How to Improve Interoperability in Healthcare: Proven Strategies for 2026

Outdated infrastructure, fragmented standards, and inconsistent data quality continue to undermine clinical decision-making. Regulatory pressure is rising, yet organizations often lack the architecture, skills, and governance needed to meet evolving expectations.

Many leaders face a difficult reality: they know interoperability is essential for patient-centered care, but the path to achieving it is complex, expensive, and filled with operational hurdles.

In this article, we take a clear, practical look at what interoperability really means for healthcare providers and why it remains so hard to get right. We explore the standards and regulatory requirements, the common pitfalls that slow progress, practical tips on how to improve interoperability in healthcare, and the strategies that can actually move healthcare organizations forward.

Let’s dive in.

Key takeaways

• Interoperability is essential in 2026 but still difficult due to legacy systems, data silos, and inconsistent standards for health and human services.
• Modern interoperability requires usable, structured data that moves smoothly across all systems and care settings.
• HL7 FHIR, SMART on FHIR, USCDI, TEFCA, and EHDS form the core framework for compliant data exchange and proper integration with existing systems.
• The most effective improvements come from modern APIs, strong data governance, iPaaS platforms, and patient-centered data access.
• AI, cloud-native platforms, blockchain, and edge computing strengthen data sharing when the underlying data is clean and governed.
• Better interoperability leads to better outcomes, lower costs, stronger security, and richer analytics for health providers.
• The industry is shifting toward cloud-first, API-driven architectures that support truly connected, patient-led care.

What Does Interoperability in Healthcare Really Mean in 2026?

In 2026, interoperability in healthcare means that clinical, operational, and patient-generated data can flow seamlessly across systems, settings, and organizations, AND remain usable at every step.

It goes beyond simple data exchange. Today, interoperability is about creating a connected ecosystem where information supports decision-making, coordinated care, and more efficient operations.

Modern interoperability reflects a shift in healthcare itself. Health systems are moving toward value-based care models supported by better governance from bodies like the World Health Organization, where outcomes and patient safety matter as much as individual encounters.

To support this shift, data must be consistent, structured, and meaningful across electronic health records, analytics platforms, patient apps, registries, and public health systems.

Instead of point-to-point integrations, organizations now aim for unified data layers, shared standards, and workflows that adapt to new clinical needs. Interoperability also includes:

• near-real-time data access;
• the ability to combine multiple data sources;
• the capacity to surface insights directly within clinicians’ tools.

In 2026, interoperability is the foundation for patient-centric experiences, proactive population health management, and more responsive digital transformation across healthcare.

The Four Levels of Healthcare Interoperability
Level	Name	What It Means	Examples
1	Foundational	Basic, secure data transfer without interpretation.	Emails, PDFs, simple file exchange
2	Structural	Standardized data formats for consistent input/output across systems.	HL7, HL7 FHIR, structured text, codes, images
3	Semantic	Shared vocabularies ensure data has the same meaning across systems. This is where semantic interoperability and standardized coding systems become essential.	ICD-10, LOINC, SNOMED CT
4	Organizational	Governance, policies, and trust frameworks enabling seamless cross-organization exchange.	TEFCA, ONC rules, data-sharing agreements

Why Is Interoperability Still a Challenge for Healthcare Organizations?

As we see in practice, interoperability remains difficult because healthcare systems, data practices, and regulations are complex and unevenly implemented. Even with modern standards, many organizations still face technical, operational, and compliance barriers.

Here are the main pitfalls (from our experience).

Outdated EHR and legacy IT systems

Legacy systems were not built for modern APIs or shared data models. They limit organizations’ ability to support new standards, integrations, and workflows. As a result, it is costly and time-consuming to upgrade interoperability in healthcare without proper expertise.

Fragmented data standards and data silos

A lack of consistent data standards continues to slow progress. Different systems interpret data differently, creating gaps and inconsistencies. Data silos deepen the problem by keeping clinical and operational data locked in separate applications or departments, preventing a unified patient view.

Poor data quality

At the same time, issues like duplicated medical records, inconsistent coding, and missing fields reduce trust in exchanged data. Even if systems are connected, poor laboratory data quality undermines the value of interoperability.

