New analysis by West Health Institute finds medical device interoperability could save more than $30 billion a year

March 20, 2013 – A new analysis released today by the West Health Institute (WHI) at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health estimates that medical device interoperability – the ability of medical devices and health care systems to seamlessly communicate and exchange information – could be a source of more than $30 billion a year in savings and improve patient care and safety.
 
Dr. Joseph M. Smith, chief medical and science officer of WHI, shared the analysis as part of his testimony outlining regulatory and policy changes necessary to create integrated, interoperable systems to improve outcomes, lower costs and create higher-value health care focused on patient-centered solutions.
 
“Medical devices need to share data, based on standards, so that they can better inform clinicians and help patients,” said Dr. Peter Pronovost, medical director for the Center for Innovation in Quality Patient Care at John Hopkins University. “By doing so, we can both improve quality and reduce costs.” (http://www.westhealth.org/institute/interoperability)