“AS HITECH funding wanes and health information technology innovations flourish, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Micky Tripathi’s keynote from the SHIEC 2021 Conference highlighted the groundbreaking work being done in the health information technology (health IT) space.”
“The keynote highlighted the nexus of technology, business, and policy and the role of health IT in pandemic and public health responses. Tripathi identified opportunities for health IT, states, and federal government to meet current information gaps including addressing health equity and the fragmented public health system.”
Information Sharing, Not Information Blocking
“When discussing the 21st Century Cures Act, Tripathi revealed that he has a rule of saying information sharing instead of information blocking to focus on the opportunities the rule can bring. Information blocking is defined as a practice by a health IT developer of certified products, health information network (HIN) or exchange (HIE), or provider that prevents or materially discourages the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information.”
“Tripathi noted that the negative framing around information sharing assumes that every actor is a presumed information blocker until proven innocent. However, information blocking has been a priority in the industry, and the Office of National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) is seeking to fill in gaps in enforcement of information sharing in collaboration with the Office of Inspector General (OIG).”
“He emphasized that education is a key part of achieving interoperability and preventing information blocking. Any rulemaking must also be accompanied by materials and outreach that improves general understanding of the issues. To assist stakeholders in understanding information blocking ONC has development education materials and FAQs to address topics such as, what is electronic health information (EHI), the practical ways of making EHI available, and the process, technology, and policy questions for the entities and providers involved…” Read the full article here.
Source: Key Takeaways from Micky Tripathi’s SHIEC 2021 Keynote – By Eliana Donner-Klein, August 18, 2021. Audacious Inquiry.
