Epic Systems Asks Hospitals to Adopt New Federal Network for Medical Record Sharing
Carequality.org has announced plans to align its interoperability strategy with the federal Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). This shift, unveiled on August 16, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of national healthcare interoperability.
Why This Matters
Carequality, a key player in health information exchange, was established in 2014 to enhance data sharing across healthcare networks. Over the past decade, it has grown into a robust framework connecting over 600,000 care providers across the U.S., including more than 50,000 outpatient clinics and 4,200 hospitals. Each month, Carequality facilitates the exchange of nearly 940 million documents, supporting a vast and diverse healthcare ecosystem.
The 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in 2016, set the stage for TEFCA, which officially launched in 2023. TEFCA, managed by the Sequoia Project, aims to create a unified framework for exchanging health information nationwide. Its goal is to improve interoperability by fostering a series of networks that can share patient data securely and efficiently.
As TEFCA continues to expand, Carequality’s decision to align with this federal initiative signals a commitment to harmonizing its framework with national standards. This move is expected to enhance the trustworthiness and effectiveness of data exchange among healthcare providers and networks.
Carequality’s Strategic Realignment
Carequality’s alignment with TEFCA will involve several key adjustments to its framework:
- Policy Integration: Carequality will leverage its existing policies to address community concerns and integrate TEFCA’s definitions and approaches, especially regarding treatment use cases.
- Strengthened Controls: The organization plans to implement stricter directory integrity controls and incorporate TEFCA Delegate policies into its On-Behalf-Of policies. These changes are aimed at increasing transparency and control over data requests.
- Future Convergence: Carequality envisions a future where its framework converges with TEFCA, creating a seamless interoperability experience across networks.
To provide stakeholders with insights into these developments, Carequality has scheduled an informational webinar on August 29, 2024. This session will delve deeper into the strategic realignment and its implications for the healthcare community.
Epic’s Role and Future Plans
Epic Systems, a prominent electronic health record (EHR) vendor, is fully onboard with this transition. Epic has been a significant participant in Carequality, with all of its clients already engaged in the framework. The company has announced its plan to have all Epic clients committed to TEFCA by the end of 2024, with a go-live target of December 2025.
Epic’s enthusiasm for TEFCA aligns with its broader goal to drive nationwide interoperability. By integrating its Epic Nexus qualified health information network (QHIN) with TEFCA, Epic aims to include the remaining 30% of U.S. hospitals that are not yet part of the national interoperability landscape.
“TEFCA represents the best opportunity to advance healthcare interoperability and strengthen trust between data exchange networks,” said Epic officials. Their commitment to supporting clients through this transition underscores their dedication to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Looking Ahead
The realignment of Carequality with TEFCA, and Epic’s commitment to nationwide participation, mark significant milestones in the journey towards a more interconnected healthcare environment. As these frameworks continue to evolve, they promise to enhance the efficiency and security of health information exchange, ultimately benefiting patients and providers alike.
With these developments, the future of healthcare interoperability looks brighter, paving the way for more cohesive and effective care delivery across the nation.
Source:
Carequality to align interoperability strategy with TEFCA | Healthcare IT News
