Onward Links Patient Transportation Directly to Medical Records to Save Caregivers Time
San Francisco, Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
By syncing patient transportation data directly into medical records, Onward’s new platform eliminates manual data entry, giving healthcare workers valuable time back to focus entirely on patient care.
Bridging the Interoperability Gap
On May 26, 2026, Santa Rosa, California-based Onward Health Inc. officially launched a universally bi-directional SMART on FHIR integration [1]. This technology connects the company’s patient transportation platform directly to any Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, facilitating real-time data exchange without the need for custom middleware [1]. The integration relies on OAuth2 authentication and is fully compatible with major EHR providers, including Epic, Cerner, Meditech, and Point Click Care [1]. Healthcare interoperability has long been a hurdle in patient logistics, often leading to delayed discharges and administrative bottlenecks [GPT]. By embedding transportation coordination directly into the clinical workflow, Onward aims to establish a new operational standard for the industry [1].
Clinical Validation and Operational Impact
Before its broader market release in late May 2026, Onward Health Inc. developed and rigorously validated this integration in collaboration with UCSF Health’s Epic environment [1]. Following this successful testing phase, the technology went live across several major healthcare networks, including Stanford, HonorHealth, and the El Camino health system [1]. For medical facilities looking to adopt the platform, Onward projects a standard implementation timeline of three to four weeks, meaning a facility initiating the process today could be fully integrated in 21 to 28 days [1].
Beyond Basic Transit and Broader Tech Trends
Onward Health Inc. caters its transportation solutions to a variety of healthcare entities, including Health Systems, PACE Programs, Health Plans, and individual clinics [1]. The core of the company’s offering is its “Companion Rides” service, which eschews standard curbside drop-offs in favor of door-through-door transportation [1]. These rides are facilitated by specialized Companion Drivers who are trained to assist seniors, disabled adults, and low-acuity patients requiring minor physical support [1].