San Francisco is set to enhance its health and human services through a new data exchange framework established by the passage of AB133 in July 2021. This initiative aims to provide timely access to usable electronic information for all health and human services providers across California, ultimately improving the quality of care for individuals in need.

The framework, managed by the California Health and Human Services Agency's Center for Data Innovation and Insights, marks a significant commitment to integrating health and human services data. This is a notable shift, as historically, these sectors have operated in silos. The new data sharing agreement, which healthcare organizations in California signed earlier this year, is expected to facilitate information exchange by February 2026.

Currently, most healthcare organizations in California are already participating in data exchange, which has led to millions of records being shared. However, the challenge remains in ensuring that human services organizations can effectively share their information. The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) is actively involved in advocating for better representation of safety net organizations in this process.

One of the exciting developments is the upcoming integration of the Unite Us program, an online community resource directory that will allow healthcare providers to make and track referrals to community-based organizations directly through their electronic health records (EHR). This initiative aims to streamline the referral process and improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, the DPH is working on enhancing its relationship with the San Francisco health plan to automate information sharing, moving away from the current manual processes. There are also plans to improve emergency medical services by enabling paramedics to access patient information in real-time during emergencies.

In terms of language access, the DPH has made strides by rolling out tools in multiple languages, including Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, to improve communication with patients. This includes updates to the Epic MyChart platform, which will soon support simplified Chinese, further broadening access for non-English speaking residents.

As the DPH progresses with the Epic Behavioral Health Services project, it has transitioned from planning to implementation, focusing on building a solution that meets the needs of behavioral health services. This project is expected to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery in the coming months.

The developments from this meeting highlight a significant step forward in integrating health and human services in San Francisco, promising improved care and access for the community. As these initiatives unfold, the city is poised to set a precedent for data sharing and collaboration across California.