Epic has made significant strides in the healthcare industry over the past year. By joining the Trusted Exchange Framework and the Common Agreement, it has been able to connect hospitals and pave the way for a more interconnected health system. This article delves into Epic's achievements and its commitment to continuing this important work.

Epic's Interoperability Pledge: Connecting Hospitals for Better Patient Care

Building Interoperability Networks Before TEFCA

Epic took the initiative to build its electronic health records-based interoperability network well before the implementation of TEFCA. In partnership with other entities like Carequality, it laid the foundation for nationwide exchange frameworks. This proactive approach shows Epic's foresight and dedication to improving healthcare through seamless information sharing. 1: By establishing these networks, Epic was able to create a robust infrastructure that would facilitate the exchange of electronic health information. This allowed for a more comprehensive view of patients' health records, enabling healthcare providers to make more informed decisions and provide better care. 2: The work done before TEFCA set the stage for the successful onboarding of hospitals under the new framework. It demonstrated Epic's ability to collaborate and innovate, laying the groundwork for a more connected healthcare ecosystem.

Onboarding Hospitals with TEFCA

Since TEFCA went live in December 2023, Epic has been actively onboarding hospitals. In just 12 months, it has onboarded an impressive 625 hospitals. This rapid growth is a testament to Epic's efficiency and the demand for universal interoperability. 1: The onboarding process has been seamless, with Epic's director of interoperability, Rob Klootwyk, noting that Epic's customers are connecting quickly with TEFCA. This allows for the sharing of critical patient information across different healthcare organizations, improving the overall quality of care. 2: Dr. David Kaelber, MetroHealth System's chief health informatics officer, added that before TEFCA, 30% of U.S. hospitals were unable to exchange electronic health information. TEFCA provides a universal on-ramp for these organizations, including those in rural and underserved communities, to connect and share information.

The Larger Trend of QHINs and Provider Onboarding

In early 2023, the U.S. Health and Human Services approved Epic, eHealth Exchange, CommonWell, Health Gorilla, Kno2, and KONZA National Network as the first qualified health information networks under TEFCA. These QHINs serve as the on-ramps for providers to join TEFCA. 1: Matt Doyle, interoperability software development lead at Epic, emphasized the importance of fostering trust during the onboarding process. This trust is crucial for healthcare providers to feel confident in sharing patient information and participating in the nationwide interoperability framework. 2: Epic's announcement of onboarding its first cohort of 24 health systems, including Mount Sinai, Mayo Clinic, Kaiser, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford Health, individual hospitals and safety nets, shows its commitment to testing and implementing the nationwide interoperability framework. This cohort represents a diverse group of healthcare organizations, highlighting Epic's ability to work with a wide range of providers.

The Impact on Patient Care

"TEFCA helps MetroHealth, and other health systems improve patient care nationwide by providing access to a larger breadth and depth of patient electronic health information for a more holistic understanding of a patient," said Kaelber. 1: With the ability to access comprehensive patient information, healthcare providers can better diagnose and treat patients. This leads to more accurate diagnoses, improved treatment plans, and ultimately better patient outcomes. 2: The sharing of electronic health information also enables better coordination of care among different healthcare providers. This reduces duplication of tests and procedures and ensures that patients receive consistent and coordinated care throughout their healthcare journey.