Integrating with Epic, a leading EHR in healthcare, can be complex. We simplify the process with the Iguana Integration Engine.
Start creating seamless connections to Epic Systems, regardless of interface type: HL7v2, HL7v3, FHIR, Web Service, X12 and more.
Epic integration is rarely as simple as connecting to an API or enabling an HL7 feed. While Epic supports widely adopted standards such as HL7, FHIR, secure file transfer, and web services, real-world Epic integration projects often involve significant customization.
Healthcare organizations integrating with Epic quickly discover that no two Epic environments are identical. Each hospital or health system configures Epic differently, defines its own security policies, and maintains a unique implementation guide. As a result, every Epic integration must be approached as a tailored project—not a plug-and-play connection.
If you're planning an Epic integration, understanding the variables involved is essential before building interfaces.
Successful Epic integration starts with planning. Instead of diving right into the technical aspects of integrating with Epic, consider the following crucial factors to effectively plan and execute the integration:
Determine the Integration Direction
Are you sending data to Epic, receiving it, or supporting bidirectional data exchange?
Inbound Epic integration often requires strict conformance to Epic's data validation rules and acknowledgement workflows. Outbound Epic integration may involve API authentication, token management, and performance considerations. Clarifying the direction of integration influences architecture, monitoring, and security decisions.
Identify the Data Type for Your Integration
Different data formats often require specific transport protocols, and have distinct end points.
Integrating with Epic can involve a number of data formats and exchange methods, including HL7 via LLP feeds, FHIR via REST APIs, files via SFTP, and more. Each type introduces different structural requirements and operational constraints.
Review the Epic Implementation GuideThe implementation guide from Epic is a vital resource for successful integration as it provides essential technical specifications.
Even within a standard like HL7, variations like versions, optional segments, and site-specific customizations can impact compatibility. The guide will define message structures and required segments, transport protocols supported, security standards, authentication workflows, endpoint configurations, and sample data for testing. Aligning your integration's workflow with Epic's implementation guide is key to success.
Because implementation guides differ between Epic customers, template-based integration approaches can often fail. What works for one integration may be incompatible with another.
Organizations pursuing Epic integration frequently encounter similar obstacles:
Epic integration can be complex due to how highly configurable it is. To manage Epic integration effectively, organizations need an integration platform that supports customization, transparency, and scalability.
The Iguana Integration Engine was built specifically for complex healthcare environments that require flexibility, reliability, and maintainability. Rather than forcing Epic integration into rigid templates, Iguana provides a structured, code-based framework that allows you to adapt to each organization's Epic implementation guide.
Iguana supports all common Epic integration models within a unified platform:
Epic HL7 integration over LLP (TCP/IP)
Built-in connection components handle the transport layer, while your team retains full control over message logic and transformation.
This architecture allows teams to standardize how they approach Epic integration without sacrificing flexibility or transparency.
Successful Epic integration requires customization. Iguana's code-based development environment enables teams to:
Instead of abstracting away complexity, Iguana gives your team visibility into how each step of your integration behaves, ensuring maintainability as your integration evolves.
Operational transparency is critical in Epic integration environments. Iguana provides your team with:
When an Epic integration fails, your team can identify the issue quickly and resolve it without relying on external vendor support cycles.
Epic integration is not a one-time project. It's an ongoing operational responsibility. As organizations expand their integration, volume increases. What starts as one Epic interface can scale to hundreds of interfaces.
Choosing an integration engine that scales with that growth is essential. Iguana enables organizations to:
Epic integration will always be complicated. The right integration engine ensures that complexity remains manageable.
Is iNTERFACEWARE a service-based integration provider?
No, we’re not a service that builds Epic integrations for you. iNTERFACEWARE provides Iguana, an integration engine that gives your team the tools to build, manage, and maintain your own interfaces.
Unlike service-based models where a third party handles the integration work, Iguana puts you in control. This gives you the flexibility to meet system-specific requirements, make real-time changes, and avoid delays or dependencies on external vendors.
