Interoperability – just a buzzword?
From popular Excel, to established Allocate and super-modern Rotageek we Link with all!
There is a lot of talk within the healthcare technology industry about interoperability, the way in which different software platforms communicate data between one another. This is due to a long history of healthcare organisations needing to use several different pieces of software, for several different purposes, but a lot of the data is common and valuable to be seen and used elsewhere other than just within its ‘own’ platform.
Interoperability is a good thing for several reasons. Rather than manually transferring data from one platform to another, why shouldn’t it be transferred automatically? Doctors on the wards opening up one platform for notes and having to look in another for blood results; why can’t they both be seen in a common area? It saves time and money, increases accuracy through reducing human error and ultimately improves patient care.
We believe that this is an integral part of any piece of healthcare technology that wants to sustainably integrate into the modern NHS and truly help its partner organisations. For this reason, we have developed Link, the nation's first interoperability hub, for the NHS. This allows our clients to access multiple links to other technology which would benefit from sharing the content entered into our platform, or vice versa.
A perfect example is our API link with rostering services provided by Rotageek. Any gap within a rota produced using Rotageek is automatically sent to the Locum’s Nest system, via Link, and is shared with our 30,000+ strong community of healthcare professionals with one click. Once filled, the information feeds back in and populates the rota. Most importantly, through Link, the hospital is in total control of the integration between the systems! Time saved for rota teams, increased fill rates for vacant shifts and in turn money saved for the organisation.
Amongst others, we also have an exciting upcoming integration with Allocate software which is used widely in the NHS to organise staff. This is part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable integration and interoperability. Link illustrates the outcome of our interoperability commitments by seamlessly integrating all core systems such as rostering, payroll, agency and bank services into one function and will continue to bring new features as we keep on bridging all technological gaps. Because a one-size fits all system cannot be the answer, we offer our customers a bespoke solution by enabling them to customise features to suit their organisation’s needs.
So, interoperability, just a buzzword? We don’t think so. By harnessing the power of interoperability, software suppliers can make a real difference for the NHS, its people and its patients.