Electronic health records company Epic Systems confirmed a report from CNBC that it paused new enrollment in its app store in December due to security and privacy concerns.
The company's App Orchard store was established two years ago to give companies like Apple the ability to sync their services with patient data and to allow developers to interact with physicians. The app store established itself as a way for healthcare software developers to reach patients who were treated at large medical centers, including Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.
After Epic reduced charges for developers to integrate with App Orchard, a sea of smaller developers flooded it with applications. One source familiar with Epic's security concerns said this led to Epic more closely monitor its health apps.
In December, Epic temporarily halted enrollment over concerns of some third-party developers, the EHR vendor confirmed to CNBC.
“Over the last few months we updated our App Orchard policies to help assure that apps operate in ways that keep patient data safe, private and secure,” an Epic spokesperson told Becker’s. “During that time, the App Orchard remained open, registrations were received, but new enrollments had to wait until our policies were completed. New applications are currently being reviewed and approved.”
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