Interoperability ensures seamless and secure data exchange between health care systems. Interoperability improves care coordination, collaboration between health providers and patients’ access to and control over their health information. By breaking down data silos, it also reduces inefficiencies and redundancies within the health system.
Connection, collaboration and communication have never been more important for the health system. Increased use of virtual care has highlighted the need for safe and efficient electronic sharing of information across the circle of care. Continuing to improve Canadian health care will necessitate work in interoperability — connected systems are healthier systems.
In support of the provinces and territories, Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) is facilitating a national collaborative effort to advance interoperability. While there are many interoperability-related challenges, this specification refers to a set of standards and implementation guidelines developed to facilitate the interoperable exchange of healthcare information in Canada.
The pan-Canadian Core FHIR Profile Set (CA Core+) is based on the HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards. It is the expression of constraints in the pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework (pCHDCF) in the form of FHIR profiles. The CA Core+ specifications will include a core set of common data exchange profiles, extensions, and value sets as well as domain-specific profiles that offer constraints that are applicable under certain contexts (e.g., patient summary, long term care).
In parallel with CA Core+, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is facilitating a national collaborative effort by engaging Canadian health data and standards communities to continue developing the pCHDCF.
As standards in healthcare continue to evolve, it's important to refer to the latest versions of the CA Core + specifications and stay informed about updates and revisions to ensure compliance with current best practices.
For more information, please refer to the CA Core+ Interoperability Specifications.