Navigating Healthcare Interoperability: Tailwinds, Headwinds, and the Human Impact

Welcome back to Care Decoded! In this episode, host Dr. Sunil Nihalani, CEO of Inferscience, sits down with interoperability expert Brendan Keeler, better known as the “health API guy.” Together, they tackle one of health tech’s biggest promises: interoperability. You’ll hear a down-to-earth exploration of what interoperability really looks like in practice, from the daunting challenges of connecting healthcare systems and sharing patient data, to the recent regulatory pushes trying to bridge the gaps. Dr. Sunil Nihalani and Brendan Keeler dive into the evolution of healthcare data exchange, discuss the real progress and persisting pain points, and unpack both the tailwinds and headwinds shaping the future of seamless data sharing. With candid stories from the front lines and practical insights, this episode cuts through the industry buzz, spotlighting where we’re at and where we need to go to make interoperability meaningful for providers, patients, and everyone in between. If you care about the future of healthcare, data access, and smarter care, you won’t want to miss this conversation! Timestamps: 00:00 "Healthcare, Consolidation, and Frustration" 03:57 "Progress and Continuous Improvement" 07:15 EHR Data Sharing Challenges 11:23 AI Modernizing EHRs and Visit Prep 15:59 "TEFCA Driving Patient Data Access" 18:03 "Boost for Tech-Enabled Care" 21:03 "Trust Strain Threatens Care Networks" 25:01 Illegal Loopholes Exploiting Patient Data 27:46 Identity Proofing vs Scribble Debate 31:42 "EPIC's Dominance in Vertical SaaS" 34:57 EHR Integration and Antitrust Rulings 39:04 EHRs, APIs, and Information Blocking 41:11 "Ubiquity Over Structured Data" 46:16 "Optimism Through AI and Interoperability" 47:40 "Driving Interoperability Through Advocacy" Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/ Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/ Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/ Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/ “Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”