Tuesday, August 16, 2022
NextGen Healthcare, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, cloud-based healthcare technology solutions, has announced its intention to apply and become a Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). This move highlights NextGen Healthcare's commitment to promoting interoperability in the healthcare industry. The company, which supports over 100,000 providers with its ambulatory electronic health records (EHR) and practice management (PM) solutions, as well as one-third of health information exchanges (HIEs) across the country, aims to become the first ambulatory-focused solutions provider to achieve QHIN status.
Once accepted by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the governing body overseeing QHINs, this designation will enable NextGen Healthcare to participate in a national network of organizations that collaborate to share clinical data. By aligning with the TEFCA model, QHINs will exchange information with other QHINs, facilitating the vital flow of data necessary for interoperability.
David Sides, President and CEO of NextGen Healthcare, emphasized the importance of interoperability in achieving holistic patient care, stating, "Interoperability is the key to whole person health, and NextGen Healthcare is already a leader in facilitating the open exchange of data. With the infrastructure already in place, applying to become a QHIN is the next logical step and aligns with our mission of empowering every member of the care continuum with the data necessary to make the best decisions possible."
NextGen Healthcare's commitment to interoperability is demonstrated through NextGen® Share, a cloud-based solution that grants access to several national interoperability networks, along with other essential services. Leveraging this secure platform, NextGen Healthcare is well-positioned to establish a QHIN, drawing on its years of experience as an implementer of the Carequality interoperability framework. Presently, NextGen Healthcare facilitates the exchange of tens of millions of health-related documents monthly through national network exchanges. In addition, the company recently announced that NextGen® Enterprise was the first complete ambulatory EHR to receive the 2015 Edition Cures Update Health IT certification from the ONC, further exemplifying its leadership in interoperability in line with the guidance outlined by the 21st Century Cures Act.
Once established, QHINs will facilitate the exchange of treatment, payment, public health, and other healthcare-related data. NextGen Healthcare's QHIN will be vendor agnostic, supporting not only the company's clients but also users of other EHR systems, HIEs, HIT technology developers, and other participants in the healthcare ecosystem.
To learn more about NextGen Healthcare's interoperability efforts, interested individuals can tune in to a webinar titled "A Glimpse Into the Future of HIE: Deep Dive Into the Next Phase on National Network Connectivity" on August 16 at 9 a.m. PST.
