Community Connect (CC) Iowa links Iowa community hospitals to the Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR) used by UI Health Care, enabling shared records and coordinated care. Researchers can now use Community Connect data for human subjects research under certain conditions.

A formal reliance agreement has been negotiated with a number of Community Connect locations to allow the use of protected health information for specified research purposes.  These locations are specifically identified in the IRB application.  UI Health Care approval is required for all research uses prior to the submission of an IRB application.   

Information on this process can be found on The Loop.  (can only be accessed by those with a UI Health Care appointment)