What is ISO 13606-2:2014?

ISO 13606-2:2014 is a technical standard that provides specifications for the exchange of health records in electronic format. It focuses on the communication and interoperability between different healthcare systems, aiming to improve the efficiency and quality of care delivery. The standard covers various aspects of health data exchanges, including structure, content, and security.

The Structure of ISO 13606-2:2014

The standard defines a hierarchical structure for health records, organizing data into different levels. At the top level, there are compositions, which represent individual healthcare encounters or episodes. Compositions are made up of sections, which contain specific categories of information such as allergies, medications, or diagnoses. Sections, in turn, consist of entries, which hold the actual data elements like test results, procedures, or observations.

This hierarchical structure allows for easy navigation and retrieval of specific information from a health record. It ensures that the data remains organized and coherent, enabling seamless sharing and processing of medical information between different systems.

The Content of ISO 13606-2:2014

ISO 13606-2:2014 specifies a wide range of clinical data elements that can be included in health records. These elements cover a broad spectrum of healthcare-related information, such as patient demographics, vital signs, laboratory results, medications, and procedures. By providing a standardized set of data elements, the standard promotes consistency and uniformity in health information exchange.

The content defined by ISO 13606-2:2014 ensures that all crucial aspects of a patient's medical history are captured and transmitted accurately. This facilitates comprehensive and informed decision-making by healthcare professionals, regardless of the system they use or the location they operate in.

The Security of ISO 13606-2:2014

ISO 13606-2:2014 emphasizes the importance of maintaining data security and privacy in health record exchanges. The standard outlines various security measures that need to be implemented during the transmission and storage of health information. These measures include encryption, access controls, authentication mechanisms, and audit trails.

By adhering to the security principles defined in ISO 13606-2:2014, healthcare organizations can ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronically exchanged health records. This instills trust in patients and healthcare providers, promoting the adoption and utilization of electronic health information systems.