CRISP HIE Adopts API Infrastructure to Boost Health Data Exchange

CRISP is now utilizing an API gateway within its HIE infrastructure to improve EHR interoperability and health data exchange.

By Kate Monica

July 27, 2018 - The Chesapeake Regional Information System (CRISP) health information exchange (HIE) recently adopted an application programming interface (API) gateway into its infrastructure to improve health data exchange and EHR interoperability for hospitals across Maryland, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

In a new white paper, CRISP detailed how the implementation of an API gateway within the Microsoft Azure cloud environment specifically improved health data exchange and use with help from consulting and software development solutions provider Leap Orbit and funding from the State of Maryland.

The new API-based infrastructure helped CRISP improve its ability to exchange discrete, relevant pieces of clinical data into clinical and administrative workflows. Providers will be able to use the API gateway to access CRISP’s alerts registry and future data repositories.

Additionally, the modernized infrastructure will help providers and health IT companies part of the CRISP network to engage in more seamless health data exchange while also maintaining and enhancing the security of API-based integration capabilities.

Since adopting the new infrastructure, CRISP has begun utilizing in-context alerts that deliver prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data, care alerts, overdose alerts, recent encounter data, public health alerts, and news directly into clinical workflows.

CRISP has also begun using a consolidated clinical document architecture (C-CDA) federator that compiles C-CDAs from a variety of sources, including local data sources and national networks such as Carequality.

The HIE is now able to deliver more discrete data to consumers, such as medication information.

“As of June 2018, the In-Context service has been the most widely deployed of the three services listed above,” stated CRISP officials. “As a result of this effort, critical information from the CRISP HIE is now directly embedded in the EHRs of thirty-seven out of the forty-seven hospitals across Maryland, with the last ten under development.”

Since implementing its in-context services in 2016, average monthly query volumes at the HIE have risen from 150,000 queries to 1.7 million, according to CRISP.

“This represents an over 1,000 percent increase in HIE data utilization in just over a year’s time,” noted CRISP officials.

In addition to PDMP data and care alerts, providers part of the CRISP network have also gained access to advanced directives, provider and care team attributions, care management program information, prior visit alerts, and alerts informing users of new functionality or system updates.

“The evolution to API-based interoperability has so far been a win for all of CRISP’s stakeholders,” wrote CRISP officials. “Physicians are receiving vital information to help better inform decision-making at the point of care. Patients are receiving better care with the hope it will ultimately improve their overall health status.”

Improvements in health data exchange and EHR-integrated alerts have also helped to improve care coordination and Medicare cost-savings on a state level, CRISP officials noted.

“With the backing of such powerful forces as health systems and the physician community, as well as the state, embarking on this API strategy has helped one of the nation’s leading HIEs strengthen its position in the market and become a vital force in Maryland’s healthcare ecosystem,” concluded HIE officials.

Reprinted from EHR Intelligence