How to Integrate an EHR system like Epic, Cerner or MEDITECH

EHR adoption rates have climbed up to 96% . From small to big, healthcare providers are adopting EHR systems like Cerner, Epic, and MEDITECH for patient management. They get an electronic medical record system and layer other applications on top of it. It allows them to build a single, multi-component solution that connects healthcare data and provides controlled access.

Despite the clear benefits, EHR integration also brings interoperability challenges. It requires experience in API integration and expertise in implementing interoperability standards that most companies don’t have. Therefore, healthcare organizations often ask tech partners to help them connect multiple disparate third-party solutions to an EHR or EMR platform.

Keep reading and learn about the key EHR and EMR integration rules, and how to connect a system like Epic, Cerner EHR, or MEDITECH with third-party software.

EHR vs. EMR difference in terms of interoperability

Although the names are sometimes used interchangeably, an electronic health record (EHR) an electronic medical record (EMR) are two different notions. The level of interoperability and information breadth is the basic distinction between an EMR and an EHR.

An EMR is a limited amount of digital health information from a single practitioner or institution. An EHR is a compilation of available patient data history designed to be shared with numerous physicians of any specialization. To be short, the EHRs contain a broader range of information than EMRs. Let’s take a look:

EHRs incorporate many standards and laws for digital health systems. Why? Because many of these features must be coordinated across industries and organizations.

The EHR completely systematizes all information entered into the system by medical workers. Any doctor in the country can access the current data and share it with colleagues per request.

EMR/EHR integration makes life easier not for medical staff but also for patients. It allows them to download a person's whole medical history in seconds and saves time on formalities such as filling out personal and insurance information.

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Why integrate EHRs?

EHR integration gives relevant information about opportunities and financial or operational recommendations on a given stage of treatment. This encourages a more open doctor-patient connection, boosting patient engagement and commitment to your hospital.

1. Streamlining healthcare workflow

Having all your patient information on one platform can help create a seamless clinical experience and speed up communication about care plans. Medical and dental practitioners can provide patients with a more efficient experience by collecting, analyzing, and sharing patient data.

2. PHI is secure and safe

Once you have a HIPAA-compliant integrated EHR system with all the safeguards to protect your patient data from potential cyber-attacks. If you are transitioning from a paper-based system to an EHR solution, data is safe if an unforeseen incident such as theft, fire, or natural disaster occurs.

3. Improved healthcare outcomes

As a doctor, you can deliver a diagnosis and solid judgment on the problem based on up-to-date information available on one platform. A system coupled with an EHR also allows for a safer and more reliable means of issuing prescriptions.

4. Access PHI anytime

Accessing your patient data from any device gives way to more coordinated and efficient care. Everyone has access to up-to-date, correct patient information, whether the dentist is obtaining medical history information for treatment or administrators are accessing personal information to plan a follow-up therapy session.

5. Improved patient engagement

Patients are more involved in their health when they can access their health records from the comfort of their own homes and device. It reduces worry and eliminates the need to wait until they see their doctor. As a result, patients have more control over their care and better engagement with a healthcare institution.

6. Employee effectiveness

EPIC API integration automates most organizational processes. It frees the time of your employees and healthcare professionals which they can use to focus on providing excellent patient care and expanding their practice.

EHR integration API interoperability dispute: Why is integration complicated?

EHR or EMR integration allows for building a comprehensive healthcare system and uniting multiple teams. A healthcare organization becomes more effective while the quality of care improves. Integrated right, your system can increase the EHR ROI and yield long-term benefits.

Sometimes integration process is tricky. It implies many barriers you should consider:

Inconsistent data

Combining data from multiple applications in one system, you will face formatting difficulties. It will be necessary to convert thousands of records from one format to another to merge the information. Besides, you will need to follow the FHIR standard that requires using XML or JSON data formats.

Third-party technologies

To ensure EHR data interoperability, you will need to connect vital sign monitors, wearable devices, insurance systems, analytics platforms, and other solutions. Each of them has a different technological stack and integration requirements. Hence, the integration of third-party technologies poses certain complications..

Software integration can complicate EHR user experience

Four out of ten physicians believe EHRs don't help their work and bring more challenges than benefits. If you additionally integrate them with third-party software, the navigation can become even more complicated. Hence, it’s important to complete Epic, Meditech EMR, or Cerner integration carefully.

Security and regulatory issues

Apart from purely practical advantages, proper EHR and EMR integration are required by law. HL7 FHIR and USCDI interoperability standards are changing the healthcare regulatory landscape for the next decades. If you are late with FHIR implementation , get ready for penalties.

The maintenance of such a complex system needs continuous tech support and updates. Note: it might be a problem if you don’t have qualified tech experts on your team, especially in the healthcare industry, where patient data and service are extremely valuable.

Read also: Cybersecurity in Medical Devices

What's a typical cost of EHR integration

The EHR sector is expected to grow to $47.25 billion by 2027, according to a Valuates Report research . It illustrates how EHR integration has increased from the initial setup to include optimization over the last couple of years. Selecting, implementing, and optimizing is one of the most important components of EHR installation.

For multi-practice groups, the cost of a licensed EHR generally ranges between $100,000 and $200,000. Not only that, but an organization must also pay ongoing expenses, such as high first-year maintenance fees. In short, migrating structural data from traditional platforms to an EHR may incur additional costs.

We focus on the Epic EMR system, Cerner, and MEDITECH as the most widely used solutions. Based on recent statistics, Epic healthcare system (34.05%), Cerner (23.71%), and MEDITECH (14.67%) are the largest US EHR vendors by market share. They ensure a high level of interoperability for easy FHIR implementation and compliance.

