Implementations of the HL7 Context-Aware Knowledge Retrieval ("Infobutton") Standard: Challenges, strengths, limitations, and uptake

Authors:
Guilherme Del Fiol;Vojtech Huser;Howard R. Strasberg;Saverio M. Maviglia;Clayton Curtis;James J. Cimino
Affiliations:
Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA;Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA;Wolters Kluwer Health, San Diego, CA, USA;Partners Healthcare, Wellesley, MA, USA;Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston, MA, USA;Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
Venue:
Journal of Biomedical Informatics
Year:
2012

Citing 2
Cited 1

Restful web services

Restful web services
Research electronic data capture (REDCap)-A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Guest Editorial: Translating standards into practice: Experiences and lessons learned in biomedicine and health care

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Quantified Score

Hi-index	0.00

Visualization

Abstract

To support clinical decision-making, computerized information retrieval tools known as ''infobuttons'' deliver contextually-relevant knowledge resources into clinical information systems. The Health Level Seven International (HL7) Context-Aware Knowledge Retrieval (Infobutton) Standard specifies a standard mechanism to enable infobuttons on a large scale. Objective: To examine the experience of organizations in the course of implementing the HL7 Infobutton Standard. Method: Cross-sectional online survey and in-depth phone interviews. Results: A total of 17 organizations participated in the study. Analysis of the in-depth interviews revealed 20 recurrent themes. Implementers underscored the benefits, simplicity, and flexibility of the HL7 Infobutton Standard. Yet, participants voiced the need for easier access to standard specifications and improved guidance to beginners. Implementers predicted that the Infobutton Standard will be widely or at least fairly well adopted in the next 5years, but uptake will depend largely on adoption among electronic health record (EHR) vendors. To accelerate EHR adoption of the Infobutton Standard, implementers recommended HL7-compliant infobutton capabilities to be included in the United States Meaningful Use Certification Criteria for EHR systems. Limitations: Opinions and predictions should be interpreted with caution, since all the participant organizations have successfully implemented the standard and over half of the organizations were actively engaged in the development of the standard. Conclusion: Overall, implementers reported a very positive experience with the HL7 Infobutton Standard. Despite indications of increasing uptake, measures should be taken to stimulate adoption of the Infobutton Standard among EHR vendors. Widespread adoption of the Infobutton Standard has the potential to bring contextually relevant clinical decision support content into the healthcare provider workflow.