Healthcare is changing fast: new systems make sharing patient info way easier.
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – August 6, 2025: The way healthcare works is about to get a whole lot easier. New rules and cool tech are finally knocking down the walls between patient info systems worldwide. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other big health groups are pushing for real data sharing. The goal is to change how patients are cared for, make public health better, and give people way more say over their own health info.
Why We Need a Better System
For years, patient info has been stuck in different computer systems that don’t talk to each other. Because of this, doctors can’t easily share info between hospitals or clinics.
This means patients have a clunky experience. Doctors have to use old-school methods to get info. This wastes time, can cause repeat tests, delays diagnoses, and might lead to mistakes.
One big change is the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) in the United States. TEFCA, which was created by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), is trying to build a network of networks so health info can be shared safely across the country.
This framework has been in the works for a while, and now it’s bringing on its first Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs). These QHINs will be like hubs that connect everyone in healthcare, from big hospitals to small practices.
Europe is doing something similar with the European Health Data Space (EHDS). Starting March 26, 2025, the EHDS wants to make it easier to share data across countries by creating a standard format for electronic health records.
Both TEFCA and EHDS want to go beyond the old way of sharing data, where it’s just between two sources. They are building a system where patient info can be accessed quickly and safely, no matter where it came from.
What’s Making This Possible?
These new rules are thanks to the spread of new tech. One of the most important is Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), which is an open standard from HL7 International.
FHIR is a game changer because it uses modern web tech. Instead of sharing one huge document, FHIR lets doctors share just the important bits of patient info, like lab results or medications.
This makes it way easier for different systems to talk to each other. It’s like how apps on your phone can get data from one place. Big electronic health record companies like Epic and Oracle are already using FHIR.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also helping out a lot. AI can clean up data from different sources, point out mistakes, and help doctors understand a patient’s whole medical history.
The use of application programming interfaces (APIs) is becoming normal. APIs allow data to flow in real time. A doctor can instantly get a patient’s history from another network with their permission, instead of waiting for faxes or emails.
Still Some Issues
Even though things are moving forward, there are still some problems to solve before we have full data sharing. One of the biggest is keeping data private and getting patient consent.
Rules like HIPAA in the U.S. and GDPR in Europe are good, but they can make sharing more difficult. The challenge is to create a system that shares data but still lets patients control who sees their sensitive info.
Sometimes, people intentionally block data sharing, which is still a problem. The ONC Cures Act Final Rule, which is a key part of the new system, punishes those who do this.
Not having data standards is another big challenge. Even with FHIR, different systems might use different codes for the same info, which can cause confusion and mistakes.
It can also be expensive and hard for smaller hospitals and practices to update their old systems. They might not have the money or tech skills to switch to new platforms that can share data.
What Patients and Doctors Get Out of It
Sharing patient info has lots of well-known benefits. Patients will have a smoother and more joined-up care experience.
For example, a cancer doctor can quickly see a patient’s full history, including reports from another hospital, without waiting. This means faster and better treatment decisions.
It also lowers the risk of repeat tests. A study at Mount Sinai Health System found that sharing records cut down on duplicate tests by 30%.
For public health, being able to access anonymous, real-time data is really helpful. Health groups can spot new sickness outbreaks, track trends, and create plans based on facts quickly.
Patients will also have more control over their own health. The new systems will let people see their medical records instantly through portals and apps, which makes care more focused on the patient.
What’s Next?
Getting to a point where healthcare systems can all share data easily is a long project. The groundwork has been laid, but making systems like TEFCA and EHDS a success will take teamwork between the government, tech companies, and healthcare providers.
In the next few years, the focus will be on making sure everyone can participate. We need to give smaller groups money and training to join the new networks.
The industry needs to keep working on the tech and ethical issues around patient data. Making privacy protections stronger and having clear rules will be key to earning the public’s trust.
The goal is to create a healthcare system that works as smoothly and reliably as the global financial system. These new systems and rules aren’t just about tech; they’re about changing how care is given and experienced.
