Which statement best describes data interoperability?

• A. It enables data privacy only
• B. It refers to data storage capacity
• C. It enables different IT systems to exchange and interpret data; essential for coordinated care
• D. It refers to paper-based data exchange

Answer: (C)

Data interoperability means that different health IT systems can exchange data and interpret it in a consistent, meaningful way so clinicians can use information from any source as part of a patient’s care. It goes beyond simply moving data; it requires shared formats and vocabularies so that a lab result, medication list, or imaging report from one system is readable and usable by another. This seamless exchange supports coordinated care because patients often see multiple providers and settings, and timely access to accurate, integrated data helps clinicians make safer decisions, avoid duplicate tests, and manage care more effectively. It’s not about privacy alone, nor about how much data you can store, nor about paper-based data exchange.