Visitors to the IHE HIMSS08 Interoperability Showcase participate in a clinical scenario demonstration.

The HIMSS09 Interoperability Showcase is the premier forum highlighting the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise’s (IHE) common framework. If your organization has not participated in past Showcases, it is missing a truly unique opportunity to showcase your organization’s commitment to healthcare interoperability.

The HIMSS08 Interoperability Showcase in Orlando Florida demonstrated multiple U.S. health information exchanges (HIEs/RHIOs) using clinical scenarios. At its U.S-based conferences, HIMSS partners with many government-sponsored activities including CAQH, DOD, HISTP, VA and many others to demonstrate the breadth and depth of work occurring within and between organizations. At its conferences on other continents, HIMSS also partners with relevant health ministries and other organizations demonstrating interoperability in those regions. [To learn more, visit links to Showcases in Asia and Europe].

The clinical scenarios in the HIMSS08 U.S Showcase focused on clinician and patient access and information sharing across the full continuum of care and also highlighted the IHE framework for delivering interoperability across local, regional and national health information networks. IHE is a global initiative that creates the framework for passing vital health information seamlessly—from application to application, system to system and setting to setting—across multiple healthcare enterprises. Click here to learn more about IHE.

Why participate in an Interoperability Showcase?
Look at the compelling numbers from the HIMSS08 Showcase.

13,000… 13,000 square feet of showcase space – We are a large showcase within the even larger HIMSS exhibit floor, drawing a high percentage of traffic
2,800+…10-15% of all conference attendee—over 2,800—visited the HIMSS08 Interoperability Showcase
73-51-14… 73 organizations with 51 vendors demonstrated interoperability among 74 different HIT systems
48… 48 discrete educational sessions presented
14… 14 clinical scenarios demonstrated interoperability across (1) multiple products, (2) EHR and PHR systems and (3) enterprises care delivery settings

1. Clinical data exchange among patient care devices was demonstrated showing devices used in the ER, OR and ICU
2. Financial and administrative systems for billing and claims attachments (CAQH/CORE)
3. Clinical scenarios focusing on clinician and patient access, and information sharing across the full continuum of care
4. Demonstrated HITSP Interoperability Specifications

VIP Exposure- Visitors to the 2008 IHE Interoperability Showcase included:            
700… Almost 700 attendees who created and tracked their own electronic health record
18… 18 VIP tours including keynote speakers and delegations from: France, Germany, Holland, China, and Japan, CMS, DOD, VHA, CDC, ANSI, ISO, and Nursing Executives as well as Congressional leaders from eight states including representatives from Project HITCH

The Interoperability Showcase Cycle in North America

Participating in the HIMSS009 Showcase means committing to a four-step sequential process that comprises the annual North American Showcase cycle. [Asia and Europe have similar activities but on a different calendar cycle. To learn more visit links to Showcases in Asia, and Europe].

1st: HIMSS09 Interoperability Showcase: Registering for the HIMSS09 Interoperability Showcase kicks-off the North American cycle for your organization. Deadline: Sept 30, 2008.
Click here to register.

2nd: Mandatory Showcase Participant Workshop, Oct 2008: All vendors that register to participate in the HIMSS09 Interoperability Showcase must start their preparation by attending the Mandatory Showcase Participant Workshop. This three-day workshop prepares participants to play their specific roles and ensures that each vendor understands the role(s) they will play during the Showcase demonstrations. To learn more and to register, click on the links below.

1. Mandatory Showcase Participant Workshop Oct08 Agenda: Click here to view the agenda for Mandatory Showcase Participant Workshop Oct 08
2. Registration: Click here to register for Mandatory Showcase Participant
   Workshop Oct 08

3rd: IHE 2009 North American Connectathon: The Connectathon is the third step in the four-step process. The Connectathon takes the work and planning started at the Mandatory Showcase Participant Workshop in October and tests to ensure that that all firms are ready for the HIMSS09 Showcase. Click here to register.

The IHE 2009 North American Connectathon is a week–long testing event managed by sponsoring organizations, the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Currently there are events annually in North America, Europe and Asia. The major goal of IHE Connectathons is to promote the adoption in commercially available healthcare IT systems of the standards-based interoperability solutions defined by IHE. IHE Connectathons serve as industry-wide testing events where participants can test their implementations with those of other vendors.

Successful completion of IHE Connectathon testing is a requirement for participation in all global IHE demonstrations. By signing up for an IHE demonstration, the company is accepting the part of the IHE process that is the IHE Connectathon testing. However, many vendors participate in an IHE Connectathon without any direct plans to participate in a demonstration. Even in cases where vendors are participating in preparation for a demonstration, the major goal of an IHE Connectathon is to refine the implementation of IHE Actors and Integration Profiles in the systems being tested. To learn more about the IHE 2009 North American Connectathon please download the important documents below. There are many details, deadlines and requirements associated with this important multi-stage activity, so please download all documents and check back often, as new updates will and helpful information will be posted over the next several months.

4th: April 4-8, 2009: Show off your hard work and creativity at the HIMSS09 Interoperability Showcase!