Framework for Improving Patient Safety: Reference Model for FHIR-Enabled, Patient-Centric Home Medication List Management and Medication Reconciliation.

Abstract

The Health Level 7 (HL7) Electronic Health Record Workgroup identified home medication list reconciliation as a prime opportunity to improve patient safety and reduce clinician burden. We developed a platform-neutral, Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-enabled reference model and demonstration wireframe to articulate the concepts of an interoperable, patient-centric home medication list management ecosystem.Four principal artifacts describe the reference model: (1) a conceptual (high-level) model, (2) a data architecture (detailed) model including representations of the interactions among actors, workflows, data, and functionality, (3) a functionality (style) guide describing expected system behaviors, and (4) a high-fidelity, end-to-end wireframe. The wireframe was constructed using JavaScript, Bootstrap Studio, and FHIR to maximize code modularity, device compatibility, and interoperability.The conceptual and architecture models capture the complex interplay of actors and data occurring among healthcare providers, information systems, and patients, positioning the patient at the center of home medication list management. The style guide reflects functionality requirements. The wireframe demonstrates the use of FHIR for data interoperability while representing patient and clinician interactions that reduce burden. The wireframe accesses standardized data elements via FHIR calls to an EHR sandbox and integrates RxNorm content to improve usability and associated medication metadata. Finally, the wireframe generates a FHIR patient-reconciled medication list data package and printable lists that can be shared with the clinician to facilitate outpatient medication reconciliation.This proof-of-concept highlights the potential of FHIR to facilitate patient-facing medication list management and provides a reference framework for developers.