TBA
Emergency medical services rely on timely, accurate information to make critical decisions in high pressure situations. North Carolina’s statewide health information exchange, NC HealthConnex, was created to close information gaps and give providers, including EMS, real-time access to essential clinical data that can directly improve patient outcomes.
Established by the North Carolina General Assembly through the 2015 Statewide Health Information Exchange Act, NC HealthConnex connects hospitals, practices, behavioral health providers, and other health care organizations across the state. While certain providers are required to participate due to state funding, many others join voluntarily because the exchange enhances care coordination, supports value-based care, and improves communication across the care continuum.
For EMS professionals, NC HealthConnex offers tangible, field-ready benefits. Access to a patient’s medical history, including medications, allergies, chronic conditions, recent encounters, and care plans, can be lifesaving when seconds matter. Tools such as patient record querying, Admission–Discharge–Transfer (ADT) notifications, and secure provider-to-provider messaging give EMS agencies critical insights that support safer decision-making en route and more effective handoffs at receiving facilities. Whether managing a complex chronic illness case, responding to a high-acuity call, or treating a patient unable to communicate, NC HealthConnex equips EMS teams with information that enhances care, reduces duplication of services, and strengthens continuity across emergency and post-acute care settings.
Attendee Takeaway
EMS professionals will leave with a clear understanding of how NC HealthConnex delivers practical, immediate value in emergency settings, helping crews make informed decisions faster, improving coordination with hospitals, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes across North Carolina.
1. Explain the foundation of NC HealthConnex, including legislative requirements and how EMS agencies fit into the statewide connectivity landscape.
2. Highlight value-added services and real-world EMS use cases, demonstrating how access to clinical data improves emergency response, triage, and patient handoff.
3. Showcase the NC HealthConnex Provider Clinical Portal, with a focus on features and workflows most relevant to EMS personnel.