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Provider Guide

Your patient wants to share their health records with you. Here's how to receive them.

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What is this?

Your patient is using a consumer health app that connects to health data networks. They can securely share their complete medical records with you using a SmartHealth Link — either as a QR code you scan or a URL you open.

Your patient has a QR code — here's how to use it

Your patient will show you a QR code containing a SmartHealth Link to their health records. The best way to receive it depends on your setup.

Best: Use your EHR's built-in tool

Many EHR systems now include a tool for scanning SmartHealth Link QR codes and importing the data directly into the patient's chart. This is the most secure option because the data goes straight into your system.

Check with your EHR vendor, or see the CMS guide below for EHR-specific instructions.

Alternative: Use the open-source scanner

If your EHR doesn't support SmartHealth Links yet, you can use a free, open-source tool to securely scan and view the patient's records.

Open-source scanner→

(Link coming soon)

Last resort: Regular phone camera

You can scan the QR code with any smartphone camera. This will open the records in your browser as a viewer with a PDF download. However, this is only recommended if you have a secure way to transfer the data into your system. A PDF on a personal phone may not meet your security requirements.

What data is included?

Depending on what the patient has collected, the shared records may include:

  • Diagnoses and conditions
  • Medications and allergies
  • Lab results and vital signs
  • Immunization records
  • Clinical notes and visit summaries
  • Procedures and care plans

Is this secure?

Yes. SmartHealth Links use encryption and can be set to expire or require a passcode. The data is transmitted using the same FHIR standard your EHR already uses. The patient controls what is shared and for how long.

What standards does this use?

  • FHIR (HL7)— the standard for health data exchange
  • SmartHealth Links— secure, shareable links for health records
  • TEFCA— the Trusted Exchange Framework for nationwide health data sharing

Set up your EHR

Get specific instructions for your EHR system — whether it supports SmartHealth Links natively or needs the open-source scanner.

Find your EHR →

Want to make this easier for your patients?

If you'd like to make your practice SmartHealth Link-ready so patients can share records with you seamlessly, we can help.

Get connected→

This guide is part of the Kill the Clipboard initiative.