C-CDA (Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture)

The Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture (C-CDA) is a standardized format used by healthcare providers to create, share, and organize patient health information electronically. It ensures that clinical documents—like medical histories, lab results, and discharge summaries—are consistent and easily exchangeable across different health systems and electronic health record (EHR) platforms. This standardization improves communication among healthcare providers, helps ensure accurate and complete patient data, and supports better coordinated care. Essentially, C-CDA acts as a common template that makes sharing health information more reliable and efficient.