Implementing FHIR to Help States Share Vital Records Faster
Overview
Altarum works with state public health agencies to modernize how vital records data, including death, birth and fetal death information, are collected, exchanged, and reported. By implementing Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards, we help states exchange birth and death data more quickly and consistently among health care providers, state agencies, and national reporting systems.
Challenge: Legacy Systems Slowed Information Sharing
Most states rely on legacy systems to exchange vital records data. These systems are often slow, inconsistent, and highly manual, leading to delays in critical processes such as benefit delivery, family notifications, and public health response. Each state's approach differed, making it difficult to standardize reporting and meet growing expectations for interoperability.
Solution: Implement FHIR for Vital Records
Altarum partners with state agencies to implement FHIR-based solutions that standardize and accelerate data exchange across systems and jurisdictions. We worked with technical teams to support each state's level of readiness, from modernizing legacy flat-file and batch-file processes to implementing real-time FHIR-based exchange. Across multiple states, including Michigan, Colorado, North Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin, we have helped states navigate FHIR implementation and compliance for death, birth and fetal death reporting. Michigan is also piloting birth certification reporting directly from hospital EHRs to the state birth registry.
Focus Areas
Public Health Information TechnologyExamples of Our Work
Data Interoperability & TechnologyResults: Faster, Better Data Exchange
FHIR implementation reduced reporting timelines from days to hours and automated manual processes that can slow reporting and introduce errors. States gained faster access to standardized vital records data to support public health response, benefits administration, and family notification. Michigan became the second jurisdiction in the nation to achieve NVSS Death-on-FHIR certification and implement the system in production, helping demonstrate a path forward for vital records modernization nationwide.