Telehealth Data Standardization – Building a Common Language for Connected Care

Telehealth platforms today must connect to a vast ecosystem of legacy hospital systems and medical devices, each speaking a different digital language. From HL7 v2/v3 and DICOM imaging to FHIR APIs, every protocol carries its own syntax, structure, and semantics — creating the so-called “Babel Tower” of healthcare interoperability.

For hospitals and health networks, this means endless custom code to integrate monitors, laboratory analyzers, and imaging systems — each using distinct message formats, field names, and measurement units.

A simple clinical parameter such as SpO₂ might appear as “SpO2”, “O₂Sat”, or “O₂%”, depending on the vendor.

The result is fragmented data, integration delays, and maintenance overhead whenever a new device or protocol version is introduced. Even with middleware tools like Mirth Connect or Rhapsody, semantic inconsistencies persist, forcing IT teams to constantly patch data flows just to keep systems in sync.

This fragmentation not only slows digital transformation but also risks incomplete patient records and disrupts continuity of care — especially in telehealth environments where interoperability and real-time data are essential.

To address this growing challenge, TMA Solutions has developed a data standardization framework for healthcare integration — designed to unify data communication across telehealth ecosystems.

At its core, the framework converts all medical data into a common REST API + JSON format, ensuring every connected device or external system communicates through a single, universal protocol.

Key Features of TMA’s Standardization Approach

• Unified Communication: All incoming HL7, DICOM, or proprietary data streams are normalized into JSON via an Integration Engine before entering the telehealth platform.
• Structured Data Schema: A predefined JSON schema specifies mandatory fields such as patient identifiers, device type, observation type, value, unit, and timestamp — ensuring every dataset meets the same validation standard.
• Plug-and-Play Integration: New devices can be integrated rapidly without writing new adapters for each data format.
• Security and Compliance: All data is encrypted using TLS 1.3, authenticated with OAuth2, and compliant with HIPAA/GDPR regulations.

By simplifying how data moves between systems, TMA’s REST–JSON model transforms healthcare integration from a code-heavy process into a scalable, API-driven ecosystem that supports both hospital-based and remote care workflows.
 

Independent research and industry data consistently show that standardized REST–JSON interoperability brings measurable improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

• Integration Time: REST APIs reduce integration setup time by 40–60% compared to traditional HL7 message mapping.
• Error Reduction: JSON-based validation eliminates up to 90% of semantic mismatches between systems.
• System Scalability: API-based architectures handle up to 5× more concurrent device connections with minimal code changes.
• Data Quality: Unified schemas ensure consistent field names, units, and timestamps across all sources — improving downstream analytics accuracy.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduces maintenance workload and integration cost, enabling faster onboarding of new hospitals and devices.

These results are supported by findings from Rhapsody Health, TechMagic, and Orangesoft, which highlight RESTful APIs as the proven foundation for modern telehealth integration.

The healthcare industry is rapidly moving toward API-based interoperability — where systems exchange structured data in real time rather than through static, vendor-specific formats.

For Healthcare Organizations

• Unified Data Ecosystem: All devices and systems communicate through a single REST–JSON framework.
• Improved Patient Safety: Standardized data reduces transcription errors and ensures real-time availability of vital information.
• Faster Digital Transformation: Simplifies onboarding of new telehealth services and connected devices.
• Regulatory Readiness: Natively supports FHIR and DICOMweb, meeting global interoperability mandates.

For TMA Solutions

• Strengthens its position as a HealthTech enabler providing scalable, secure, and interoperable integration solutions.
• Expands opportunities for partnerships with medical device manufacturers and hospital IT providers.
• Builds the foundation for future AI and data analytics modules powered by standardized, high-quality datasets.

By standardizing all device communication through REST API and JSON, TMA Solutions is helping healthcare providers dismantle the “Babel Tower” of incompatible systems.

This unified, API-first framework transforms telehealth integration into a faster, safer, and smarter process — paving the way for truly connected, data-driven healthcare.