'Fast and secure data exchange will be possible by the end of 2025'

Generic functions are the preconditions for enabling data exchange in healthcare nationwide. VWS program manager Carlo Koch talks about the state of affairs. "The first data can be exchanged nationwide by the end of this year."

By the end of 2025, the basis for national data exchange between healthcare providers must be in place. This applies to the five prioritized data exchanges from the Wegiz. These exchanges must be reliable, secure and nationally interoperable. "That will succeed, we are on track," says Carlo Koch, program manager of the VWS program Implementation of Generic Functions.

"The generic functions will be tested this year, followed by further implementation and national data exchange. But certainly don't imagine a big bang in which the entire healthcare system switches over in one fell swoop. The healthcare field is too diverse for that and too much customization is needed."

Six necessary generic functions

The Informatieberaad Zorg has chosen to start with six necessary generic functions. Six sets, therefore, of agreements, standards and facilities. Koch: "These are first of all Identification and Authentication, or: who is logging in and are you who you say you are? Then there is Authorization, which deals with the question: what data are you allowed to view? The generic functions Localization and Addressing control where the data is and how to get to it as effectively and efficiently as possible. There is also the important generic function Consent. The patient must have given permission to share data about their health.

Gradually, he says, Logging has been added as the seventh generic feature. "With this we are going to arrange that it can be checked who has accessed patient data. Again, we are using existing NEN standards."

Metaphor

To explain the role of generic functions in simple terms, he often uses a metaphor. National data exchange requires a nationwide network of infrastructures. You can think of that as the asphalt. "With the generic functions we regulate signage, traffic rules and who is allowed on the road at all. The necessary preconditions for safe traffic."

According to Koch, the added value lies in what is possible with this: that trucks with content will drive on that road. In other words, that data is exchanged nationwide between healthcare providers.

Phasing of program

The first two phases of the VWS program have been completed. "We first conducted an analysis to know exactly what is needed. In the second phase, the design choices were made; this phase is also behind us. The six generic functions began at different stages of maturity. Identification, Authentication and Permission, for example, were already in further development."

Koch explains that several (partial) data exchange solutions already existed. But these were sectoral or regional and not nationally interoperable. "We chose to link existing partial solutions as much as possible. Preferably you use what is already there. But of course new components also had to be built. That, too, was largely completed."

Testing in PoCs and pilots.

"Right now we are in the phase of technical proof of concepts. We are testing with ICT vendors and healthcare providers whether the technical architecture design works. These PoCs are mainly running in Q1 and Q2 of this year. After testing and fine-tuning the outcomes of the PoCs, pilots will follow."

VWS sees pilots as a controlled go-live, in which healthcare providers actually start exchanging data. They are not temporary, but a first, defined step in permanent implementation. "Some pilots are already running and the expectation is that in the second part of this calendar year the majority of the pilots will be running. By the end of this year, we will have both technically, and functionally tested the operation of the generic functions."

Governance, management and NEN

In terms of governance and management, we looked at which parties should start managing new technical components, for example. Some agreements have already been implemented. "For almost all generic functions, a NEN standardization process has also been started," Koch said. "Most of these are already (almost) in the consultation phase. These standards provide a foothold for parties in the market. The necessary standards for national data exchange are expected to be ready this year."

Implementation

2025 is dedicated to testing the elaborated generic functions. ICT suppliers, umbrella organizations and larger healthcare providers are involved in working groups. But Koch emphasizes that everyone can stay informed and provide input via the website and GitHub.

"As the PoCs and pilots progress, the message to the healthcare field is: we are coming. In 2026 we will also come knocking on your door, because we will be fully scaling up then. An implementation path has already been established for this and the first concrete communication about it will follow in Q2."

Information packet

To ensure that everyone can prepare properly, VWS, for example, is working on an information package. That will clearly explain: what to consider, what is required. The package will be delivered in time for the 2026 budget planning, so that healthcare providers can prepare in time.

What it delivers

For those wondering what this exercise will accomplish, Koch once again explains it clearly. "It may be an open door, but all the VWS programs now underway to enable digital data exchange nationwide ensure high-quality, accessible care for everyone. Fast, reliable and secure availability of data contributes to the quality of care. An additional plus is reduction of administrative burden and prevention of unnecessary work such as duplicate examinations."

Carlo Koch is hosting a session on implementing generic functions for data exchange during Zorg & ict on April 9 at 1 p.m. in the Theater Working Together on Data Availability. Register for Zorg & ict and attend the session for free.