In this report, you\u2019ll learn:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>","takeaways":[{"icon":"shield","text":"The basics of \u2028EHR integration"},{"icon":"monitor-check-dark","text":"The relationship between integration and interoperability"},{"icon":"network-circles","text":"How to solve common integration barriers "},{"icon":"data","text":"How EHR integration drives better social care outcomes"},{"icon":"arrow-right","text":"And More!"}],"text":"","tiles":null},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"Introduction ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"introduction","wysiwyg":"Introduction<\/h2>\r\nIn 2014, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended<\/a> specific social drivers of health (SDOH) data be documented in electronic health records (EHRs), underscoring a broader shift in how healthcare systems approach patient care.\r\n\r\nEHRs have revolutionized the way providers manage and access clinical information by providing a digital repository of patient health data, yet they often lack the ability to natively capture social factors that significantly impact a patient\u2019s health.\r\n\r\nHowever, the ongoing effort to bridge the gap between medical and non-medical factors \u2014 from both a technological and clinical perspective \u2014 speaks to the larger transformation in healthcare today. Beyond the improvements in workflow efficiency, integrating SDOH data into EHRs enables the healthcare industry to create a more scalable, patient-centered system of care.\r\n\r\nThis holistic approach could not only redefine how health outcomes are improved at both individual and community levels, but in shaping the future of integrated, value-based care.\r\n\r\n
"},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"The Role of EHRs and Social Care Technology Today","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"The Role of EHRs and Social Care Technology Today<\/h2>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniteus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Group-37491.png\")
<\/p>\r\n
Source:<\/span> Becker's Hospital Review<\/a><\/p>\r\nAs of 2021<\/a>, 96% of all non-federal acute care hospitals and nearly 4 in 5 office-based physicians had implemented a certified EHR system.\r\n\r\nAt the same time, SDOH screening and referral technology<\/a> has been on the rise, which is designed to help securely identify, capture, and address the non-medical aspects of a patient\u2019s health, such as housing stability, transportation needs, food stability, and more. Studies have shown that SDOH accounts for up to 80% of a person\u2019s health outcomes<\/a>, emphasizing the importance of addressing these factors to improve holistic health.\r\n\r\nBy integrating SDOH information directly into EHRs, providers can seamlessly create a comprehensive, 360-degree view of their patients with speed, efficiency, and accuracy.\r\n\r\nThis visibility empowers providers to:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \t- Create more personalized care plans to address holistic needs;<\/li>\r\n \t
- Capture information that helps direct targeted interventions; and<\/li>\r\n \t
- Send closed-loop referrals to track patient journeys and health outcomes for more informed care insights;<\/li>\r\n \t
- Improve population health at scale<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"blockquote","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","text":"\u201cIntegrating social care into the EHR is essential for helping clinicians feel more comfortable addressing social care needs, so they can better support patients once they walk out their doors.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\n- Katie Keating, VP, Sales Engineering<\/span>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"The Building Blocks of EHR Integration","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"
\r\n\r\nThe Building Blocks of EHR Integration<\/h2>\r\nEHR integration is the process of connecting an EHR system, such as Epic, with other healthcare tools to securely exchange information, supporting patient-centered workflows and data access at the point of care. EHR integration enables authorized healthcare professionals to quickly and securely access comprehensive medical records for the patients they serve, regardless of where the information was initially recorded.\r\nA Closer Look at Integration and Interoperability<\/h3>\r\nBoth integration and interoperability are essential components of comprehensive patient care, and a well-rounded interoperability strategy must include robust system integrations.\r\n\r\nIntegration<\/strong> is the foundational step that translates information between systems. For example, Unite Us\u2019 closed-loop referral system<\/span> can be seamlessly integrated into an EHR, enabling healthcare providers to conduct SDOH screenings and manage referrals directly from their familiar EHR interface. This minimizes manual data entry and the need to toggle between systems.\r\n\r\nInteroperability<\/strong> builds on integration so that data is not only transferred but also usable where and when needed, whether for a clinician\u2019s workflow at the point of care or for data-driven population health strategies. Interoperability also involves real-time data exchange, which is critical for timely decision-making.\u00a0 For example, Unite Us\u2019 platform<\/span> enables clinicians to view the social care referral history for the patients they serve within the EHR, presented as if it were native to the EHR.\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniteus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Group-37488.png\")
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Role of Technology<\/h3>\r\nTo achieve true interoperability, systems must adhere to common data standards so that data from one system can be understood and utilized by another. Recent federal policy advancements, driven by ONC and the 21st Century Cures Act, emphasize the use of SMART on FHIR standards and APIs:\r\n\r\n \t- FHIR<\/a> (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources)<\/strong>: A framework for defining and exchanging standardized healthcare data. FHIR defines discrete elements for data standardization and exchange through FHIR bundles and APIs.<\/li>\r\n \t
- SMART<\/a> (Substitutable Medical Applications Reusable Technologies)<\/strong>: Builds on FHIR to help define the standards for apps within EHRs.<\/li>\r\n \t
