US Situational Awareness Framework for Reporting (US SAFR) (Jira PSS-2488)

Description

The US Situational Awareness Framework for Reporting (US SAFR) project aims to create a unified, FHIR-based framework for standardized, automated reporting of healthcare capacity and situational awareness data across the United States. This project harmonizes and generalizes two previously separate project proposals:

NHSN Bed Connectivity Initiative data reporting

https://jira.hl7.org/browse/PSS-2469

Hospital Respiratory Data (HRD) data reporting

https://jira.hl7.org/browse/PSS-2470

By aligning these two initiatives, this project will provide a framework for addressing the above and other use cases and create a roadmap for a national, real-time view of healthcare capacity and stress, helping stakeholders make informed decisions during public health emergencies and ensuring patient safety.

In additional to meeting US federal government requirements, this implementation guide will meet the needs of facilities, hospitals and jurisdictions in many ways including:

- Interoperability with Federal Systems by establishing a FHIR-based interface that ensures seamless data sharing from hospitals to jurisdiction capacity systems and then to NHSN, supporting cohesive communication at all levels

- Data Uniformity Across Regions when implementers adopt US SAFR standards. The hospitals and jurisdictions will share a consistent language and structure for data reporting, which will improve collaboration and analysis across regions

- Automated Compliance with Regulatory Requirements. US SAFR will work to align with federal reporting requirements, streamlining compliance and reducing the administrative workload on hospital staff.

- Reliable Reporting Framework. With clear guidelines and connection points, hospitals avoid redundant data requests, saving time and resources for both reporting facilities and jurisdiction health departments

- Efficient Bed Management (Bed Capacity specific) through real-time bed capacity updates. This will assist hospitals in managing admissions and discharges more effectively, optimizing the use of available resources.

There are plans to engage stakeholders from facilities and jurisdictions in the development of this standard. There will be regularly convened public meetings that will allow for discussion and input from stakeholders involved. The IG will be developed in an open, transparent format that allows for all involved parties to have their voices heard throughout the process. Additionally, the current bed capacity participating jurisdictions will have opportunities to connect with their technical monitors for specific support throughout implementation. The IG will also be tested at the HL7 January 2025 FHIR Connectathon.

This FHIR implementation guide will use the US Core profiles. If this FHIR implementation guide is unable to use a US Core profile, we will follow the Cross Group Projects WG's variance request process, and provide the US Realm Steering Committee an approved rationale for deviation in the implementation guide where applicable.

Misc Notes
2026 March: TSC approved STU Publication Request for HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide: Situational Awareness Framework for Reporting (US SAFR), Edition 1 - US Realm for 2 years Stakeholders: Association/Goverment Agency, Consultant, Healthcare IT Vendors, Healthcare Provider/user, Other, Patients, Providers, Regulatory Agency, Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), Vendor/Manufacturer Other Stakeholders: Public Health Agencies