The complexity of sending medical records between hospitals, clinics, and health-care organizations has long been a challenge in the healthcare industry. With information stored in various formats across different vendors, accessing all relevant patient data has proven to be difficult for doctors and providers. Epic Systems, a notable player in the health-care software industry, currently houses records for over 280 million individuals in the U.S. However, patients often have records scattered across multiple vendors, further complicating the exchange of information. Additionally, strict privacy protections surrounding patient data, such as those outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), add another layer of complexity to the process.
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) was developed by the federal government to provide a legal and technical framework for securely sharing patient data. Epic Systems has been actively involved in establishing TEFCA, aiming to bring the various players in health-care information exchange together. By committing to transitioning all of its customers to the new government-backed medical records exchange by the end of 2025, Epic Systems is demonstrating its dedication to streamlining the exchange of patient data. Epic’s extensive reach and longstanding presence in the market are expected to enhance the credibility of the exchange.
In addition to its commitment to TEFCA, Epic Systems is also a member of Carequality, an interoperability network seeking to align with TEFCA. Organizations looking to join Carequality undergo a vetting process and must agree to adhere to specific “permitted purposes” for exchanging patient records. Carequality has faced controversies in the past, particularly surrounding the definition of “treatment” when it comes to accessing patient data. Epic’s realization of some network participants requesting records for non-treatment purposes prompted Carequality to revise its policy to align with TEFCA’s definition of treatment. This alignment is expected to prevent future clashes and ensure secure and appropriate health information exchange.
As a result of the collaboration between Epic Systems, TEFCA, and Carequality, significant progress has been made in the field of health information exchange. The incorporation of TEFCA’s framework into existing networks like Carequality has the potential to connect a substantial portion of hospitals, clinics, and care providers across the country. By adhering to standardized definitions and guidelines, these networks aim to promote trust and facilitate the secure exchange of patient data. Epic Systems views TEFCA as a critical opportunity to involve the remaining 30% of U.S. hospitals in health information exchange, thus strengthening the overall infrastructure and cooperation between data exchange networks and care organizations.
Epic Systems’ commitment to transitioning its customers to a new medical records exchange reflects a pivotal moment in the evolution of health-care information exchange. By aligning with initiatives like TEFCA and Carequality, the company is driving towards a more efficient, secure, and standardized approach to sharing patient data. As the industry continues to navigate challenges and controversies surrounding data exchange, collaborations like these are essential in advancing the delivery of quality healthcare services to patients nationwide.
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