The process of sending medical records between different hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations is indeed complex. The information is often stored in various formats across numerous vendors, making it challenging for healthcare providers to access all the necessary data about their patients. Epic Systems, a leading health-care software company, holds records for more than 280 million individuals in the US, but patients may have data scattered across multiple vendors. Additionally, strict privacy laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandate patient consent or knowledge for third-party access, further complicating the exchange of sensitive information.
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) is a government-backed initiative aimed at providing a legal and technical structure for securely sharing patient data. Launched in December, TEFCA has garnered support from various entities, including Epic Systems. Epic plans to transition all its customers to the TEFCA network by the end of 2025, with customer commitment expected by the end of 2024. The company’s vast reach and decades-long presence in the market make its endorsement of TEFCA vital in enhancing the exchange’s credibility.
In addition to Epic’s support, the interoperability network Carequality announced its intention to align with TEFCA. Carequality, which already involves Epic as a member, screens and ensures that organizations comply with specific “permitted purposes” for exchanging patient records. Recent controversies surrounding requests for healthcare records that did not align with the treatment purpose prompted Carequality to revise its policies to harmonize with TEFCA’s definitions and prevent future conflicts. By supporting TEFCA, Carequality aims to promote secure health information exchange and facilitate smoother transitions for participants.
Carequality currently links more than 70% of hospitals, 50,000+ clinics, and over 600,000 care providers, demonstrating a significant network within the US healthcare system. Epic Systems believes that TEFCA presents an opportunity to engage the remaining 30% of hospitals and reinforce trust between data exchange networks and healthcare organizations. By encouraging alignment with TEFCA’s standards and definitions, both Epic and Carequality seek to streamline health data exchange processes and enhance patient care outcomes.
The collaboration between key stakeholders like Epic Systems and Carequality, along with the government-backed TEFCA initiative, signifies a positive step towards improving health data exchange in the US. By addressing challenges, harmonizing standards, and expanding participation, the healthcare industry can achieve a more interconnected and efficient system of sharing patient information for better care delivery.
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