The Battle Against Information Blocking: What You Need to Know

As technology advances, health information sharing between medical providers has become more accessible and efficient. However, information blocking – the practice of intentionally preventing or hindering the exchange of electronic health information – significantly stunts the progress and benefits of interoperability. This article dives into what information blocking is, what drives it, and measures taken to curb this illegal practice.

What is Information Blocking?

Information blocking refers to any interference or hindrance that intentionally obstructs, slows down, or prevents the exchange of electronic health information (EHI). Information blocking, commonly practiced by healthcare providers, vendors, or health information exchanges, violates the interoperability regulations defined by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Such illegal practices can result in lost opportunities to improve clinical practice, waste of money, and, most alarmingly, harm to patient safety.

What Drives Information Blocking?

Several valid reasons can justify providers’ reluctance to share their patients’ EHI. For instance, misaligned incentives, lack of resources, and insufficient IT infrastructure can slow down the interoperability adoption process. Other factors that drive information blocking include:

– Financial interests: Healthcare providers may perceive the exchange of information as a threat to their profits, as information blocking may shield their proprietary data from competitors.
– Legal compliance concerns: Most healthcare providers are wary of sharing EHI due to scare of breaching the privacy law and incurring legal liabilities.
– Technological limitations: Information blocking may arise from the challenge of integrating different electronic health record (EHR) systems, leading to data discrepancies.
– Data management concerns: Some providers may be reluctant to share excessive information or patient data without proper consent.

What Are the Consequences of Information Blocking?

Information blocking has devastating consequences that affect not only the patients but also healthcare providers. The critical risks associated with information blocking include:

– Delayed or incorrect diagnosis: Information blocks slow down the clinical decision-making process, leading to delayed or incorrect diagnoses.
– Increased medical costs: Information blocking increases medical costs, as patients (or insurers) bear the expense of repeated, redundant, or unnecessary tests and procedures without the necessary clinical context.
– Reduced patient safety: Blocking vital information needed for making clinical decisions leads to increased risk of medical errors, jeopardizing patient safety.
– Violation of regulation: Providers who engage in information blocking may violate federal regulations, leading to hefty fines and legal consequences.

How to Fight Against Information Blocking?

To combat this harmful practice, the ONC has outlined seven exceptions where healthcare providers are legally allowed to block information sharing. Additionally, healthcare providers are mandated by Title VIII of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to share health information for COVID-19 purposes. However, more decisive measures, such as audits, enforcement actions, public reporting, and financial penalties, are necessary to hold violators accountable for information blocking.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers are legally obliged to share EHI to improve patient care and clinical outcomes. However, information blocking, driven by financial interests, legal compliance, technological limitations, or data management concerns, violates interoperability regulations and significantly impedes care delivery. To effectively fight against information blocking, stakeholders and policymakers must take swift and decisive action against erring healthcare providers. When these measures are enforced, providers will be more confident in their data-sharing abilities, leading to better care coordination and improved patient outcomes.