The epSOS project develops an eHealth framework and ICT infrastructure that intends to enable secure access to patient health information among different European healthcare systems. The project, according to the European Commission, uses the European Health Insurance Card as one of the tools for identifying patients.

The European Health Insurance Card is being tested in the epSOS project for identifying patients. The epSOS project uses this card to allow holders to provide health professionals with the identification data they need to access the patient's electronic medical record or prescriptions when seeking healthcare in participating epSOS pilot countries - whether as tourists, business travellers, commuters or exchange students, for example. The use of this card is one of the subjects more asked to the Commission's services, as it was reported in February 2012.

The European Commission is co-financing the epSOS project because it considers that epSOS can make a significant contribution to patient safety by reducing the frequency of medical errors and by providing quick access to documentation. In emergency situations, this documentation provides the medical personnel with life-saving information and reduces the (sometimes needless) repetition of diagnostic procedures.

In particular, the project consists in developing an eHealth framework and ICT infrastructure that enable secure access to patient health information among different European healthcare systems. This includes making patients' medical records (Patient summary) available electronically and using cross-border electronic prescriptions (ePrescription). As from 13 April 2012, the technical, legal and organisational concepts developed within the framework of the project are subject to an extensive practical testing phase over one year.