Breathe new life into health information. The 21st Century Cures Act is unlocking the power of data

Andrew A. By Brooks, MD, Chief Medical Officer, TigerConnect.

Information is at the heart of the healthcare industry, from paper to digital record keeping. Healthcare organizations and physicians have relied on charts, treatment plans, and other means of recordkeeping to ensure the highest quality of care they can offer. at 21^St In the 20th century, providers need unrestricted access to comprehensive data to streamline recordkeeping, reduce costs and better collaborate as treatment teams advance patient care. This access to vital information becomes even more important as digital health information grows as EHR integration increases.

According to current estimates, almost 30 percent of the world’s data is generated in the healthcare sector; with no signs of slowing, this figure is expected to reach 36 percent by 2025. According to a 2019 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) survey, nearly 90 percent of office-based physicians responded that they use EHR systems in their office practices. Access to information is only one part of the healthcare equation. Data availability and interoperability is another.

When there are information roadblocks, it can create unnecessary challenges for hospitals and treatment groups to do their jobs. These treatment and care challenges can lead to poor clinical communication and collaboration, reducing the quality of patient care and increasing costs. In an industry like healthcare, smooth communication is critical between both providers and patients as they try to navigate doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other care facilities. Unfortunately, interoperability and access to information are not easy.

Information blocking and its impact on patient care

Information blocking often refers to the access, use, or sharing of electronic health information. In most cases, blocking of information is due to the use of proprietary technology systems that cannot interact or communicate with each other. When information blocking occurs, patient data necessary for care may be sent or received in a timely manner or may be transmitted inaccurately. The fact is that most electronic data is still locked in silos of different providers. According to a study reported by the AJMC, nearly 75 percent of physicians feel they do not have enough information about their patients. The demand for seamless access to health information is one of the driving forces of the 21st century^St Century Cures Act – which expanded its scope in October.

the 21st^St Century Cures Act & The Power of Data to Improve Patient Care

When healthcare providers have access to data, they can dramatically improve patient care. That’s why many are asking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for more clarity on new federal data-blocking regulations that went into effect in October.

The original is 21:00^St The Century Cures Act made health IT vendors, providers, and healthcare responsible for sharing information to provide patients with better access to health records 3 .^th partisan applications, prohibiting the sharing of health information. But this only applied to limited data. Under the expanded regulations, patients will have unrestricted electronic access to their records. So what do providers and patients need to know, and how can they better comply with these new regulations?

Advanced regulations and challenges

One of the biggest obstacles to implementing these updated rules and regulations is the lack of technical infrastructure to support information sharing. There is little clarity in removing barriers to interoperability of proprietary systems. This requires a technical infrastructure that can break down silos across different systems and share electronic records in a way that ensures compliance and confidentiality. Unfortunately, the industry is still working to bring these systems together in a meaningful way.

In addition, the industry is seeking clarification on what does or does not constitute a violation of the information sharing rules. There is also very little understanding of what types of information are and are not allowed to be blocked, and whether there are exceptions to the rule.

Meanwhile, there are many unanswered questions regarding the recently updated 21^St Century Cures Act, it also creates new opportunities for patients and providers. Due to the growing volume of unstructured and structured electronic health information, unrestricted access to this data is useful and essential for seamless clinical communication and collaboration. The next step is to understand the full impact of these expanded regulations, create an integrated strategy for electronic information sharing, and prepare for future regulations.

Work in the healthcare sector