Introduction

In an era when information has become a lifeline for patient care, the concept of information blocking in healthcare may seem counterintuitive. Healthcare organizations and Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendors are expected to prioritize the seamless exchange of patient information to ensure the best possible care. However, the unfortunate reality is that information blocking has been a persistent issue, with both providers and vendors implicated in these practices. Let’s review the complex motivations that drive these actions.

The HITECH Act and Unintended Consequences

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 was a watershed moment for healthcare technology. It provided incentives for healthcare providers to adopt EHRs and promote interoperability. However, with these well-intentioned incentives came unintended consequences.

Conclusion

Information blocking in healthcare is a multifaceted issue driven by a complex interplay of motivations. Financial incentives, competitive pressures, data control concerns, and profit motives have all contributed to the persistence of these practices. To combat information blocking effectively, a comprehensive approach is needed—one that includes robust regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and a commitment to prioritizing patient care above all else. As healthcare continues to evolve, addressing information blocking will be vital to ensuring that patient data flows seamlessly, enabling healthcare providers to deliver the best care possible.

Smartlink Health solves the challenge of information blocking with its unique and innovative approach to EHR integration. Smartlink’s integration platform bypasses technical and other vendor-based hurdles by integrating with EHRs via the user interface. To learn more about extracting and inserting virtually any data from any type of EHR system in any operating environment without the need to involve the EHR vendor, visit www.smartlinkhealth.com.