The Vital Role of Health Data Organizations (HIOs) in advancing Nationwide Health Data Exchange
For years, the promise of seamless health information exchange has been a cornerstone of healthcare innovation. But turning that promise into reality requires more than just technology – it demands a robust ecosystem of organizations dedicated to connecting providers, payers, public health agencies, and, most importantly, patients. Health Information organizations (HIOs) are proving to be central to this effort, and recent data underscores their growing importance, alongside ongoing challenges and crucial policy advancements.
As someone who’s spent years navigating the complexities of health IT interoperability, I’ve seen firsthand how HIOs are evolving from regional connectors to key players in a national network. this article dives into the latest findings on their contributions,the hurdles they face,and what’s being done to accelerate progress.
hios: A powerful Engine for Data Sharing & Public Health
HIOs are organizations that facilitate the exchange of health information across different healthcare entities.They act as trusted intermediaries, ensuring data flows securely and efficiently. Recent surveys reveal just how impactful they are becoming.
Here’s a snapshot of their current contributions:
Expanding Data Accessibility: A important number of HIOs nationwide are making laboratory results available to participating organizations, creating a more complete picture of patient health.
COVID-19 Response: During the pandemic, HIOs stepped up in a big way. Over half connected to Public Health Agencies (PHAs) proactively provided data to address critical information gaps, and roughly two-thirds offered data analytic services to support the public health response. This demonstrated their agility and value in times of crisis.
Diverse Capabilities: HIOs aren’t just conduits for data; they offer a range of functionalities, including data aggregation, analytics, and secure messaging. This versatility makes them valuable partners for a wide variety of healthcare stakeholders.
Addressing the Persistent Challenge of Information Blocking
While progress is being made, the path to seamless interoperability isn’t without obstacles. One significant challenge is information blocking – practices by healthcare providers, health IT developers, or health information exchanges that intentionally prevent the exchange of health information.
The good news? HIOs reported a decrease in potential information blocking practices by health systems and Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendors in 2023 compared to previous years. This suggests that increased awareness and regulatory pressure are having a positive effect.
Though, the problem isn’t solved. Here’s what the data reveals:
30% of HIOs routinely observe EHR developers engaging in potential information blocking. This is a concerning statistic, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
61% of HIOs report that developer information blocking creates difficulty providing services. This directly impacts their ability to effectively connect healthcare entities.
45% report that information blocking by health systems results in missing data. Incomplete data compromises patient care and hinders public health efforts.Policy Advancements Driving Interoperability
Recognizing the critical role of HIOs and the need to overcome these challenges, the government is actively pursuing policies to promote interoperability.Key initiatives include:
The HTI-2 Proposed Rule: Building on the success of the 21st Century Cures Act and the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), the HTI-2 proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aims to further improve patient engagement, information sharing, and public health interoperability. You can learn more about it here.
ASTP’s Ongoing Monitoring: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information technology (ONC) through its Advancing Seamless and Trustworthy Exchange (ASTP) initiative is actively monitoring potential information blocking practices and working with the health IT ecosystem to foster an surroundings of open information sharing. More information can be found here.
* Recent Insights on Information Blocking: ONC recently published a report offering insights into information blocking practices, based on national surveys and claims received.
