Overview of the i2X Project
A new initiative aimed at connecting electronic health record (EHR) systems across Europe has been launched, backed by €8 million in funding from the European Commission. The project, known as i2X (Intelligent Implementation of the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format), commenced on April 1, 2025, and represents a significant step towards establishing the European Health Data Space.
Project Goals
The primary objectives of the i2X project include:
- Facilitating communication between various health information systems across Europe.
- Ensuring the storage, exchange, and interpretation of health data using a standardized language.
- Enhancing care coordination and reducing inefficiencies in healthcare delivery.
Consortium and Leadership
The project involves a consortium of 38 partners from 12 EU member states, including:
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Portugal
- Spain
Leading the consortium is Eduardo Freire Rodrigues, co-founder and CEO of the Portuguese health tech company UpHill. He emphasized the project’s alignment with UpHill’s vision of a patient-centered healthcare system.
Key Features of the Project
The i2X project focuses on the EEHRxF (European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format), which supports both primary and secondary uses of health data. This includes:
- Direct patient care.
- Policy-making, research, and innovation.
According to Henrique Martins, the project coordinator, i2X will utilize AI and advanced technologies to promote seamless interoperability in European healthcare, ensuring that healthcare professionals are not overburdened while delivering real benefits to patients.
Implementation and Pilot Projects
Over the next four years, the initiative plans to launch 35 pilot projects in five critical areas:
- E-prescriptions
- Lab and test results
- Patient summaries
- Medical imaging
- Discharge reports
These pilot projects will test the practical application of the new health data exchange format, ensuring that digitalization enhances patient care without increasing the workload for healthcare professionals.
Expected Outcomes
The project aims to:
- Facilitate access to and sharing of health data across borders.
- Improve healthcare for patients traveling or residing in different EU countries.
- Enhance care coordination and reduce costs associated with duplicate medical procedures.
- Increase patient access to their health data by 75% and improve the availability of high-quality, structured health data in EHRs by 80%.
Ultimately, the initiative is expected to directly benefit over 3 million European citizens through the involvement of at least 1,200 healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
The i2X project represents a significant advancement in the integration of health data across Europe, aiming to create a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare system.