Recital 27

While EHR systems are widespread, the level of digitalisation of health data varies in Member States depending on data categories and on the coverage of healthcare providers that register health data in electronic format. In order to support the application of data subjects’ rights of access to and exchange of electronic health data, Union action is needed to avoid further fragmentation. In order to contribute to a high quality and continuity of healthcare, certain categories of health data should be registered in electronic format systematically and in accordance with specific data quality requirements. The European electronic health record exchange format should form the basis for specifications related to the registration and exchange of electronic health data.