As connectivity is the key to a holistic smart healthcare ecosystem, APIs are the enablers of data communication and exchange between fragmented healthcare systems to maximize the value of data. With secure transmission of information across different systems through APIs, a patient’s medical data can be transferred to different healthcare service providers or stakeholders as well as be integrated with various applications to extend EHR’s core functionality for more diversified health services. To bridge the gap between legacy and new health systems and modernize the data exchange, API management with robust security is imperative, as health records consist of sensitive patient information. In addition, regulatory compliance should also be taken into account. This is where a reliable middle platform featuring comprehensive API management, authentication and security comes into play. 86% of healthcare organizations have suffered from ransomware attacks in 2022, according to a recent cybersecurity report. With the growing use of EHR, data breach mitigation should be healthcare providers’ top priority. A sound middle platform can restrict access to private health data to authorized healthcare providers only and ensure HIPAA-compliant data protection.

Technologies are shaping the future of smart healthcare, with a focus on data sharing to foster innovation and unleash the potential of data, as data is the key driver of building connectivity of the ecosystem. With the help of smart healthcare ecosystems, patients can enjoy enhanced medical care, and healthcare providers can benefit from the capabilities of the ecosystem and offer more efficient services. There’s still a long road ahead of building a connected smart healthcare ecosystem, but we can expect more possibilities and better patient experiences are yet to come.