The first API (application programming interface) standards for the health sector are now available. The standards were developed by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Data and Digital, working with the health IT sector and others.

Hira Programme Director Gerard Keenan says the release of the standards is a significant step forward in promoting interoperability, data exchange, and innovation within the healthcare ecosystem.

“These are a technical guide to providing and deploying a modern API service. They are the baseline for the sector to use to provide a more consistent and reliable approach for the delivery of health information services."

He says the standards were reviewed by the newly formed technical standards community, using developer collaboration platform GitHub.

“This was a new approach to the review of standards; supporting and promoting participation from the sector. The level of sector engagement and contribution was really encouraging."

“Feedback is very important when technical standards are developed to ensure they are fit for purpose and easy to understand. Listening and being open to different opinions and viewpoints supports shared knowledge and collaboration.”

The next step is for the standards to be endorsed by HISO – the Health Information Standards Organisation.

The two standards just released cover guidance and expectations for:

• API design and development (for FHIR and non-FHIR API specifications) 
• API security.

These standards will:

• Enhance interoperability by establishing a common framework for seamless communication and data exchange among diverse healthcare systems and applications.
• Prioritise data consistency, ensuring information is accurately and uniformly exchanged across various health platforms.
• Support innovation – developers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders can leverage these APIs to create robust and integrated solutions that improve patient care and overall healthcare delivery.
• Support improved patient care through better access to health data, streamlined workflows, and more efficient communication among healthcare providers.
• Foster collaboration and higher adoption by working with the digital health community and healthcare professionals to keep standards relevant.

Get involved!
 
Input from the sector is invaluable in shaping the future of healthcare interoperability.
To be part of the ongoing development of API standards, please visit the https://apistandards.digital.health.nz website. This link will be available via the Health New Zealand Data and Digital Standards webpages, and when launched, the Hira Marketplace website.