What is ISO 13606-2:2014?

An Introduction to ISO 13606-2

ISO 13606-2:2014 is an international standard that specifies a set of communication protocols for exchanging electronic health records (EHRs). It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) with the aim of promoting interoperability and data exchange in healthcare systems.

Key Features and Benefits

ISO 13606-2 uses a standardized information model to ensure consistency and uniformity in the structure and content of EHRs. This allows different healthcare systems and applications to seamlessly exchange patient information, regardless of the underlying technology or software used.

One of the key benefits of ISO 13606-2 is its support for multilingual healthcare information. The standard provides mechanisms for representing language data, allowing healthcare providers to store and exchange records in multiple languages. This is particularly valuable in multicultural or multilingual healthcare settings.

Implementation Challenges

While ISO 13606-2 offers many advantages, its implementation can pose challenges for healthcare organizations. One major challenge is the need for system integration and interoperability. Implementing the standard requires adapting existing systems and infrastructure to comply with the protocols and information model specified in ISO 13606-2.

Another challenge is ensuring data security and privacy. ISO 13606-2 provides guidelines for protecting patient data during transmission and storage. However, healthcare organizations need to establish robust security measures and policies to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access or breaches.

The Future of ISO 13606-2

ISO 13606-2 continues to evolve with advancements in healthcare technology. The standard is being updated to address emerging needs and incorporate new concepts, such as the integration of genomics data into EHRs. This ongoing development ensures that ISO 13606-2 remains relevant and adaptable to future healthcare challenges.