Legacy systems were not built for modern APIs or shared data models. These outdated information technology systems limit organizations’ ability to support new standards, integrations, and workflows.

Compliance and privacy requirements

Frameworks such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) require strict security, consent management, and auditing. These protections are essential for timely and seamless portability, but they also add operational and technical complexity to every integration effort.

High cost of integration and required skills

Interoperability demands investment in interfaces, data mapping, monitoring, and staff training. Many organizations lack the budget or specialized skills to support ongoing integration work.

Organizational and vendor barriers

Interoperability also requires aligned priorities and collaboration. Disparate systems, long-standing workflows, and vendor limitations can slow decision-making and restrict open data exchange.

These combined challenges explain why to improve interoperability in medical organizations, you need a long-term effort rather than an immediate achievement.

What Standards and Regulations Shape Healthcare Interoperability Today?

What is the best advice on how to improve healthcare interoperability? The answer is to use widely adopted frameworks and policies that define how data should be structured, exchanged, and protected.

We’ll list the most common and the most important ones. However, in practice, we always check additional regulatory requirements depending on the client's needs, location, software features, etc. These standards create a common foundation that helps unify healthcare information and simplify integration across systems.

HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) and SMART on FHIR (Substitutable Medical Applications, Reusable Technologies)

HL7 integration and FHIR establish a modern, standardized data format that makes clinical information easier to exchange and interpret. SMART on FHIR adds a secure, unified approach to authentication and authorization, allowing apps to access EHR data in a compliant, auditable way. Together, they support consistent data-sharing practices across vendors and care settings.

USCDI (United States Core Data for Interoperability) and TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement) – U.S.

USCDI defines the minimum clinical data elements that must be available for exchange. TEFCA provides a nationwide framework for trusted data sharing, ensuring organizations follow consistent rules for privacy, security, and access.

These initiatives are overseen by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), which also enforces the 21st Century Cures Act Final Rule – a policy designed to expand patient access and prevent information blocking.

Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized rules that require payers and providers to support interoperability and patient access APIs.

European Health Data Space (EHDS) – EU

The European Health Data Space defines how patient information can be accessed and governed across EU member states. It also outlines how organizations should represent patient data consistently to support research, analytics, and care delivery.

EHDS is also pushing organizations toward stronger data governance and more transparent data-sharing practices.

API-first architecture and open data initiatives

API-first design encourages systems to expose data through secure and reusable interfaces, making it easier to comply with regulations that mandate patient access and data transparency. When combined with open data initiatives, API-first design supports consistent audit logs, access controls, and a unified data exchange schema, all of which simplify compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and national interoperability rules.

Across regions, these standards and frameworks help healthcare organizations meet rising compliance expectations for privacy, security, and patient access. When implemented well, regulatory alignment not only supports safer data exchange but also improves care coordination and operational efficiency.

Which Proven Strategies Can Improve Healthcare Interoperability?

The best way to improve interoperability in healthcare organizations is to integrate modern technologies with robust governance, standardized processes, and ongoing collaboration. If this sounds vague, let's look at each important step in more detail.

Adopt modern APIs and FHIR-based interfaces

Aligning with standards such as HL7 FHIR is the first and one of the most effective steps toward better interoperability. For instance, all the reliable headless EHRs like Medplum are FHIR-native.

Modern APIs make it easier for EHRs, medical devices, and third-party applications to exchange structured data in real time. Organizations can also reduce integration costs by using SMART on FHIR for consistent authentication and authorization across systems.

Invest in strong data governance frameworks

Clear data governance ensures that information is accurate, accessible, and secure. This includes defining ownership, access controls, audit logs, and patient consent processes.

Strong frameworks help align with national interoperability programs and international policies for safe data sharing, such as HIPAA, GDPR, ONC, and CMS interoperability rules. It supports safer data sharing practices across the care continuum.

Use integration platforms (iPaaS)

Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solutions streamline connections between EHRs, scheduling tools, billing systems, and analytics platforms. They provide reusable connectors, data mapping, and workflow automation, reducing the burden on internal IT teams. iPaaS can also support legacy modernization by helping older systems communicate through standardized APIs.