Since an average healthcare provider needs to combine multiple apps, an electronic health records solution is a platform to build on. The connected third-party software usually includes:

• Telehealth software
• Medical devices and wearables
• Laboratory software
• Patient management software
• Referral management
• Billing software
• Prescription management software
• Precision dosing software
• Supplemental benefit administration software (e.g., non-emergency medical services)
• Patient-centric apps

The integration of EHR data with these third-party software allows us to create a detailed medical profile of a patient. Clinicians can access critical patient information, lab results, imaging, family history, emergency contacts, and other details. They can send these records to their colleagues to ask for advice or discuss treatment. Administrative departments that manage insurance refunds and billing also win from Meditech, Cerner, and Epic interoperability of EHR with third-party software. It enables them to access patients’ records for quick payment processing instantly.

EHR and EMR integration solutions: EHR API, integration modules, or middleware

There are several ways to connect third-party solutions with integrated EHRs. Note that you can use native HL7, FHIR APIs, EHR integration modules, or middleware.

Nowadays, most EHR systems offer EMR/EHR APIs integration as the easiest way to connect several solutions and achieve interoperability. Software integration through an EHR API takes much less time than EHR integration modules or middleware. Moreover, using API in healthcare is one of the FHIR standard requirements. It ensures secure PHI transmission without any changes or formatting issues.

API integration means that several apps are connected through an application programming interface. In this case, you link the desired EMR interface and the third-party software. Once you complete the integration, the EHR and app will share API requests.

How the EHR integration with API works

1. The application triggers the EHR/EMR API to complete the necessary request
2. It processes the request and sends it to the EHR system
3. The EHR system provides the necessary information to the EHR/EMR API that returns it to the third-party app,

In reality, API requests take a fraction of a second to complete. Still, patient management software can run thousands of such requests simultaneously. The reliability of API data transmission is the reason to prefer EHR API integration over other approaches.

You can choose from EPIC API, Cerner API, Meditech API, or any other EHR APIs offered by software vendors. Once you decide what EHR or EMR API is best for you, proceed with the integration.

How to integrate an EHR through an API in 4 steps?

Despite many ways to connect EHR data with third-party software, here we’ll focus on EHR APIs integration. Binariks recommends this approach to our customers as an optimal way to achieve interoperability in healthcare.

#1. Check the rules of EHR API integration

Make sure EPIC , Cerner , MEDITECH , or another EHR integration with API supports the software you want to connect. Applications may have outdated versions that don’t work well with leading electronic medical record systems. Thus, it’s better to contact the support team of the software vendor before integrating EPIC.

#2. Get your API key

The second point is to sign in on the website of an EHR provider to get your HL7 FHIR API key.

#3. View what EHR data is available

Go through the main data categories as inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, and enrolment to see whether the EHR/EMR API integration has the necessary endpoints. It will ensure that the connected third-party software can access the desired records.

#4. Do some testing and complete the integration with EHR

Be sure all the API endpoints work as expected and finalize the integration. You will also need to test the system and check how the Epic EHR integration solutions interact with the connected third-party software.

These are the standard Epic integration with API stages. Remember that every electronic health records system has unique characteristics and requires an individual approach.

You can try to complete the integration yourself using EHR integration API guidelines or request professional help. Binariks offers EHR system integration services for our healthcare customers across the globe.

What to choose between Epic, Cerner, and MEDITECH?

Epic and Cerner are both cloud-based software development businesses with a high market share in the healthcare industry. In 2020, Cerner controlled around 25% of the entire EHR market share, compared to Epic's 31%.

Cerner is a more popular option in clinical and ambulatory care, where Epic hopes to grow with its unique solutions. Both provide revenue cycle management, interoperability, mobile access, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine software development to reduce expenses.

However, there are several areas in which their opportunities differ:

• Cerner does not have a CRM, although Epic does.
• Cerner offers consulting services, but Epic does not.
• Epic integration does not give consumers real-time data, but Cerner does.

Cerner merges healthcare and information technology to connect more people and integrate more systems. Its primary goal is to provide Ambulatory EHR solutions suitable for many practices, including specialist offices, urgent care facilities, and group medical clinics.

Cerner interoperability assures HIPAA compliance for software development and improves organizational productivity. On the other hand, Epic is an EHR provider with 54% of all medical records in the United States.

To sum up, Epic's solutions are perfect for hospitals searching for simple, secure, and effective ways to manage electronic medical data.

Binariks experience in EHR integration

Binariks is a healthcare software development company that offers EHR data transfer and engineering services. Our engineers can handle any technology requirement, from creating remote patient monitoring software to telemedicine solutions.

We created a web and mobile app for an electronic visit verification platform that improves hospital management. Our devoted developers use various technologies, including React Native, Java, and Swift, and have shown exceptional proactivity in providing a high-quality healthcare product .

What’s more, our experts redesigned the healthcare platform to solution architecture and followed FHIR. The supplier of non-emergency medical transportation aimed to facilitate interoperability and ease connections with third-party administrators and clinics.

Then again, visit our portfolio for additional information about healthcare success cases.

Final thoughts

Interoperability in healthcare enables providers to share the same records, making treatment decisions more data-driven. Integrated EHRs and third-party software optimize insurance reimbursement , speed up access to patient records, connect referring doctors and specialists, and yield numerous other benefits.

Epic is the easiest integration with FHIR API ensuring data interoperability compliance and smooth communication between the connected software.

If you seek professional tech assistance, Binariks offers best practices for EHR integration services. We connect third-party software to Cerner, MEDITECH, Epic, or any EHR system of your choice.

Let’s get in touch to discuss your tech needs for projects.