September 22, 2026
The digitization of hospitals in Romania has entered a new phase. Following significant investments in IT infrastructure, information systems, equipment, and digital solutions, one of the key questions is becoming increasingly clear: Can these systems communicate effectively with one another, and can data flow to where it is needed, when it is needed?
The interoperability of information systems and medical equipment is one of the major challenges of the digital transformation of the healthcare system. However, it is not merely a technical issue. It has direct implications for how doctors work, for access to information, for hospital management, and, ultimately, for the patient experience and safety.
In this context, under the umbrella of the HealthTech Forum 2026, Oameni și Companii is launching the National Working Group on the Interoperability of IT Systems in Romania’s Public Hospitals. The first meeting will take place on Thursday, September 24, starting at 2:00 p.m., on Zoom. Hospital managers, specialists, IT and digitalization managers, physicians, and representatives of healthcare facilities are expected to attend. Information and the registration form can be accessed here: HTF: National Working Group on the Interoperability of IT Systems in Public Hospitals | MedicalManager.ro
The event will be moderated by Dr. Cătălin Cîrstoveanu, Chief Physician and Head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the “Maria Sklodowska Curie” Children’s Emergency Clinical Hospital, alongside Elena Ovreiu, Founder of HealthTech Forum, and Silvia Călin, Partner at HealthTech Forum.
A discussion sparked by the reality of hospitals
The national working group aims to bring into the discussion the very voices of those who face these challenges on a daily basis:
- hospital managers and members of hospital management teams;
- IT directors and digital transformation specialists;
- representatives of public authorities;
- experts in health informatics and interoperability;
- representatives from academia and industry.
The goal is not merely to identify problems, but to build as clear a picture as possible of the current situation: what systems exist, where bottlenecks occur, what types of data need to be exchanged, what technical and organizational challenges there are, and what solutions can realistically be implemented.
Two Perspectives on the Same Problem
To get the full picture, the working group proposes an assessment from two perspectives.
Hospital management is invited to assess interoperability from the perspective of processes, the organization’s needs, the impact on medical and administrative activities, and development priorities. At the same time, IT specialists and those responsible for digitalization are invited to provide a technical perspective on the infrastructure, existing IT systems, integrations, standards in use, and the main barriers to interoperability.
These two perspectives are complementary and are essential for avoiding an exclusively technical approach to a problem that, in reality, has implications for the entire organization.
From Hospital Experiences to Recommendations for the System
One of the outcomes the working group aims to achieve is the drafting of a position paper on developing interoperability in the Romanian healthcare system. The document will be based on the practical experience of participating hospitals and discussions with government officials, specialists, and other stakeholders. The goal is for the recommendations to address real-world challenges and to be useful in the next phase of the healthcare system’s digital transformation.
After all, interoperability isn’t just about two IT systems being able to exchange data. It means ensuring that relevant information reaches the right professional, at the right time, in a usable format. And for this to become a reality within the healthcare system, solutions must be developed in collaboration with the people who use them.
Hospital Participation
Hospital administrators, IT directors, and digital transformation leaders are invited to join the National Working Group and help assess the current state of interoperability.
We encourage you to complete the evaluation questionnaire, but attendance at the first meeting on October 24 is not contingent upon completing it.
The National Working Group on the Interoperability of IT Systems in Romania’s Public Hospitals is an initiative of HealthTech Forum 2026 and Clinomic, implemented by Oameni și Companii.
