Multiple-third of well being data change organizations (HIEs/HIOs) reported that laboratories have restricted or refused to offer entry, change, or use of digital well being data (EHI), in response to a 2023 nationwide survey.
A current knowledge temporary from the HHS Assistant Secretary for Know-how Coverage (ASTP) highlighted findings from the survey, however stopped wanting characterizing the impediments as “data blocking” underneath the twenty first Century Cures Act with out additional investigation.
Amongst HIOs that skilled impediments in entry to knowledge by laboratories, about 1 in 5 indicated that they have been by no means in a position to overcome these difficulties to entry lab knowledge, the information temporary mentioned.
Almost 4 in 5 HIOs that skilled a difficulty with entry to knowledge 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 that they had been in a position to “absolutely” overcome these difficulties to entry knowledge from laboratories and solely 4% reported with the ability to overcome these difficulties “to a terrific extent.”
Most HIOs reported that labs justified limiting or refusing to offer digital well being data as a result of they don’t derive worth as an information contributor solely.
Many labs additionally mentioned that they aren’t obligated to interact in further reporting after sharing outcomes with the ordering supplier, and a few talked about considerations about advanced consent processes requiring a number of disclosure types.
No HIO reported that labs sought to restrict or refuse to offer entry to knowledge as a result of their considerations with HIOs’ capability to carry out affected person matching, and solely 4% of HIOs reported that labs expressed considerations with producing duplicate knowledge.
Over half of HIOs that reported impediments in entry to knowledge by labs cited two or extra causes labs used as a foundation for limiting or refusing to offer EHI.
As the information temporary makes clear, making certain interoperability of laboratory knowledge is a fancy matter. Over 14 billion laboratory take a look at outcomes are ordered yearly, and the stream of information cuts throughout many various entities and methods, and several other well being businesses are concerned with its oversight.
ASTP famous that these survey outcomes could not essentially mirror acts of knowledge blocking by laboratories underneath 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).
Nonetheless, ASTP added that impediments in entry to knowledge by business laboratories are particularly problematic as a result of business laboratories are liable for processing a really excessive quantity of take a look at outcomes nationally, and thus their restricted participation could significantly affect the completeness of HIOs’ laboratory knowledge.
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., burdened that labs have been very sluggish to return on board, despite the fact that they’re an actor underneath the knowledge 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 knowledge right now, at once, 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 wish to see his longitudinal lab file, that is not doable as a result of individuals are actually breaking the legislation.”
