Interoperability is often called the backbone of modern healthcare, but what does it really mean? In a recent episode of the Talking HealthTech podcast, host Peter Birch sat down with Orion Health’s Nicole Allan and Federica Lanzo to unpack this critical topic. Here are a few highlights from their insightful conversation. 

What is interoperability in healthcare? 

At its core, interoperability is the ability for different healthcare systems to exchange and use information consistently and meaningfully. 

Nicole breaks it down: interoperability means not having to repeat your story. It enables clinicians to access the complete picture of a patient’s care, no matter the system, language, or format. “It’s like a universal power adapter, bringing disparate systems together so they speak the same language.” 

Federica adds the technical lens: interoperability is integration at scale, the ability to share data repeatably, reliably, and securely using shared standards like HL7® FHIR®. It’s not about a single system. “Interoperability isn’t just about compliance, it’s about meeting each organisation where they are and bridging the gaps between them”, and crucially, bringing everyone into the ecosystem.

Listen to this section on the podcast at 2:30.

What are real-world use cases of interoperability? 

Interoperability is more than a technical buzzword; it’s saving time, improving outcomes, and powering more joined-up care in healthcare systems worldwide. Some examples shared in the episode include: 

  • Shared Care Records in the UK – Coordinating care across 16+ regional systems, including GPs, hospitals, and social care providers. 
  • Prison Health Integration in Australia – Giving clinicians access to accurate records for patients moving between correctional facilities and the community. 
  • Digital Front Doors and eAdmissions – Like Southern Cross Healthcare’s shift to paperless hospital admission in New Zealand, improving patient and staff experience. 

Want more examples? Listen to this section on the podcast at 20:50.

How does interoperability impact patient outcomes? 

Whether it’s preventing duplicate blood tests, reducing appointment clashes, or ensuring ambulance crews have access to a patient’s allergies in an emergency. Interoperability supports safer, faster, and more personalised care. It’s particularly vital for people with chronic conditions or complex care needs, where multiple providers are involved. 

How do AI and interoperability work together? 

AI can make healthcare data more useful, but only when connected, standardised, and high-quality. That’s where interoperability comes in. 

Together, AI and interoperability are helping to: 

  • Speed up clinical decision-making with summarised, searchable data 
  • Reduce admin burden through auto-generated documentation like Autoscribes. 
  • Integrate small, niche systems into broader health records 
  • Support public health, rare disease research, and global care via tools like the International Patient Summary (IPS) 

From rural ambulance services to social care integration and shared records, these technologies are already reshaping how healthcare is delivered, faster, smarter, and more connected. 

Listen to this section at 29:10.

What should healthcare leaders be doing now? 

As Nicole put it, we need to stop “letting great get in the way of good.” Interoperability doesn’t need to be perfect on day one. Start small, focus on value, and engage the whole care ecosystem, including community care, allied health, and mental health, not just hospitals and GPs.  

Want to hear the full conversation?

This blog only scratches the surface. For real-world examples, technical insights, and candid reflections on what the industry needs to stop and start doing, listen to the full Talking HealthTech episode: Interoperability in Practice – Bridging the Gap Between Hype and Healthcare Reality.

Want to dive deeper into the Interoperability hype?

Unpack the challenges, bust the myths, and discover what it really takes to build connected healthcare systems that work. Explore more insights from Federica Lanzo and our solutions in our white paper: The Interoperability Hype – Can We Trust It?

Read the Whitepaper