Many organizations choose Iguana because it offers greater visibility, customization, and scalability — especially when working in complex or evolving environments.
Who typically uses Iguana for Epic integration?
Iguana is designed for teams that want to build and manage their own integrations — typically healthcare software vendors, hospital IT departments, and developers.
To use Iguana effectively, you’ll need access to a developer or technical team. It’s a code-based platform, so programming is required. If you’re new to healthcare standards (like FHIR, HL7, etc.), our templates and tools can help you get started. But if you don’t have technical resources in-house or through a partner, Iguana likely won’t be the right fit.
Do you offer out-of-the-box integration with Epic?
Not exactly, but that’s by design. Instead of rigid, pre-built adapters, Iguana provides a flexible, code-based framework that empowers your team to build the exact integration you need.
We offer a pre-built Epic FHIR Component and a comprehensive collection of other Component templates to accelerate your development, but every implementation can be customized to your specific Epic instance and use case.
Why don't you offer plug-and-play Epic integration?
Because plug-and-play rarely works in practice. Even with so-called "universal" Epic adapters, integration usually breaks down due to system-specific configurations, workflow differences, and evolving requirements.
Iguana gives you full access to the code, so you can adapt and control every part of your interface — now and in the future.
How does Iguana connect to Epic?
Iguana supports connections via FHIR APIs, HL7 (over LLP), SFTP, and database connections — all common methods used by Epic. Our Epic FHIR Component provides a pre-built template as a guiding framework, handling authentication and core API operations, so your team can build interfaces faster.
What Epic interfaces can Iguana support?
Iguana can support FHIR APIs, HL7 messages (via LLP), flat files (via SFTP), and database connections — the common methods Epic uses to exchange data. Whether you're dealing with patient demographics, orders and results, billing data, or custom workflows, Iguana provides the tools to support those integrations.
Do I need to write code to integrate with Epic using Iguana?
Yes, and that's a benefit. It's a developer-centric platform that gives you full control and visibility by letting you write your own code in Lua, a lightweight scripting language that's easy to learn. You won't be starting from scratch though - our pre-built Components (like the Epic FHIR template) do much of the heavy lifting. Plus, Iguana's Translator IDE includes features like autocomplete, inline documentation, and live debugging to make development faster and easier.
How does Iguana's Epic FHIR Adapter help?
Our Epic FHIR Adapter is a pre-built Iguana Component that handles the OAuth2 authentication and core FHIR API operations required to work with Epic. It significantly reduces the time and complexity involved in connecting to Epic’s backend services, while still giving you the flexibility to adapt it to your needs.
Can Iguana integrate with any Epic environment (e.g., hospital-specific instances)?
Yes. Each Epic environment may have its own configuration, endpoints, and access rules. Iguana's flexible architecture allows you to adjust your interface code to meet those specifics, making it ideal for real-world Epic implementations.
How does Iguana differ from other integration tools?
While many integration tools rely on visual workflows (like drag-and-drop) or managed platforms, Iguana takes a developer-first approach — giving you direct control over your integration logic and data flows.
There are no “black boxes”. With full visibility and access to the code, you can fully customize each interface and build reusable modules for consistency and scale.
Many organizations choose Iguana after outgrowing simpler tools or looking to reduce long-term maintenance costs by owning their integration stack.
Is Iguana only for Epic integration?
Not at all. While we provide tools and templates to make Epic integration easier, Iguana is a universal integration engine designed to connect with any system (EHRs, LIS, RIS, databases, cloud apps, and more), through common transport methods like APIs, HL7, SFTP, and ODBC.
What kind of support can I expect from iNTERFACEWARE?
You won't be left on your own. iNTERFACEWARE provides responsive email and phone support, in-depth technical documentation, and access to optional Professional Services for more hands-on help.
Whether you need guidance building your first interface, developing a proof of concept, or solving a complex integration challenge, our team is here to assist. Many of our customers cite the quality of our support as one of the main reasons they chose Iguana.
