In Guatemala, the adoption of FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) for exchanging healthcare data is in its early stages. Currently, the use of FHIR stands at a basic level, with versions DSTU2, STU3, and R4 being explored, but with limited implementation. Respondents expect an increase in the adoption of FHIR in the coming years, indicating a growing interest in its potential to improve healthcare data exchange.
Rules and Support
- Health Data Exchange Rules: There are no specific regulations mandating the use of standards for electronic health data exchange in Guatemala.
- FHIR Requirements: No requirements or regulations specifically mention FHIR.
- Deadlines and Fines: No deadlines or fines are imposed for non-compliance since there are no regulations in place.
- Available Funding: Government funds to stimulate the adoption of FHIR are not available, reflecting the nascent stage of FHIR adoption in the country.
National Setup
- Standards Organization: Guatemala does not have a national organization responsible for health data standards. One respondent mentioned RECAINSA, but no further details or links were provided.
- Implementation Guides: There are no base/core FHIR implementation guides specific to Guatemala.
- Terminology Services: No national FHIR terminology server is available, and there are no plans for one.
Active Use Cases
- Local implementations and pilot projects are being considered, with specific interest in diagnostic images.
- Use of international FHIR standards or guides is not specified.
- Key projects include launching pilot projects with selected healthcare stakeholders, although details are limited.
Who's Using FHIR
- Active Organizations: Care providers and diagnostic system vendors are engaging with FHIR to some extent. Specific roles include IT project management and digital health project coordination.
- Main Reasons for Adoption: Interest in FHIR stems from its potential to drive innovation, though actual implementations are not widely reported.
- Usage: FHIR is being explored for various applications, including REST API and messaging, but widespread use is not yet evident.
Success Stories and Challenges
- Benefits: One response highlighted data protection as a successful FHIR use case, suggesting an awareness of FHIR's potential to improve healthcare outcomes and access to information.
- Real Examples: Specific examples of FHIR in action are limited, indicating the early stage of adoption in Guatemala.
- Main Difficulties: Challenges include unclear benefits and regulations, lack of FHIR knowledge, and changes in political direction.
- Future Plans: Respondents are looking forward to their own projects and anticipate significant cost savings, enhanced care coordination, and a robust digital health ecosystem through FHIR adoption.
Future Plans
- Progress So Far: Responses indicate that progress in FHIR adoption has varied, with some reporting less progress than expected and others more.
- Next Steps: Plans include the development of new FHIR standards for specific use cases and the establishment of a national standards organization.
- Expected Changes: There is optimism about the benefits of FHIR adoption in the coming years, including cost savings and improved healthcare coordination.
Contributors
Permitted to use their names:
- Marcelino Maldonado, IGSS
- Oscar Rodriguez Ortiz, UNOPS
The above summary is based on the answers to the State of FHIR Survey 2025, organized by Firely and HL7 International.