SMART on FHIR combines two important healthcare IT standards: SMART (Substitutable Medical Applications, Reusable Technologies) and FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources). Together, they create a way for healthcare apps to connect with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) securely and in a standard way.
FHIR, made by HL7, is a standard for quickly sharing medical data in a computer-friendly format. SMART adds security and ease by letting apps open inside EHR systems, verify user identity, and access patient data through common interfaces called APIs. This lets apps work right inside a provider’s usual workflow without separate logins or disconnected data.
More than 95% of hospitals in the U.S. use certified EHR systems. As of 2022, over 66% have started using FHIR APIs to allow patient data access. This shows that these standards are widely accepted, helping create a healthcare system where apps can function anywhere and for everyone.
One big challenge in healthcare IT is interoperability. This means how well different systems can talk to each other and share data. Many healthcare providers face problems with split-up records, old systems that are hard to update, and data in different formats. These problems can cause delays, errors, and unhappy providers and patients.
SMART on FHIR helps by giving a universal way to share data. It lowers the need for custom connections by making all apps communicate with EHRs in a standard way. Apps made once can work in many EHR systems like Epic, Cerner, and Allscripts without much change. That means faster use and wider availability.
Security is important too. SMART on FHIR uses OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect to check and authorize users. This makes sure only allowed people see patient data. It also meets important rules like HIPAA to keep information private and trust strong.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can change healthcare by doing routine jobs, helping decisions, and improving how patients get involved. But AI tools need easy and safe access to medical data in EHRs to work well. SMART on FHIR is key to this.
SMART on FHIR allows AI apps to work right inside EHR systems. This helps doctors and staff use AI tools without leaving their normal work. It makes adopting new technology easier and less disruptive.
For example, Infinitus is a healthcare AI company that made a SMART on FHIR app used in big EHR systems. Their voice AI automates phone calls like checking insurance and managing approval requests. Providers can start the AI from a patient’s EHR record, log in securely, and let the AI make those calls. The AI then sends the information back to the EHR, so staff can review it quickly. This saves doctors time on phone calls so they can care for patients more.
These apps use AI to speed up work, cut backlogs, lower costs, improve accuracy, and make patients happier.
Automating workflows with AI can help healthcare offices by easing tasks like scheduling appointments, checking insurance, getting authorizations, and calling patients back.
Using AI tools that work with SMART on FHIR lets healthcare groups add these automations directly to their existing EHR systems. This stops the need to switch between platforms or use separate apps. It makes work simpler and lowers mistakes or missed messages.
For example, front-office automation with AI voice assistants can answer patient calls, check insurance coverage, and manage referrals without staff doing each step. This frees staff from routine work. It also makes sure patient requests get fast answers, improving their experience and access to care.
AI agents use data from the EHR safely. They can personalize calls based on patient history, upcoming visits, and insurance details. This leads to more useful and fitting conversations for both patients and providers.
Also, automation helps keep good document records and logs all interactions, which supports following healthcare rules.
Improved Efficiency: Automating routine admin tasks cuts hours spent on calls, paperwork, and entering data. Practices save money and make fewer mistakes.
Seamless User Experience: AI tools inside the EHR avoid interrupts. Staff use everything from one system with no extra logins, which lowers training time and resistance.
Enhanced Patient Access: Fast insurance checks and automated patient contact help schedule appointments and coordinate care better, leading to improved health results.
Compliance and Security: SMART on FHIR ensures strong user checks and data protection to meet HIPAA and related rules.
Scalability and Future-Proofing: Apps built on SMART on FHIR work on many EHR platforms. Practices can pick solutions that grow with their needs and tech changes.
Data-Driven Decisions: AI helps collect and analyze data within EHRs. Providers get faster, accurate info to make good decisions.
Technical Skills: Teams need knowledge of FHIR, OAuth 2.0 security, and healthcare IT. A lack of these skills may delay use.