- API<\/a> (Application Programming Interface)<\/strong>: A set of rules or protocols that enable software systems to communicate and exchange information in a structured way. APIs are the backbone of both integration and interoperability.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAt Unite Us, we leverage APIs, SMART on FHIR and other HL7 protocols to give our partners the ability to connect data or unlock functions from the Unite Us' platform directly within their system of record. This allows users to:\r\n
\r\n \t- Automatically send information (like an SDOH screening) that is created in their source system (like an EHR or case management system) to Unite Us;<\/li>\r\n \t
- Receive an automated list of resource recommendations for a patient\u2019s social needs in the EHR, which can be shared with the patient through an After-Visit Summary or through a patient portal;<\/li>\r\n \t
- See social care referral status and history directly in their source system (such as an EHR or case management system); and<\/li>\r\n \t
- Leverage social care data beyond the point of care to inform population health strategies.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nBy combining these elements, Unite Us puts necessary information at healthcare providers' fingertips. In this way, integration and interoperability not only enhance the speed and accuracy of care delivery but also empower clinicians to make more informed decisions. They can ask different and more relevant questions about a patient's social drivers of health, leading to proactive and personalized care plans.\r\n\r\nIn summary, a robust interoperability strategy that includes system integrations is essential for bridging the gaps between different healthcare platforms. Unite Us' approach demonstrates how these technical advancements can work together to provide a holistic view of patient care, ultimately improving health outcomes and community well-being."},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"Solving Common Barriers to EHR Integration ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"
\r\n\r\nSolving Common Barriers to EHR Integration<\/h2>\r\nDespite the industry\u2019s widespread acceptance of EHRs as a healthcare standard and shift towards more holistic care models, barriers still persist when it comes to SDOH data integration.\r\nData Privacy and Security<\/h3>\r\nProtecting the privacy and security of sensitive health information is critical to supporting EHR integration, with both patients and healthcare providers highly focused on safeguarding personal health data."},{"acf_fc_layout":"icon_and_highlight","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","icon":"lock-2","text":"Solve this with: <\/strong>\r\nA secure, HIPAA-compliant social care platform with strict access requirements to protect sensitive data and keep patients in control of their information. "},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"Complexity ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"Complexity<\/h3>\r\nTechnical challenges include maintaining data consistency, mapping fields between systems, and addressing compatibility issues. The complexity of these tasks can often lead to extended implementation timelines and unexpected costs."},{"acf_fc_layout":"icon_and_highlight","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","icon":"lock-2","text":"Solve this with: <\/strong>\r\nA partner that staffs a professional services team with the unique expertise needed to drive effective implementation and integration, arming your organization with the tools and strategy needed to elevate your social care strategy."},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"Training and Adoption ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"Training and Adoption<\/h3>\r\nImplementing comprehensive training programs is essential for healthcare and social care workers. Training tools should be designed to familiarize users with the integrated system\u2019s features and functionalities, enabling them to efficiently navigate and use the system."},{"acf_fc_layout":"icon_and_highlight","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","icon":"lock-2","text":"Solve this with: <\/strong>\r\nA partner that offers training services to support users through initial implementation and beyond. For instance, user support portals like Unite Us Learn help ease the transition and enhance user adoption."},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"5 Benefits of EHR Integration ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"
\r\n\r\n5 Benefits of EHR Integration<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8250\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1610\"]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniteus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Frame-15636.png\")
5 Benefits of EHR Integration[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n \t- Support a more holistic approach to patient care<\/strong> by equipping providers with the comprehensive insights they need to appropriately assess and address both clinical and social needs. Integrated data can be used to create more personalized care plans that address whole-person health needs.\r\n
\r\n \t- Unite Us enables providers serving a shared client to maintain a single, unified, longitudinal patient record\u2014preventing duplicate records and allowing providers to easily understand social needs at the point of care without having to toggle between different systems.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
- Improve population health<\/strong> by facilitating a more cohesive and scalable approach to managing a patient\u2019s health. Providers can better identify patients with immediate social needs, address gaps in care, and with the right platform, track patient outcomes throughout their entire care journey, leading to improved patient insights and better health outcomes.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Enhance collaboration and decision support<\/strong> by fostering improved communication and collaboration between providers, community-based organizations (CBOs), government agencies, health plans, community health workers, and other key stakeholders. Unite Us' platform automatically recommends programs and services that are the best fit for patients based on their screening results, providing decision support for clinicians and facilitating stronger communication across the patient journey.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"EHR](\"https:\/\/uniteus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/EHR-messages.png\")
