to enhance patient care as a key driver for investing in advanced interoperability solutions.
Legacy systems often create the illusion of interoperability through proprietary connections, but this falls short of true integration. The Reality of Legacy Systems: “Legacy systems can’t achieve true interoperability, despite appearing to do so through proprietary connections,” Merritt explained. This lack of genuine connectivity hinders the seamless exchange of information, which is essential for modern healthcare delivery.
The Power of Real-Time Data Sharing
The primary advantage of advanced interoperability lies in its ability to enable real-time sharing of patient records. This capability supports predictive analytics and ensures that records are updated instantly, allowing tools and technologies to function at their highest potential. A Holistic Approach: “We approach interoperability with a comprehensive perspective on patient engagement,” Merritt emphasized. “Every aspect of our work focuses on achieving seamless integration.”
Infor’s commitment to interoperability extends beyond patient data to encompass the entire healthcare ecosystem. Supply Chain Management Integration: “We also consider supply chain management,” Merritt added. “This includes knowing what’s available in the operating room, understanding surgical requirements and tracking inventory. Our holistic approach covers the entire continuum of healthcare, supported by our ability to manage significant data growth and facilitate the predictive analytics organizations need.”
Infor’s Edge in Regulation and Compliance
Navigating the ever-changing landscape of healthcare regulations is a formidable challenge for providers. From maintaining HIPAA compliance to adhering to federal initiatives like the 2026 Nationwide Health Information Exchange expansion and managing state-specific regulations such as Illinois’ recent prior authorization reform bill, the complexity is immense. Infor research indicates that 63% of healthcare leaders prioritize improving regulatory compliance when considering investments in interoperability solutions.
Conference
Sep
16
HR Tech Conference Las Vegas 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
A Trusted Partner in Compliance: Infor stands ready to streamline data sharing while ensuring regulatory adherence. “Regulatory changes and initiatives aimed at enhancing data sharing and transparency are constant,” Merritt stated. “Interoperability engines must adapt and comply with current regulations, which is where Infor excels. We prepare organizations for these trends and offer comprehensive solutions supporting modern standards like FHIR. Our cloud-based platforms efficiently manage growing data volumes and incorporate the advanced analytics necessary for integrating AI and machine learning models.”
Data Security at the Forefront
As organizations focus on regulatory compliance, the importance of data security cannot be overstated. The healthcare industry is increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, threatening the timely and effective delivery of patient care. Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats: “Cybersecurity threats are exacerbating the challenge of real-time data sharing,” Merritt highlighted. “Beyond HIPAA, securing data movement throughout the healthcare ecosystem is critical. Continuous system updates are vital for protecting against cybersecurity threats.”
The integration of advanced technologies and AI introduces new complexities, but it also creates opportunities for greater patient engagement. Empowering Patients Through Connectivity: “Our platform empowers patients and provides organizations with the patient-centric view they require,” Merritt noted. This connectivity is crucial for delivering the personalized care that today’s patients demand.
The Consequences of Inaction
Failing to implement robust interoperability solutions has tangible and severe consequences. According to Infor research, 94% of organizations report that gaps in interoperability hinder their ability to make swift, informed decisions regarding patient care. Addressing Critical Issues: “Compromised patient care is a critical issue that must be addressed,” Merritt urged. “We must focus on following established standards and utilizing connections in a patient-centric manner across the healthcare ecosystem.”
True Compliance Begins With Connectivity
For organizations still reliant on legacy systems, the path forward begins with a thorough assessment of organizational needs. Engagement and Investment: It is imperative to engage with clinicians, IT teams, biomed experts and other stakeholders to determine the necessary investments that will make data sharing and patient-centricity a reality.
Learn more about the Cloverleaf Interoperability Platform at infor.com.
