When the Tokyo Olympic games begin in July 2020, the world’s attention will be focused on healthy competition. The people behind a new HIMSS initiative is hoping they will also learn about the value of improving access to electronic health records.
Olympic Healthcare Interoperability Initiative (OHI) is an effort to bring the most advanced health-record sharing standards to the medical services that will be provided at the Tokyo 2020 games and the Olympics that follow.
The idea came to HIMSS North America Board Member Michael Nusbaum while he was volunteering at the Vancouver 2010 games.
“They build a whole healthcare infrastructure when they come to town,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be a wonderful idea if we could demonstrate the benefits of interoperability on a world stage?”
HIMSS CEO Steve Lieber confirms that OHI is a HIMSS initiative and SNOMED will be a partner; a number of other international standards organizations are also supporting the project. OHI is currently in talks with the International Olympic Committee to gain approval for the plan.
OHI proposes to work with the Olympics medical services team in delivering a fully interoperable infrastructure that would make it possible for athletes’ records to be accessible on site based on recognized international standards.
OH”s leadership team includes Nusbaum, Todd Cooper, a consultant and expert on interoperability, and Flavia Dias Moreira, a healthcare management consultant who had a leadership role in the Rio2016 games. While the initial focus is on the Tokyo games, Nusbaum said he hopes this initiative will continue through future Olympic games.
A presentation on the initiative will take places on Feb. 22, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Interoperability Showcase Theater – Booth 9000.
This article is part of our ongoing coverage of HIMSS17. Visit Destination HIMSS17 for previews, reporting live from the show floor and after the conference.