Epic, a leading provider of medical records software, has introduced a new feature designed to simplify the process for patients to release their medical records to health and wellness applications. This enhancement aligns with the healthcare industry’s shift towards patient-centered care and increased digital technology integration. The new Individual Access Services (IAS) capability offers patients greater control over their health data, according to Rob Klootwyk, Epic’s Director of Interoperability.

Klootwyk emphasized that IAS will provide patients with immediate access to their health data while ensuring its security. This development is part of a broader industry initiative, supported by recent federal health tech policies, aimed at improving data sharing on a large scale.

In December, the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) network became operational, marking a significant advancement in nationwide data interoperability. TEFCA, though complex in name, sets universal standards for data sharing, including governance and technical requirements. IAS is one of the TEFCA’s designated “exchange purposes,” which also include treatment, payment, and public health.

Epic’s new IAS feature builds on existing patient access through application programming interfaces (APIs) and the MyChart tool. It enhances patient experience by automatically identifying all relevant providers and hospitals for easier data sharing. While patients still need to authorize disclosures, the process is now more streamlined.

Patients using health management apps or research tools will benefit from this feature, which simplifies data sharing across multiple systems. Epic has also introduced an educational screen to inform patients about the data being shared and its use.

Epic, as a Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN), is instrumental in the TEFCA initiative, with 498 hospitals committed to participating. As of late July, 52 health systems representing over 4,000 facilities were live on TEFCA, with additional systems pledging to join.

Judy Faulkner, Epic’s founder, highlighted the company’s long-standing commitment to data sharing and interoperability. Experts view this update as a significant step forward, improving patient access and data integration across the healthcare landscape.

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