CSIRO is working to make health data in Australia easier to share between hospitals, clinics, GPs, and aged care providers. The goal is to reduce repeated tests, improve access to patient history, and support better healthcare decisions.
Hospitals, GPs, allied health clinics, and aged care facilities each store patient data in different systems. This can make sharing information slow or impossible. Patients may need to repeat their history or undergo tests multiple times. In emergency cases, quick access to medical history, medications, and allergies can be life-saving.
Interoperability is the ability for different systems to exchange information seamlessly. CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) is focused on improving this in healthcare. AEHRC works on standards, tools, and platforms to make data easier to share across the system.
The Sparked collaboration brings together software vendors, clinicians, researchers, and government representatives. It uses a standard called Fast Health Interoperability Resources (FHIR) to ensure data can move between healthcare systems safely and reliably. Dr Adrian Gilliland, a GP and Sparked member, said standardised data will save time and help clinicians make better decisions for their patients.
Researchers at AEHRC also develop digital tools that follow these standards. The MoTHer platform, which supports women managing gestational diabetes, was updated to align with FHIR. This makes it easier to integrate with health systems and share patient information securely.
Aged care facilities face special challenges. Residents may receive care in different areas of the facility, and staff may share devices for recording data. This can make data collection slow and inconsistent. AEHRC research shows standardising and digitalising data can reduce burden on aged care workers and improve care for residents.
By improving interoperability and standardising data, CSIRO aims to ensure that health information flows smoothly. This will help clinicians, support aged care staff, and ensure Australians receive timely, coordinated, and safe care.