Key Learning Points:
Healthcare MCP deployments must address:
-
Data Residency: PHI must stay within controlled boundaries. MCP's architecture supports this because servers run in your infrastructure, not public cloud.
-
Audit Requirements: HIPAA requires logging who accessed what, when, and why. MCP's built-in observability provides these audit trails automatically.
-
Integration Patterns: Epic and other EHR systems expose FHIR APIs. The OpenAPI server type can wrap these without custom development.
-
Gradual Transition: Don't try to block shadow AI immediately. Provide better alternatives first, then gradually restrict unauthorized tools.
-
Stakeholder Alignment: The CIO must balance compliance (HIPAA), operations (physician productivity), and security. MCP addresses all three.