97% Hospital Coverage: How Bi-Directional Interoperability Is Closing the Loop for EMS Agencies

Introduction: A New Era of Connected Emergency Care

The future of emergency response lies in seamless communication between the field and the hospital. As agencies seek more efficient, patient-focused operations, bi-directional interoperability is fast becoming the gold standard. It allows EMS crews to access critical medical information on-scene and ensures hospitals are ready with patient details before arrival.

Accessing Patient Histories in Real Time

With advanced interoperability capabilities, first responders can now retrieve real-time patient data at the point of care. This includes medication lists, allergies, recent procedures, and insurance details. Rather than relying on what a patient can recall or on incomplete handoffs, crews gain instant access to accurate, structured data that improves clinical decision-making. This capability is especially impactful in time-sensitive, high-risk situations.

Nationwide Reach: 97% Hospital Coverage with Carequality

Unlike regional HIEs that only offer partial access, First Due connects EMS agencies to the Carequality Network, a national health information exchange that covers more than 96% of U.S. hospitals. This broad interoperability ensures responders can access patient histories regardless of where someone lives, was treated, or is currently visiting. Whether a patient is local or out-of-state, crews can retrieve their medical data in seconds, ensuring continuity of care from anywhere in the country.

From Integration to Impact: A Complete Data Exchange

Real interoperability is not just about pulling patient history. It is about closing the loop. First Due allows agencies to send completed ePCRs directly to hospitals in both structured and unstructured formats. The data automatically routes into hospital systems like Epic's Care Everywhere tab, where it becomes actionable clinical input. Hospitals can then send outcome data back to EMS for use in QA, training, and system performance improvement. This two-way exchange strengthens care, builds accountability, and fosters trust between EMS and hospital teams.

Interoperability Is a Team Effort

Technology is only one part of the equation. For interoperability to succeed, EMS and hospital stakeholders must align around shared goals, roles, and workflows. EMS leaders need to understand how their documentation feeds hospital systems. Hospital IT teams must prepare their systems to ingest EMS data not just as documents, but as clinical resources. Regular communication, clear data expectations, and cross-functional governance ensure the connection stays strong and useful over time.

Built on Standards, Backed by Compliance

Interoperability also relies on technical and regulatory infrastructure. First Due’s connections are built on nationally recognized data standards and powered through networks like Carequality and TEFCA's QHIN framework. The solution complies with HIPAA, the 21st Century Cures Act, and the HITECH Act. These guardrails ensure data is exchanged securely and appropriately, even across organizational and state lines.

Planning for Real-World Challenges

Even the best systems face obstacles: delayed ePCRs, missing patient identifiers, or temporary network outages. A robust interoperability plan accounts for these realities by building in fallback workflows and feedback loops. First Due supports automatic delivery confirmation, retry protocols, and structured guidance to ensure data gets where it needs to go, even when things do not go perfectly.

From Documentation to Clinical Insight

The true power of bi-directional interoperability lies in its clinical impact. When EMS can access a patient’s existing conditions before administering care, they can avoid contraindicated treatments and improve decision-making. When hospitals receive EMS data before arrival, they can prepare faster and tailor care more precisely. When outcome data flows back to EMS, agencies gain insight that supports QA, training, and strategic planning. It transforms documentation from a reporting obligation into a tool for real-time, data-driven care.

How First Due Powers the Entire Exchange

First Due is not just enabling data transfer. It is delivering an end-to-end solution that integrates seamlessly with the agency's operations. From the moment a call is received to the final outcome report, First Due supports clinical workflows, automates documentation with AI, and routes critical data to and from the hospital, all without VPNs, custom integrations, or added complexity. With coverage of 97% of U.S. hospitals, national compliance certifications, and no vendor lock-in, First Due helps EMS agencies participate fully in the modern healthcare ecosystem.

Interoperability Without Limits

For EMS agencies, hospital data exchange is no longer optional. It is foundational. Agencies that embrace bi-directional interoperability today are building a stronger, more responsive, and more connected future for prehospital care. And with First Due, that future is already within reach.