HALO
Creating Seamless Connection Between Physicians and Health Care Technology Vendors
The Health Application Lightweight Protocol (HALO) is a standardized technology framework designed to seamlessly integrate third-party digital health applications with authorized clinical systems, such as electronic medical records (EMRs). By enabling secure and efficient “plug and play” interoperability, HALO improves care coordination, simplifies workflows, and enhances data sharing across Canada’s health system.
About HALO
What is HALO?
HALO is a standardized “visual interactive framework” that would enable web applications to plug into community EMRs and point of care (POC) solutions more easily and simplify access to services for community-based providers.
HALO will enable EMRs to launch different approved ‘Apps’, such as an eReferral App, or an App that enables viewing data about a patient from a jurisdictional system. Apps should not require multiple sign ins by the physician and should reduce data entry required by physicians by passing along patient and provider context (at minimum).
Why was HALO Developed?
Many health care providers work in digital silos, disconnected from the systems and processes needed to coordinate care effectively. This fragmentation increases administrative burden, forcing clinicians to spend excessing time on documentation and manual tasks. Limited data sharing prevents community-generated health information from being accessible across care settings, while gaps in care coordination create patient safety risks such as missed follow-ups, duplicate tests, and treatment delays.
HALO is important because it removes barriers to integrations, allowing healthcare providers to access innovative digital tools without disrupting existing workflows. By streamlining the way applications connect with clinical systems, HALO enhances provider efficiency, reduces administrative burden, and improves the overall user experience in digital health environments.
Benefits
HALO simplifies the integration of third-party applications into existing healthcare systems, allowing for seamless access to digital tools without disrupting workflows. It will improve coordination of care, reduce administrative burden, all while providing a more streamlined and efficient experience for everyone. Benefits include:
For Clinicians
- Reduced administrative burden by minimizing time spent on documentation and manual data entry.
- Simplified workflows by enhancing EMR usability and streamlining e-service adoption.
- Improved collaboration through enabling secure data sharing and communication across care teams.
For Patients
- Seamless care coordination by ensuring that health providers have access to up-to-date, accurate patient information.
- Improved safety by reducing the risk of duplicate tests, medication errors, and missed follow-ups.
- Better access to care through supporting digital tools that enhance patient navigation, self-management, and communication with providers.
For Jurisdictions
- More efficient public service delivery by improving data sharing across health care facilities, regions, and programs.
- Better health system planning by supporting data-driven decision-making with improved access to aggregated health insights.
- Flexibility in digital health adoption by simplifing the integration of new and evolving digital health applications.
For Vendors
- Nationwide interoperability that reduces barriers to scaling digital health solutions across Canada.
- Streamlined development which provides a clear framework for building, upgrading, or integrating with clinical systems.
- Lower costs that eliminates the need to customize solutions for each jurisdiction, freeing resources for innovation.
Access HALO