We take an incremental approach to change, believing that semantic interoperability, while difficult to achieve, is essential and is possible when built on a solid foundation that respects the integrity of the clinical record and clinical processes.

Standards are the foundation of health IT interoperability and data standards are the most essential. We have watched interoperability gain ground around the world, and we consistently see that the architecture of exchange will continue to evolve, but the data itself can and should remain stable.

The investment in clinical data capture and management by providers must survive the inevitable changes in applications, communications and exchange protocols. Clinical data is the largest investment that a provider makes and should be sufficiently robust and application independent to remain usable over time, serving multiple demands.