Webhook Integration

Webhook integration is an event-driven communication pattern in which one system automatically sends real-time HTTP POST notifications to another system when a specific event occurs. Unlike traditional polling approaches where a client repeatedly checks for updates, webhooks push data to subscribers the moment an event happens, enabling near-instantaneous reactions to changes in system state.

In healthcare technology, webhooks are used to notify external systems about critical events such as a new prescription being created, a prescription status changing to dispensed, a clinical alert being triggered, a patient record being updated, or a digital signature being completed. Each webhook payload contains structured data describing the event, allowing the receiving system to process the information and trigger appropriate downstream actions.

Implementing webhooks in healthcare requires careful attention to security and reliability. Webhook payloads must be transmitted over encrypted connections (HTTPS), signed with HMAC or similar mechanisms to verify authenticity, and delivered with retry logic to handle temporary receiver failures. Healthcare webhook implementations must also ensure that sensitive patient data included in payloads is handled in compliance with privacy regulations.

Healthcare platforms use webhook integrations to create responsive, interconnected ecosystems. For example, when a digital prescription is signed and transmitted, a webhook can simultaneously notify the pharmacy system, update the patient portal, trigger an insurance verification, and log the event in an audit system, all without manual intervention or polling delays.