eClinicalWorks advances interoperability with AI-driven insights that transform care delivery

The U.S. healthcare industry is often characterized as fragmented, with many patients seeing multiple providers.¹ Since patients often receive care at multiple facilities with diverse healthcare systems, accessing previous medical records and coordinating care can be challenging.

Interoperability refers to the seamless exchange of health information, which is considered a cornerstone of value-based care, ensuring coordinated care among providers such as primary care physicians and specialists. Lack of data sharing directly impacts the quality of care, underscoring an urgent need for improved mechanisms to integrate nationwide health information systems.²

eClinicalWorks takes measures to advance interoperability in healthcare

Early this year, eClinicalWorks, through PRISMANet, achieved QHIN (Qualified Health Information Network) designation, participating in national health information exchange initiatives such as the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). This allows eClinicalWorks users to exchange records with hospitals (for inpatient care), outpatient clinics and medical practices, nursing homes for long-term care and other providers that are part of the TEFCA Network.

In July, eClinicalWorks, along with other leading healthcare system providers, attended the launch of the CMS Digital Health Tech Ecosystem initiative at the White House, introducing an interoperability framework to promote seamless sharing of healthcare data.³ This framework is significant in establishing new industry interoperability standards.

As part of the CMS initiative, eClinicalWorks pledged support to implement the CMS Interoperability Framework, empowering patients, providers and their apps with real-time access. Additionally, eClinicalWorks pledges to eliminate the use of clipboards by enabling systems to accept patient data via QR codes or Smart Health Cards/Links.

How interoperability helps improve patient care

Interoperability solutions, such as the new AI assistant for PRISMA, an AI-powered health information search engine, provide a wealth of patient information from primary care providers, specialists, clinics, urgent care centers and hospitals nationwide, regardless of the EHR in use.

• Empowering patients: With the implementation of new strategies across the healthcare industry following the CMS pledges, interoperability will enable patients to access their own health information, encouraging greater engagement in their healthcare journey and enhancing transparency. When patients can easily access their medical records, they can better understand their health conditions, monitor their progress and make informed decisions alongside their healthcare providers.
• Point-of-care benefits
• Continuity of care: Enabling healthcare providers to access complete and up-to-date medical records at the point of care enhances continuity of care. For instance, a cardiologist reviewing a patient’s complete medical records, including recent lab results and imaging studies from their primary care visit, can make a more informed decision.
• Coordinated care: Interoperability facilitates a holistic approach to managing chronic conditions. For example, a diabetic patient may require a comprehensive treatment plan involving an endocrinologist, dietitian, diabetes specialist and primary care physician.
• Efficient use of resources: Interoperability not only enhances patient satisfaction but also reduces healthcare costs by preventing duplication of medical testing or surgical interventions. This efficient use of resources aligns with the goals of value-based care models, which emphasize outcomes over volume.⁴

The future outlook: AI and interoperability

The integration of AI in healthcare has gained prominence; using AI in clinical data management tools can further advance real-time access to a patient’s health information. AI helps summarize and highlight key details from large volumes of patient data, making it easier for providers to review information quickly. For example, Blue Bonnet Family Medicine Health and Wellness Clinic, a family practice located in Ennis, Texas, implemented the AI Assistant for PRISMA and is now able to better serve patients and save several minutes on each appointment. Moving forward, adopting these advancements will be key to building a healthcare system that not only supports value-based care but also establishes new standards for interoperability.

The journey toward a fully interoperable healthcare system is both a technological shift and a crucial step in transforming patient care. All healthcare entities, including hospitals, nursing homes and medical practices, should prioritize data sharing. This move is expected to significantly enhance clinical decision-making, reduce unnecessary healthcare costs and empower patients to take a more active role in managing their health.

References

1. Kern, L.M., Bynum, J.P.W., and Pincus, H.A. 2024. Care fragmentation, care continuity, and care coordination — how they differ and why it matters. JAMA Intern Med184(3):236-237. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10923120/.
2. Torab-Miandoab, A., Samad-Soltani, T., Jodati, A., and Rezaei-Hachesu, P. 2023. Interoperability of heterogeneous health information systems: a systematic literature review. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 23(1):18. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9875417/.
3. McFarlane, C. July 31, 2025. CMS and the White House launch new health data ecosystem. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissamcfarlane/2025/07/31/cms-and-the-white-house-launch-new-health-data-ecosystem/.
4. Khalil, H., Ameen, M., Davies, C., and Liu, C. 2025. Implementing value-based healthcare: a scoping review of key elements, outcomes, and challenges for sustainable healthcare systems. Front Public Health 13:1514098. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12014573/.