SUMMARY
EHR Integration
Michael has been part of the caregiving industry for over 18 years now. Having served a long service sentence, he has seen the ins and outs of the industry. He wishes to run an efficient healthcare system.
Michael desires a dynamic solution for his organization to effectively manage patient data, improve medical outcomes, and maintain a steady care flow. In short, his healthcare solution needs a robust integration with Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
If your inner Michael is in a similar situation, read about the need for a strong backbone through EHR Integration.

Introduction to EHR Integration
EHRs have revolutionized how stakeholders manage, share, and access patient healthcare records.
Integrating EHR systems into Michael’s healthcare solution will give his organization the power to lead efficient diagnosis and treatment. Integrating several EHR systems is crucial for enhancing patient care, minimizing errors, and increasing healthcare delivery efficiency.
This article will explore the technical aspects of EHR integration, including the types of EHR integration, benefits, challenges, and best practices to be followed.
Types of EHR Integration
There are two main types of EHR integration: horizontal and vertical.
Horizontal integration entails linking various EHR systems utilized within the same healthcare ecosystem. This integration allows healthcare practitioners to communicate patient information smoothly while enhancing care coordination and decreasing the need for redundant tests or treatments.
Let’s consider Michael’s case. Horizontal integration is when Michael’s organization integrates its Electronic Medical Records system in various departments, such as emergency, radiology, and pharmacy. With horizontal integration, these departments can share patient information seamlessly – saving time, money, and effort.
Benefits of EHR Integration

Are you one who relates to Michael’s story? Does the need for an efficient system haunt your ambitions to make it great in the healthcare industry?
What are the obstacles your organization might face during EHR Integration?

Best practices to be followed while integrating EHR systems
3 Top Tools for a Seamless EHR Integration
There are several popular EHR integration tools available in the market. The top three are listed below:
Cerner
Cerner is a popular EHR vendor among healthcare organizations, offering a range of features and functionalities. Cerner provides integration capabilities with the help of its API called Cerner Open Developer Experience (CODE) which allows third-party developers to build Cerner EHR-integrated applications.
Epic
Epic is a well-known EHR vendor that has easy-to-use interfaces and offers integration features. It has APIs known as Epic APIs, which enable third-party developers to create apps that integrate easily with Epic EHR.
Athenahealth
A cloud-based EHR system, Athenahealth helps healthcare providers manage patient data and clinical workflows. Third-party developers can build applications with Athenahealth API called Athenahealth Developer Portal.