Prioritize patient-centered data sharing

Improving interoperability requires placing patients at the center of data exchange. This includes offering easy access to personal health records, supporting patient-generated data, and establishing clear consent workflows. When patients can see, share, and control their health information, trust increases and care coordination improves.

Collaborate with vendors and regulators

Consistent communication with EHR vendors, integration partners, and regulatory bodies helps organizations stay aligned with evolving standards and reporting requirements. Joint planning sessions, open APIs, and shared implementation playbooks reduce fragmentation and accelerate progress.

An internal interoperability task force can also help identify gaps, gather feedback, and plan continuous improvement.

Invest in training, change management, and continuous monitoring

Successful interoperability depends on people as much as technology. Training clinical and technical teams ensures they understand new workflows, standards, and tools.

Unified clinical communication platforms can reduce fragmentation across departments. Analytics dashboards can then track data quality, system performance, and adoption trends to guide future improvements.

How Can Emerging Technologies Boost Interoperability?

Emerging technologies improve interoperability in healthcare and define how facilities exchange, validate, and use data. These are the tools that strengthen data consistency, improve system performance, and support real-time collaboration across clinical and operational environments.

AI for data mapping and semantic matching

Artificial Intelligence helps automate data mapping, terminology alignment, and semantic matching across systems that use different formats or coding standards, such as ICD-10 and SNOMED CT. Machine Learning models can identify patterns, clean data, and reduce manual reconciliation.

It makes exchanges more accurate and consistent. AI also supports HIEs by improving the quality and structure of incoming data. These tools are increasingly used by data scientists to clean, harmonize, and standardize clinical information.

Blockchain for audit trails and trust

Blockchain creates immutable audit trails that track when data is accessed, shared, or updated. This transparency increases trust across organizations and supports compliance with privacy regulations.

Blockchain technology can also enable secure identity management, helping ensure that only authorized systems and users participate in data exchange.

Cloud-native platforms for real-time data sharing

Cloud-native systems improve healthcare interoperability through scalable infrastructure and enable real-time data sharing across locations, devices, and care settings. They support modern APIs, FHIR-based interfaces, and secure data storage.

Cloud platforms also make it easier to deploy unified communication tools that consolidate messages, alerts, and clinical updates while maintaining consistent data formats.

Edge computing for faster data exchange in remote care

Edge computing reduces latency by processing data closer to where it is generated, such as in home monitoring devices or critical access hospitals, improving reliability in rural and remote environments. When combined with cloud services and FHIR APIs, edge computing helps maintain consistent, standardized data flows even in bandwidth-limited environments.

What Are the Measurable Benefits of Improved Interoperability?

Improved interoperability delivers clear, measurable results. It affects care coordination, administrative burdens, and data ecosystems. Let’s take a closer look at its main benefits/

Better patient outcomes and reduced readmission rates

When clinicians have timely, complete patient information, they can make more informed decisions. This reduces medical errors, prevents duplicate testing, and supports more accurate treatment plans. All of these factors, in combination, contribute to lower readmission rates and better long-term outcomes.

Cost savings through reduced duplication

Interoperable systems minimize redundant diagnostics, manual chart reviews, and repeated data entry. It reduces unnecessary tests and administrative work, so organizations can redirect resources to higher-value clinical activities and operational improvements.

Streamlined workflows and automation

Consistent data exchange supports workflow automation across scheduling, billing, enhancing care coordination, and population health reporting. Staff spend less time searching for patient records or reconciling inconsistencies, leading to faster turnaround times and reduced burnout.

Stronger compliance and data security

Interoperability frameworks encourage consistent audit trails, access controls, and standardized data handling. They make healthcare integration safer and seamless.

This helps organizations comply with regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, ONC, and CMS rules. Stronger governance also reduces the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.

Improved patient access and engagement

When patients can easily view and share their health information, they become more active participants in their care. This leads to better adherence, improved satisfaction, and greater transparency in healthcare delivery.

More reliable analytics and population health insights

Interoperable and comprehensive data enables accurate reporting, quality measurement, and predictive analytics. Organizations gain a clearer view of clinical trends, risk factors, and care gaps, supporting more effective population health management.

What Should Healthcare Leaders Prioritize in 2026 and Beyond?

