Digital health solutions company Telstra Health has introduced its new Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-powered application programming interface (API), Smart API+.
The launch took place at the Health, Innovation and Community (HIC) Conference in Brisbane, Australia.
Smart API+ is designed to facilitate smooth partner integrations and data exchange across the company’s primary care software solutions and the broader primary care continuum.
It is built on modern, FHIR-native technology, which simplifies data exchange and ensures interoperability while maintaining data security.
Initially, the API will be utilised by partners integrating with Helix, Telstra Health's cloud-based general practice patient management software.
In addition, the company highlighted that Helix customers will be able to use Smart API+ to integrate their custom technologies, which can lead to enhanced operational efficiencies and the development of new care models.
The new API, which aims to connect care and streamline workflows, when combined with Smart Connected Care capabilities, will allow technology partners to build-once, potentially reducing capital costs associated with integration.
Clinicians and managers will also benefit from accessing partner capabilities without the need for multiple logins.
Apart from facilitating secure data transfer, Smart API+ offers an in-platform user interface experience that can be deployed across the primary care software portfolio, independent of the underlying platform's release cycle.
Telstra Health aims to accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions that contribute to tangible improvements in the Australian health and aged care systems.
Telstra Health Ecosystem general manager Louise Ryves said: “This is an important step in providing seamless access points that enable technology partners to connect digitally with Telstra Health’s primary care solutions without the need to maintain separate integrations for cloud and on-premises solutions.
“In the future, technology partners will no longer need to worry about building bespoke integrations with platform-specific data formats that have been an ongoing barrier to enabling interoperability and compatibility.”
The announcement of Smart API+ follows Telstra Health's exclusive partnership with Smile Digital Health, which aims to introduce Smile's HL7 FHIR first Health Data Platform solution and integration platform to New Zealand and Australia.
Smile Digital Health technology supports Telstra Health’s Health Information Exchange, enabling the exchange of patient information across various healthcare organisations and systems.
