A couple of-third of well being data alternate organizations (HIEs/HIOs) reported that laboratories have restricted or refused to supply entry, alternate, or use of digital well being data (EHI), in keeping with a 2023 nationwide survey.
A latest information temporary from the HHS Assistant Secretary for Expertise Coverage (ASTP) highlighted findings from the survey, however stopped wanting characterizing the impediments as “data blocking” beneath the twenty first Century Cures Act with out additional investigation.
Amongst HIOs that skilled impediments in entry to information by laboratories, about 1 in 5 indicated that they have been by no means in a position to overcome these difficulties to entry lab information, the information temporary stated.
Practically 4 in 5 HIOs that skilled a problem with entry to information reported that they have been in a position to overcome difficulties as a result of lab impediments “to a small extent” (22%) or “considerably” (57%).
Notably, no HIOs reported that they’d been in a position to “absolutely” overcome these difficulties to entry information from laboratories and solely 4% reported with the ability to overcome these difficulties “to an amazing extent.”
Most HIOs reported that labs justified limiting or refusing to supply digital well being data as a result of they don’t derive worth as a knowledge contributor solely.
Many labs additionally stated that they aren’t obligated to interact in further reporting after sharing outcomes with the ordering supplier, and a few talked about considerations about complicated consent processes requiring a number of disclosure types.
No HIO reported that labs sought to restrict or refuse to supply entry to information as a result of their considerations with HIOs’ skill to carry out affected person matching, and solely 4% of HIOs reported that labs expressed considerations with producing duplicate information.
Over half of HIOs that reported impediments in entry to information by labs cited two or extra causes labs used as a foundation for limiting or refusing to supply EHI.
As the information temporary makes clear, guaranteeing interoperability of laboratory information is a fancy matter. Over 14 billion laboratory take a look at outcomes are ordered yearly, and the move of knowledge cuts throughout many alternative entities and programs, and a number of other well being companies are concerned with its oversight.
ASTP famous that these survey outcomes could not essentially mirror acts of data blocking by laboratories beneath the twenty first Century Cures Act, which typically prohibited data blocking. The legislation applies to healthcare suppliers (of which laboratories are included), well being IT builders of licensed well being IT, and well being data exchanges and networks (HIEs/HINs).
Nevertheless, ASTP added that impediments in entry to information by business laboratories are particularly problematic as a result of business laboratories are accountable for processing a really excessive quantity of take a look at outcomes nationally, and thus their restricted participation could enormously affect the completeness of HIOs’ laboratory information.
In a 2023 interview with Healthcare Innovation, well being data group Well being Gorilla’s chief medical officer, Steven Lane, M.D., M.P.H., careworn that labs have been very gradual to come back on board, despite the fact that they’re an actor beneath the data blocking prohibitions. “It is somewhat campaign of mine to attempt to assist the labs perceive that they should come on board. All of the labs are federally required to share information at this time, immediately, with out particular effort within the kind and format that is been requested they usually’re simply not doing it. If I have to get all of David’s labs from each lab that has seen him within the final 10 years as a result of I need to see his longitudinal lab report, that is not doable as a result of persons are actually breaking the legislation.”
