Understanding How Third-Party Apps Access Your Patient Data
One of the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) is to improve patients' access to their own health data. To facilitate this access, certified EHRs must implement FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, pronounced "fire"). FHIR is an application programming interface (API) that enables patients to securely view and download their health information through third-party smartphone and web apps of their choice. Examples of popular third-party apps include Apple Health and CommonHealth. Healthcare providers must implement FHIR in their electronic heath record systems by December 31, 2022.
This page includes the following topics:
- Enabling FHIR
- Understanding the Process for Connecting Apps
- Understanding How Patients Access Their Data
Enabling FHIR
The only action you need to take to enable FHIR is to ensure you're running the latest version of Eyefinity software. Eyefinity EHR 7.0 (December 2022 release) and ExamWRITER 15.3.4875 (December 2022 release) or later have FHIR enabled by default.
Understanding the Process for Connecting Apps
Third-party app vendors who want to connect to data in Eyefinity health records systems must request access from Eyefinity. Eyefinity will verify the request within ten business days and provide the vendor with API documentation. The vendor will follow the API documentation to connect their app to Eyefinity data.
This process does not place any additional work on providers or practice staff. If an app developer contacts your practice regarding FHIR API access, refer them to this page. App developers should select the Eyefinity software product they want to connect to by clicking the buttons below.
Understanding How Patients Access Their Data
Patients who want to access their data through a third-party app or web portal must install the app and create an account with the third-party vendor. Patients must follow the documentation provided by the third-party vendor to connect to their health records.
The patient will need the username and password they use to access the patient portal to access their records through the third-party app. Practice staff may need to help patients retrieve their usernames or reset their passwords. To retrieve usernames and reset passwords, refer to the following topics.
| Eyefinity EHR | ExamWRITER |
|---|---|
Eyefinity does not provide support—to practices or patients—for using or troubleshooting third-party apps. Contact the app vendor for help. Eyefinity does not recommend specific third-party apps.