Legacy Systems: Older EHRs or IT setups might not fully support SMART on FHIR. Upgrades or workarounds may be required.
Vendor Support: Some EHR vendors do not fully support SMART on FHIR, limiting app choices and smooth connections.
User Training: Staff need training on new workflows and tools to use them well and consistently.
Cost and Resources: Starting costs for software, integration, and education must be planned against expected benefits.
Even with these challenges, the move toward interoperable and AI-driven automation is clear in modern healthcare. Practices that plan ahead can lower these barriers.
Using SMART on FHIR fits with efforts to build flexible, interoperable healthcare IT systems. Vendors like Mindbowser, Langate, and Infinitus offer solutions that connect AI and other apps with common EHR systems in the U.S., like Epic and Cerner.
Examples include:
Mindbowser’s HealthConnect CoPilot, a SMART on FHIR platform that turns clinical data into useful reports, helping manage care.
Apple Health Records, which uses SMART on FHIR to let patients safely link their health data with providers.
Boston Children’s Hospital, which developed apps for risk checks using SMART on FHIR to standardize data from EHRs.
These are real cases healthcare groups can consider for interoperability and automation.
As work processes get more complex, AI with SMART on FHIR acts like a digital helper for many patient and office tasks.
Insurance Verification: AI agents can quickly call insurers to check benefits, replacing long manual calls.
Prior Authorizations: AI automates approval requests to speed up treatment.
Appointment Scheduling and Reminders: AI systems manage calendars, confirm visits, and send reminders to patients.
Data Entry and Documentation: AI can fill forms or pull info from records to reduce mistakes and workload.
Patient Communication: AI assistants answer questions, provide basic health info, and pass harder questions to staff.
SMART on FHIR keeps these AI tools safe and in the right clinical context, using current and accurate data.
Healthcare providers in the U.S. see the need for technology that fits with existing systems and clinical work. SMART on FHIR is a basic technology that helps this.
Practice administrators and IT managers who learn how SMART on FHIR allows smooth integration and safe data sharing will be better at choosing AI tools that cut workload and support patient care.
As interoperability rules and AI tech improve, more apps will appear to handle routine tasks and help clinical decisions. This will boost care coordination and outcomes across healthcare.
By using SMART on FHIR, healthcare groups in the U.S. can prepare for a future where technology helps doctors and staff deliver good, efficient, and well-informed care.
Infinitus has launched a SMART on FHIR application designed for seamless integration with Electronic Health Records (EHRs), enabling AI solutions to be launched directly within popular health system record systems.
Users can activate the Infinitus voice AI agents directly from within a patient’s profile in the EHR system, allowing healthcare providers to initiate AI-driven tasks while staying in their existing workflow environment.
The voice AI agent can verify insurance benefits and manage prior authorizations, automating lengthy administrative processes to free healthcare staff for higher-value clinical tasks.
Health systems need to have SMART on FHIR capabilities, which most major EHRs support, allowing easy activation and integration of Infinitus AI solutions after user authentication.
After user authentication, the app securely pulls patient data from the EHR source, determines the appropriate AI call flow, and electronically transmits collected data for review and next-step decisions.
Embedding AI agents enhances patient care by streamlining access to services, reducing administrative burdens, improving operational efficiency, and enabling providers to focus more on direct patient care.
The primary users include healthcare providers within health systems who require improved patient access and streamlined administrative workflows supported by AI technology.
SMART on FHIR provides the open standards framework that facilitates interoperability, allowing Infinitus’ AI applications to be embedded and launched within existing EHR platforms.
The app authenticates the user, extracts relevant patient information, uses this data to guide AI agent interactions, and securely transmits results back for healthcare providers to assess and proceed.
Infinitus aims to streamline patient access, reduce administrative workload on healthcare workers, and make AI-powered support an effortless part of clinical and operational workflows through seamless EHR integration.
Simbo is using AI agents to automate all phone related workflows. Connect now to know more.
Schedule AI Agents Demo Now© Since 2019, Simbo AI.
