Costa Rican context
Artificial intelligence in medicine in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, the digital medical record is marked by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and the Unique Digital Health Record (EDUS). The adoption of clinical artificial intelligence must respect personal data protection, professional confidentiality, and the procedures of each healthcare provider.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
- Central document: health record.
- National infrastructure: EDUS in the CCSS.
- Privacy: Law 8968 and Prodhab supervision.
CLINICAL AND DIGITAL FRAMEWORK
Medical records and artificial intelligence in Costa Rica
Single Electronic Health Record
EDUS integrates clinical information within the CCSS network and facilitates continuity of care. It does not eliminate the professional obligation to review, complete, and safeguard documentation. CCSS: Single Electronic Health Record ↗
Data protection
Law 8968 protects individuals against the processing of their data. Clinical data require special care regarding access, purpose, retention, and transfer. Prodhab: data protection regulations
System organization
The CCSS concentrates a large part of public service delivery, while the private sector operates with its own files and processes. A tool must adapt to the specific environment where it is used. CCSS: service network
Clinical documentation challenges in Costa Rica
- Maintain continuity between levels of care without duplicating information.
- Document consistently both inside and outside the CCSS network.
- Define accesses, persons in charge, and human review before adding content to the file.
These challenges are not solved with more text. They require useful information, defined owners, and a review process that corresponds to actual practice.
Reference hospitals and institutions in Costa Rica
These institutions help understand the scale, specialization, and care models of the country. The selection is informative; it is not a ranking nor does it imply affiliation with Itaca.
Mexico Hospital
San Jose. CCSS High-Complexity Reference Center.
Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Hospital ↗
San Jose. National hospital with multiple specialties and teaching activity.
San Juan de Dios Hospital
San Jose. Historical benchmark institution within the public network.
EDUS does not represent all clinical workflows in the country
EDUS is central to continuity within the CCSS network, but it does not make the processes of a private clinic, an independent medical office, and a public facility identical. Each organization maintains its own managers, forms, permits, and procedures for adding documentation to the medical record it uses.
An AI test must begin with a specific document—for example, a consultation note or a summary—and demonstrate who reviews the draft, where it is stored, and what data leaves the institutional environment. It must also distinguish between information necessary to provide care and secondary uses. This separation helps to apply Law 8968 and provider policies without assuming that being connected to a system equates to having authorization for any processing.
The pilot must measure how much content requires correction and whether the final note improves continuity without increasing archiving work.
What to evaluate before adopting clinical AI
In Costa Rica, it is advisable to verify where data is stored, how consent is documented when applicable, which individuals can access it, and how a revised note is incorporated into the file used by the organization.
- Maintain continuity between levels of care without duplicating information.
- Document consistently both inside and outside the CCSS network.
- Define accesses, persons in charge, and human review before adding content to the file.
Less paperwork without confusing Itaca with EDUS
Itaca helps professionals and teams prepare clinical documentation, query information using sources, and organize cases. The professional reviews the results and retains control over clinical decisions.
To compare this framework, see Medical AI by country, AI for Doctors, Clinic software, security and privacy, and the contexts of Panama and Nicaragua.
Public sources for further reading
Informative content prepared on September 12, 2026. Use this page as initial guidance. Before deciding, confirm the current regulations and policies of your organization.
Frequently asked questions about medical AI
Does Itaca integrate automatically with EDUS?
This page does not claim automatic integration. The organization must verify its technical flow and decide how to incorporate the reviewed documentation into the file it uses.
Does Law 8968 apply to clinical data?
Personal health data requires special care. The specific application depends on the controller, the purpose, and the flow of information.
What is the difference between the CCSS and a private clinic?
The systems, personnel, and institutional procedures are changing. The workflow must be evaluated in the actual environment where care will be provided.
How can Itaca help?
Itaca can prepare drafts of notes and documents while the professional retains review, correction, and final approval.