Exploring the Surge of Information Blocking Complaints in Healthcare
In recent years, there has been a surge of information blocking complaints in healthcare. These complaints arise when healthcare providers intentionally or unintentionally prevent or interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information. Such interference can occur in various forms, including technical, financial, or organizational barriers.
Information blocking can occur at different levels, such as between healthcare providers, between healthcare providers and patients, or between healthcare providers and health IT developers. It can also arise from conflicts of interest, such as when a healthcare provider wants to retain patients by preventing their access to their health information.
There are several reasons why information blocking is a cause of concern in healthcare. First, it can impede the delivery of high-quality patient care by preventing healthcare providers from accessing critical patient information. Second, it can hinder care coordination and patient engagement by limiting patients’ ability to access and share their health information. Finally, it can result in substantial financial and legal consequences for healthcare providers who engage in information blocking.
Despite the potential risks, information blocking remains prevalent in healthcare. However, in recent years, the federal government has taken steps to address this issue. In 2016, Congress passed the Cures Act, which includes provisions to deter information blocking and promote the interoperability of health IT systems.
One of the key provisions of the Cures Act is the imposition of penalties on healthcare providers who engage in information blocking. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) has also defined several types of information blocking, such as technical blocking, resources blocking, and workflow blocking, to provide more clarity and guidance to healthcare providers.
Moreover, the ONC has also established a certification program for health IT developers that promotes the development of interoperable health IT systems and tools that enable patients to access their health information easily. The ONC has also set up a website where patients can report instances of information blocking.
Despite the efforts made by the government, information blocking remains a persistent problem in healthcare. Therefore, healthcare providers must take proactive steps to ensure that they do not engage in such practices. They must also invest in interoperable health IT systems and tools that enable seamless exchange of health information.
In conclusion, information blocking is a critical issue in healthcare that hinders the delivery of high-quality patient care, limits care coordination and patient engagement, and incurs substantial financial and legal consequences. While the government has taken steps to address this issue, healthcare providers must also shoulder their responsibility by investing in interoperable health IT systems and avoiding practices that prevent or interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information.
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