Generally speaking, healthcare leaders should focus on long-term strategies that create sustainable, scalable interoperability. This requires clear governance, modern infrastructure, and consistent collaboration across clinical, technical, and regulatory domains. Here’s the list of things to pay attention to.

Build an interoperability task force

A dedicated task force can define priorities, assess system gaps, and coordinate efforts across departments. This group should own the implementation roadmap, monitor progress, and maintain alignment with evolving standards and regulations.

Strengthen continuous staff training and change management

Interoperability succeeds only when people understand and adopt new workflows. Ongoing training, clear communication, and structured change-management programs help clinicians, administrators, and IT teams use interoperable tools effectively and consistently.

Invest in open, flexible platforms

Open platforms that support modern APIs, FHIR interfaces, and modular architecture reduce future integration challenges. These systems make it easier to add new applications, connect external partners, and support data exchange in real time as standards mature.

Prioritize security and zero-trust architectures

As data exchange expands, so do security risks. Leaders should adopt zero-trust principles, continuous monitoring, and strong identity and data management. Enhanced audit trails, encrypted APIs, and role-based access controls help ensure regulatory compliance and protect patient data across cloud, on-premises, and edge environments.

Partner with innovative and collaborative vendors

Working with vendors who prioritize open APIs, transparent governance, and compliance can accelerate progress. Strategic partnerships help organizations adopt new capabilities faster and stay aligned with regulatory expectations and healthcare industry best practices.

Conclusion: What’s Next for Connected Healthcare?

The interoperability solutions market, valued at $4–5 billion today, is set to more than triple in the next decade. North America still holds the largest share, but Europe and Asia-Pacific are catching up quickly. Hospitals lead adoption, yet ambulatory care, payers, and virtual care models are driving new demand for flexible, scalable data and health information exchange.

A few patterns stand out:

• Services dominate today (about 55–56% share), yet software and platform solutions are gaining momentum.
• On-premise still leads, but the future is cloud-first. Some 2025 forecasts show 60–65% cloud adoption driven by scalability, integration needs, and lower upfront cost.
• Key enablers such as FHIR, cloud infrastructure, analytics, and AI/ML continue to accelerate interoperability efforts.

The move from on-premise to cloud-first systems is accelerating. Software and platform solutions are also gaining ground, signaling a transition from monolithic EHRs to API-driven, modular ecosystems.

Challenges remain. Integration is complex, privacy expectations are rising, and skilled health IT talent is limited. Governments are enforcing interoperability requirements, health systems are prioritizing data fluidity, and patients expect their health data to move as easily as it does in banking, travel, or retail.

What’s next is a more connected, patient-led healthcare ecosystem. The one where data and medical history move freely across providers, devices, and care settings. As cloud adoption expands and headless, API-first architectures mature, organizations will no longer be restricted by the limitations of their EHR interface. Instead, they’ll be able to design the clinician workflows and patient experiences they truly want.

Foundational interoperability is a must.  Connected, personalized, intelligent care is the destination. And that future is already taking shape.

FAQ

1. What is the main goal of healthcare interoperability?

   The main goal of healthcare interoperability is to ensure that patient health information can move seamlessly and securely across different systems, organizations, and care settings while remaining meaningful and usable. This supports better clinical decisions, coordinated patient care, and improved patient and health outcomes.

2. What are the biggest barriers to interoperability?

   Common barriers include outdated EHR systems, inconsistent data standards, fragmented data silos, high integration costs, poor data quality, and complex regulatory requirements. Organizational and public health challenges, such as limited training, unclear governance, and vendor restrictions, also slow progress.

3. What technologies are helping achieve interoperability today?

   Wide technical capabilities, modern APIs, HL7 FHIR, SMART on FHIR, cloud platforms, AI-driven data mapping, integration engines, and unified communication tools all play major roles. Blockchain and edge computing are emerging contributors to electronic health information, offering stronger security, auditability, and faster healthcare data exchange to achieve true interoperability.

4. How can hospitals start improving interoperability?

   Hospitals can begin by aligning with modern standards (HL7 FHIR), adopting API-first systems, strengthening data governance in health care, and modernizing legacy infrastructure.

   Creating an internal task force in the healthcare space, partnering with collaborative vendors, and training staff on new workflows are also essential steps. These actions provide a practical foundation for how to improve interoperability in medical organizations.