Bryan Health’s TEFCA Integration
Bryan Health has successfully implemented a groundbreaking connectivity solution by leveraging its Epic electronic health record (EHR) system to participate in the federal Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). The Lincoln, Nebraska-based health system announced this significant milestone on November 20, marking a major advancement in their commitment to seamless patient care coordination.
This strategic integration represents more than just a technical upgrade—it fundamentally transforms how patient information flows across healthcare boundaries. By joining TEFCA this fall, Bryan Health has positioned itself at the forefront of nationwide health information exchange initiatives.
Understanding the Trusted Exchange Framework
What Is TEFCA?
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement is a federal initiative designed to standardize and secure health information exchange among healthcare providers, insurance payers, and public health agencies. This framework establishes common technical standards and governance requirements that enable different health IT systems to communicate effectively and securely.
TEFCA addresses one of healthcare’s most persistent challenges: ensuring that critical patient information is accessible wherever and whenever it’s needed. The framework creates a nationwide network of trust that breaks down traditional data silos while maintaining robust privacy and security protections.
The TEFCA Infrastructure
Central to TEFCA’s operation are Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs), which serve as on-ramps to the national exchange network. These networks must meet stringent federal requirements for security, privacy, and operational standards. Epic Systems’ Epic Nexus network achieved QHIN designation in 2023, providing Epic users like Bryan Health with streamlined access to this nationwide data-sharing ecosystem.
Impressive Growth in Data Sharing
Expanded Network Connectivity
The impact of Bryan Health’s TEFCA participation has been immediately measurable. According to the health system’s announcement, their data-sharing partnerships expanded dramatically from approximately 1,500 organizations to nearly 2,200 partners. This 47% increase in connectivity means Bryan Health patients benefit from broader access to their medical histories across more healthcare facilities nationwide.
Record Exchange Volume Surge
The quantitative results are equally impressive. Monthly health record exchanges have increased substantially, rising from more than 600,000 transactions before TEFCA participation to over 800,000 monthly exchanges. This 33% increase in data flow demonstrates the immediate operational value of TEFCA integration and reflects growing utilization of interconnected health information systems.
Epic’s Role in Health Information Exchange
Epic Systems has emerged as a leading facilitator of nationwide health information exchange through its Epic Nexus network. By obtaining QHIN status in 2023, Epic created a pathway for its extensive user base to participate in TEFCA without requiring individual organizations to navigate the complex certification process independently.
This infrastructure advantage allows healthcare organizations like Bryan Health to leverage existing EHR investments while expanding their interoperability capabilities. The Epic Nexus connection provides approved organizations with the technical framework and governance structure needed to exchange health data securely under federal TEFCA standards.
Benefits for Patients and Providers
Patient-Centered Care Continuity
Bryan Health emphasized that TEFCA participation ensures patients’ medical records follow them wherever they seek care. This continuity is crucial for patient safety, care quality, and treatment efficiency. When emergency department physicians, specialists, or primary care providers can access complete patient histories, they make better-informed decisions and avoid redundant testing.
Provider Efficiency and Clinical Decision Support
For healthcare providers, expanded data access translates to improved clinical workflows and better decision-making support. Physicians can review comprehensive medication histories, previous diagnostic results, and specialist consultations from other facilities, leading to more coordinated and effective treatment approaches.
The Future of Connected Healthcare
Bryan Health’s TEFCA integration represents a significant step toward the vision of truly connected healthcare in America. As more organizations join the network and exchange volumes continue growing, patients will experience increasingly seamless care transitions regardless of where they receive treatment.
The health system’s early adoption positions it as a regional leader in health information exchange, demonstrating commitment to leveraging technology for improved patient outcomes and operational excellence.
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