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Diving overview:
Oracle Health will apply to become a Qualified Health Information Network under the federal government’s Health Data Exchange Framework, the technology giant announced Monday. According to the HHS Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Commission) is a system that allows dozens to hundreds of health systems, public health agencies, payers, and health IT vendors to support the sharing of health information. is using QHIN on behalf of/Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. To receive formal designation, QHINs must complete technology and security testing and agree to data sharing rules prior to onboarding. TFCA went live with five QHINs in December, with two more organizations approved earlier this year.
Dive Insight:
TFCA is a major health data interoperability initiative that sets technical requirements and exchange policies for companies to integrate clinical information sharing networks across the country.
According to ASTP/ONC, organizations interested in becoming a QHIN, which serves as the “backbone” for network connectivity, must complete an application and onboarding before signing a common agreement. However, once formally designated, medical groups participating in a QHIN will be able to query and receive data from other QHINs.
Oracle is currently a member of the CommonWell Health Alliance, a QHIN that was officially designated in February. Oracle will continue to participate in the CommonWell exchange as it applies and moves through the QHIN process, the company said in a press release.
Oracle’s network is designed to support data types not typically available on other exchanges, such as X-ray and MRI, the company said. Oracle added that advances in medical data exchange and the variety of information available are key to leveraging new artificial intelligence capabilities.
More than two years ago, the tech giant expanded its presence in healthcare by acquiring Cerner, one of the largest electronic medical records vendors, for more than $28 billion. Executives said in earnings calls late last year and this spring that the Cerner division was a headwind for the company. But they promised the unit would return to growth soon.
The company also manages the EHR deployment challenges at the Department of Veterans Affairs that began before Oracle acquired Cerner. New developments in this record have been largely on hold for over a year to improve system reliability and performance.
But healthcare remains a major focus for Oracle. Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison said in April that the company wanted to move its headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee, to be closer to other health care companies such as HCA Healthcare.
