health IT standards

Health IT standards are established guidelines that ensure different health information technologies can effectively communicate and share data. These standards help healthcare providers, systems, and devices work together smoothly, improving patient care and safety. For example, they enable electronic health records (EHRs) from one hospital to be understood by another, facilitating better coordination among caregivers. By standardizing formats, codes, and protocols, health IT standards contribute to better data exchange, ultimately enhancing healthcare outcomes and streamlining administrative processes.