HEALTHCARE CASE STUDY – BigRio Success Stories
Accelerating Lab Test Ordering with Epic Integration A Scalable Strategy for Healthcare Connectivity
DownloadAbout the Client
The client is a leading diagnostic company, renowned for its comprehensive lab services across pediatrics, oncology, neurology, and rare diseases. With a legacy rooted in academic excellence and clinical innovation, the client empowers providers and patients with accurate, actionable insights to support personalized care and advance precision medicine.
Challenge
With increasing demand for transparency, accessibility, and seamless communication in healthcare, the client sought to introduce a secure, patient-facing portal that could deliver genetic test results, support bi-directional messaging, and integrate with core systems, including Epic and their internal Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
The client wanted to:
- Evaluate technology pathways for patient portal deployment
- Define Minimum Viable Product (MVP) functionality that aligns with the client’s workflows and user needs
- Map technical requirements and integration strategy with Epic (FHIR/HL7) and internal LIMS
- Recommend infrastructure and DevSecOps practices for long-term scalability and HIPAA compliance
Solution
BigRio was brought in to conduct a comprehensive discovery and feasibility assessment, guiding the strategic direction for portal implementation and technical design.
- Evaluation of Portal Delivery Models
BigRio assessed four potential implementation approaches:
• Epic MyChart Extension
• Third-Party Platforms (Bridge, Caspio, Clinked)
• Custom Portal Development
• Provider-Facing EMR Portal Only (no patient access)Each model was compared across critical dimensions such as:
• Patient experience & usability
• Branding control and flexibility
• HIPAA compliance & data security
• Technical complexity & integration feasibility
• Total cost of ownershipAfter evaluating test ordering, result delivery, and status update capabilities across these models, Epic Aura emerged as the most efficient and scalable solution.
Key reasons included:
• Native integration with Epic EMRs
• Compatibility with Care Everywhere, Beaker, and Bridges
• Streamlined maintenance through Epic-supported updatesBigRio recommended Epic Aura as the foundational architecture for long-term interoperability.
- Build & Onboarding Strategy
To address the time and cost of onboarding new provider organizations, BigRio used the “Accelerate” Model—an Epic-standardized build that allows the client’s services to be rapidly activated across institutions with minimal customization.BigRio’s Accelerate Model:
• Reduces integration lead times
• Enables consistent onboarding experiences
• Supports scalability across diverse Epic clientsBigRio provided a tailored implementation playbook detailing steps for activation using Epic’s existing frameworks.
- Multi-EMR Interoperability Assessment
Recognizing the diversity of its client base, the client also required a strategy for non-Epic EMR systems.BigRio evaluated:
• FHIR endpoints for modern EMR platforms
• HL7 v2 interfaces for legacy systems
• SSO-enabled portals for secure, credentialed accessEach approach was assessed based on its ability to:
• Support real-time test ordering
• Enable transparent result tracking
• Ensure secure and compliant data exchangeA multi-pronged interoperability strategy was proposed, aligned with the client’s scalability goals.
- Ordering Workflow Analysis & Data Exchange Mapping
To ensure seamless end-to-end integration, BigRio analyzed the client’s internal lab workflows, mapping:
• Order intake points across provider channels
• Data touchpoints within the client’s LIMS
• Result generation and reporting mechanismsBased on this, BigRio designed bidirectional integration pathways to support:
• Real-time order placement
• Status update feeds
• Final result delivery directly into EMRs - Infrastructure, Hosting & Compliance Recommendations
BigRio conducted a forward-looking assessment of infrastructure and compliance requirements:
• Compared cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) for HIPAA-compliant hosting
• Proposed encryption models and access control mechanisms
• Defined a DevSecOps approach for secure, vendor-neutral code delivery
• Proposed a set of infrastructure and DevOps best practices tailored to the client’s compliance and scalability needs.The proposed architecture ensures data fidelity while minimizing manual interventions.
Outcome
Deliverables included:
• Epic Integration Roadmap – Strategic guidance for phased Epic Aura implementation
• Comparative Analysis – Evaluation matrix for Epic Aura, HL7, FHIR, and Custom software development
• Technical Architecture Diagrams – Visual mappings for each integration method
• Integration Sequencing Plan – A phased approach to minimize disruption and ensure continuity
BigRio’s discovery engagement enabled the client to:
• Define a clear path for scalable Epic integration
• Shorten the onboarding timeline for new clients
• Enhance transparency for referring providers
• Build a foundation for future multi-EMR interoperability
With a unified technical strategy in place, the client is well-positioned to deliver a modern, frictionless genetic testing experience for its providers and patients alike.
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