VectorCare and Lyft Unveil the Smart on FHIR App
In a groundbreaking development within the healthcare sector, VectorCare has teamed up with Lyft to launch the "Lyft Smart on FHIR App." This innovative application integrates Lyft's transportation network directly into the Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR) workflow, enhancing patient care by making transportation scheduling seamless and efficient.
A Transformative Approach to Patient Logistics
With the aim of improving patient access to healthcare services, the Smart on FHIR App is designed to streamline the management of patient rides without the need for healthcare providers to leave their digital workflow. By utilizing the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards, this app allows healthcare professionals to coordinate rides in real-time, ensuring timely and reliable transportation for patients.
Key Features of the Lyft Smart on FHIR App
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In-EHR Ride Scheduling: Care teams can now order Lyft rides directly from a patient's electronic chart. This feature simplifies the scheduling process and eliminates the need for navigating between applications.
2.
Automated Data Sync: Patient demographics, appointment times, and destinations are automatically filled in through secure FHIR APIs, reducing manual entry errors and enhancing efficiency.
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Real-Time Ride Tracking: Health professionals can monitor the progress of a ride and get real-time updates on arrival status, ensuring that patients have a smooth journey.
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Streamlined Discharges: The app supports swift patient transport, facilitating timely discharges to home or post-acute care facilities. This can significantly reduce bed occupancy rates and improve hospital operational efficiencies.
Epic's Role in Healthcare Innovation
The Lyft Smart on FHIR App is notably the first of its kind to be integrated within the Epic App Market. This integration means that healthcare organizations can activate the solution within minutes and implement it into their systems in just a few hours. With its Smart on FHIR framework, VectorCare has made it possible for Lyft's services to blend seamlessly into existing healthcare workflows, addressing one of the most persistent issues in healthcare — patient transportation.
David Emanuel, the CEO of VectorCare, emphasized the importance of this integration, stating, "By bringing Lyft directly into the Epic ecosystem, we're closing one of healthcare's most persistent gaps — patient transportation." This reflects VectorCare's commitment to enhancing the intersection of healthcare and logistics.
Lyft's Vision in Healthcare
Lyft, which has made significant strides in the transportation sector since its inception in 2012, aims to serve and connect individuals better than ever. Betty Yen, Head of Healthcare Partnerships at Lyft, shared, "With our new Smart on FHIR App, powered by VectorCare, Epic users can now order and manage rides instantly — helping more patients get to appointments and home safely after hospital visits." This partnership underscores Lyft's belief that transportation should never be a barrier to receiving care.
Availability and Future Plans
Currently, the Lyft Smart on FHIR App is accessible to all Epic healthcare system customers via the Epic App Market. The goal is to evolve the application to support additional FHIR-enabled EHR platforms in the future, broadening access to Lyft's extensive healthcare transportation network across the nation.
About VectorCare and Lyft
VectorCare stands out as a leading patient logistics and workflow automation platform, enabling healthcare providers to efficiently coordinate services, ranging from transportation to home health solutions. In contrast, Lyft has established itself as a global mobility platform providing rideshare services, taxis, and more across thousands of cities worldwide. Together, they are committed to fostering a healthier, more connected world.
For more information about the app or to see how it can benefit your healthcare practice, visit
www.vectorcare.com.
Conclusion
The launch of the Lyft Smart on FHIR App represents a significant advancement in how patient transportation is managed within healthcare settings. By integrating advanced technology into existing workflows, healthcare providers can ensure that patients have reliable access to the care they need — ultimately improving health outcomes and patient satisfaction.