EHR Data 'Blocking' Hobbles HIT, Says ONC

Technology vendors, hospitals, and health systems restrict data access under the guise of security and confidentiality, but it can be challenging to identify and differentiate information-blocking from more benign impediments, says an ONC report.

he federal government's $28 billion investment in health information technology interoperability is undermined by vendors and providers who don't want to share data with perceived competitors, a new study says. In a report requested by Congress, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology said that "information blocking" is a significant problem that is likely to get worse as expectations and the capabilities for HIT mature and improve.

Because of gray areas that include contract restrictions on the disclosure of relevant evidence, and unavoidable technology glitches and snafus, ONC said it can be challenging to identify and differentiate information blocking from more benign impediments. "However, based on the evidence and knowledge available, it is apparent that some healthcare providers and health IT developers are knowingly interfering with the exchange or use of electronic health information in ways that limit its availability and use to improve health and health care," ONC said.