The initiative will be deployed in three phases beginning in October and will enable easy data transfer to East Alabama for telemedicine and clinical studies.

The data exchange project is believed to be one of the first efforts between two non-affiliated hospitals to openly share patient data in real-time.

Randolph Medical and East Alabama are setting protocols for a range of issues, including how patient consent is secured and which medical personnel can view which documents.

"Hospitals across the country are wrestling with how, where and to whom to provide patient information. We're very much under the microscope on this initiative," said Randolph Medical Center CEO Tim Harlin.