The cost of interoperability solutions is on the rise. Healthcare providers now have to connect their EHR to an ever-increasing number of information systems and devices. The demands of the Interoperability Rule and patient access also make it essential for small and mid-sized providers to develop efficient and affordable interface portal solutions. However, CIOs don’t have to remain overwhelmed by interoperability challenges. There are new ways to develop affordable data integration solutions. Below, we’ll be looking at how to build and deploy an interoperability solution within your budget.
1. Create a Detailed Interface Requirements List
One efficient way to reduce the cost of development is to create an exhaustive product requirements list. Define the scope of your project and add all possible scenarios, use cases, and options to curtail all unexpected spending in the future. Your project requirements and costs must include planning, assessment of information systems and devices to interface with, message processing, testing, documentation, training, final deployment, and maintenance.
2. Blend In-house and Outsourced Talent
The skillset required to create an effective interface portal has changed over the years. With the ever-expanding number of information sources and destinations, it isn’t easy to find a provider to hire and keep all the talent needed.
For this reason, it is better to share the talent requirements between in-house and outsourced teams or consultants. You can optimize the cost of development by maintaining a balance between outsourced tasks and in-house development.
Some of the expertise you may need to hire outsourced talent for include:
- Creation or adaptation of an integration engine
- Migration of data from legacy databases
- Connection to devices using old technology
- Quality assurance
- Project management
You should hire and keep in-house talent to develop and maintain interfaces after the main interface engine has been deployed.
3. Develop the Essential Features First
While it is vital to create a detailed list of requirements, you should not attempt to build a massive interface engine at once. Focus on building a viable solution with the essential features.
To achieve this, you need to list out your connectivity requirements in order of preference. This principle is known as lean development, and it involves building your interface engine or portal in versions.
After you measure the results of each version, you can add new features and link up more systems and devices.
4. Opt for Proven Technologies
Choose your tech stack and tools with utmost care. The development tools you choose for your interface development will directly impact the cost of development. Avoid reinventing the wheel. Look out for customizable interfaces or interoperability engines that can speed up development and reduce the number of hours you need to build new interfaces.
5. Work With an Interface Development Expert
Interface development is complex. It takes a team with decades of combined experience to create the engine that provides seamless connectivity between healthcare information systems.
Working with an expert allows you to leverage this experience and avoid making costly mistakes. Interface experts can help you to design and deploy a platform for your developers to build new interfaces as the need arises.
See a Live Demo of an Affordable Interface Portal
Contact Lifepoint Informatics today at 877.522.8378 to book a free demo session and see an affordable integration solution at work. Visit our contact page now to discuss your healthcare interoperability needs.