SMART on FHIR
SMART on FHIR is a standard that enables secure, scalable healthcare apps to integrate with electronic health records (EHRs). It combines two major technologies — Substitutable Medical Applications, Reusable Technologies and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources — to support app development that is both interoperable and user-friendly for healthcare environments.
FHIR-enables">What SMART on FHIR enables
At its core, SMART on FHIR allows developers to create apps that can run across multiple healthcare systems. This standard supports modular, reusable application development. For healthcare organizations, this means they can use clinical or patient-facing apps without building them from scratch or customizing them extensively for each EHR vendor.
FHIR-supports-smart">How FHIR supports SMART
FHIR is a widely adopted standard for structuring and exchanging healthcare data electronically. It defines data formats and resources, such as patient demographics, medications, lab results, and encounters. When used with SMART, FHIR acts as the data layer — allowing applications to request, receive, and display Clinical Data in a consistent, secure way.
FHIR-matters-in-healthcare">Why SMART on FHIR matters in healthcare
SMART on FHIR enables seamless integration of new tools into Clinical Workflows. Instead of switching between separate systems, clinicians can access useful apps directly within their EHR interfaces. This improves usability, reduces duplicate work, and supports better care coordination. For patients, it can provide access to their health records and personalized services through mobile or web-based apps.
Use cases for apps
- Clinical decision support tools that offer guidelines or drug interaction checks
- Patient-facing apps that allow secure access to health records or appointment data
- Analytics dashboards that visualize lab trends or disease progression
- Apps that help coordinate care between multiple providers
Security and compliance features
Standard uses OAuth2 and OpenID Connect to manage secure Authentication and Authorization. Apps request permission to access certain types of data, and users can grant or deny access as needed. This built-in security ensures that data remains protected and compliant with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA.
Growing ecosystem and innovation
Many EHR vendors and healthcare organizations now support this standard, making it easier for developers to publish and distribute their apps widely. This promotes innovation by reducing the barriers to entry for Digital Health solutions and increasing the pace at which new tools reach clinicians and patients.
At Healthcare Integrations, we support organizations implementing SMART on FHIR applications through secure API integration, Workflow Optimization, and compliance guidance. Our goal is to help you make the most of this powerful standard.