\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n \t- Reduce administrative burden<\/strong> by streamlining workflows, automating data transfers, and centralizing key patient information. Not only does this save valuable time and effort, enabling providers to focus more on patient care, but it also helps increase accuracy of patient data by mitigating the potential for manual errors.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Reduce hospital readmissions<\/strong> by understanding and addressing social factors that impact a patient\u2019s ability to manage their health, and implementing targeted interventions accordingly. For example, if a patient\u2019s screening reveals difficulties in accessing follow-up care or medication, healthcare teams can proactively connect them with community resources to mitigate these issues. This kind of proactive approach helps patients manage their health more effectively outside of a clinical setting, reducing the likelihood of readmission and improving long-term outcomes.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
"},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"The Role of EHRs and Social Care Technology Today","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"
The Role of EHRs and Social Care Technology Today<\/h2>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
Source:<\/span> Becker's Hospital Review<\/a><\/p>\r\nAs of 2021<\/a>, 96% of all non-federal acute care hospitals and nearly 4 in 5 office-based physicians had implemented a certified EHR system.\r\n\r\nAt the same time, SDOH screening and referral technology<\/a> has been on the rise, which is designed to help securely identify, capture, and address the non-medical aspects of a patient\u2019s health, such as housing stability, transportation needs, food stability, and more. Studies have shown that SDOH accounts for up to 80% of a person\u2019s health outcomes<\/a>, emphasizing the importance of addressing these factors to improve holistic health.\r\n\r\nBy integrating SDOH information directly into EHRs, providers can seamlessly create a comprehensive, 360-degree view of their patients with speed, efficiency, and accuracy.\r\n\r\nThis visibility empowers providers to:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \t
\r\n\r\nThe Building Blocks of EHR Integration<\/h2>\r\nEHR integration is the process of connecting an EHR system, such as Epic, with other healthcare tools to securely exchange information, supporting patient-centered workflows and data access at the point of care. EHR integration enables authorized healthcare professionals to quickly and securely access comprehensive medical records for the patients they serve, regardless of where the information was initially recorded.\r\n
A Closer Look at Integration and Interoperability<\/h3>\r\nBoth integration and interoperability are essential components of comprehensive patient care, and a well-rounded interoperability strategy must include robust system integrations.\r\n\r\nIntegration<\/strong> is the foundational step that translates information between systems. For example, Unite Us\u2019 closed-loop referral system<\/span> can be seamlessly integrated into an EHR, enabling healthcare providers to conduct SDOH screenings and manage referrals directly from their familiar EHR interface. This minimizes manual data entry and the need to toggle between systems.\r\n\r\nInteroperability<\/strong> builds on integration so that data is not only transferred but also usable where and when needed, whether for a clinician\u2019s workflow at the point of care or for data-driven population health strategies. Interoperability also involves real-time data exchange, which is critical for timely decision-making.\u00a0 For example, Unite Us\u2019 platform<\/span> enables clinicians to view the social care referral history for the patients they serve within the EHR, presented as if it were native to the EHR.\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\nThe Role of Technology<\/h3>\r\nTo achieve true interoperability, systems must adhere to common data standards so that data from one system can be understood and utilized by another. Recent federal policy advancements, driven by ONC and the 21st Century Cures Act, emphasize the use of SMART on FHIR standards and APIs:\r\n
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n\r\nSolving Common Barriers to EHR Integration<\/h2>\r\nDespite the industry\u2019s widespread acceptance of EHRs as a healthcare standard and shift towards more holistic care models, barriers still persist when it comes to SDOH data integration.\r\n
Data Privacy and Security<\/h3>\r\nProtecting the privacy and security of sensitive health information is critical to supporting EHR integration, with both patients and healthcare providers highly focused on safeguarding personal health data."},{"acf_fc_layout":"icon_and_highlight","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","icon":"lock-2","text":"Solve this with: <\/strong>\r\nA secure, HIPAA-compliant social care platform with strict access requirements to protect sensitive data and keep patients in control of their information. "},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"Complexity ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"
Complexity<\/h3>\r\nTechnical challenges include maintaining data consistency, mapping fields between systems, and addressing compatibility issues. The complexity of these tasks can often lead to extended implementation timelines and unexpected costs."},{"acf_fc_layout":"icon_and_highlight","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","icon":"lock-2","text":"Solve this with: <\/strong>\r\nA partner that staffs a professional services team with the unique expertise needed to drive effective implementation and integration, arming your organization with the tools and strategy needed to elevate your social care strategy."},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"Training and Adoption ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"
Training and Adoption<\/h3>\r\nImplementing comprehensive training programs is essential for healthcare and social care workers. Training tools should be designed to familiarize users with the integrated system\u2019s features and functionalities, enabling them to efficiently navigate and use the system."},{"acf_fc_layout":"icon_and_highlight","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","icon":"lock-2","text":"Solve this with: <\/strong>\r\nA partner that offers training services to support users through initial implementation and beyond. For instance, user support portals like Unite Us Learn help ease the transition and enhance user adoption."},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_layout_title":"5 Benefits of EHR Integration ","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","id":"","wysiwyg":"
\r\n\r\n5 Benefits of EHR Integration<\/h2>\r\n
5 Benefits of EHR Integration[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n \t