Support the integration of the EHR system with related systems.

Within a given organization (for example, an institution, facility , or integrated care-delivery network), an EHR system may be directly integrated with other systems (for example, a laboratory Information System, Radiology System, Pharmacy System, or Hospital Information System). Conversely, an EHR system may access these other systems indirectly by integrating with a system that serves as the central routing mechanism for the organization. For example, the EHR system may be integrated with the Hospital Information System which then routes the EHR system's orders to a laboratory , pharmacy, or radiology service.

Depending on the type of information that is exchanged within an integrated-system environment, certain heuristics may be needed that will help govern the information exchange process. Example: For example, an immunization order and a hearing test should be cancelled for a patient who recently died; a heuristic algorithm should manage that cancellation request from the EHR system to interested members within the integrated network. Another example is that certain information imported into a care plan should be exported to some members of the care team, while other members of the care team might only receive a notice that the new information exists.