ONC cites security, incentive woes among 5 biggest interoperability roadblocks

ONC cites security, incentive woes among 5 biggest interoperability roadblocks

True health information exchange won’t happen until a majority of providers have installed and are successfully capable using EHRs, report says.

Substantial interoperability has yet to be achieved across healthcare, a recent report to Congress from the Office of the National Coordinator’s Health IT Policy Committee shows, held up by reasons including lack of standardization and security concerns.

Here are the five major roadblocks to more widespread data sharing, according to the ONC:

1. Lack of universal standards-based EHR systems’ adoption. True health information exchange won’t happen until a critical majority of providers have installed and are successfully capable using EHRs. Incentive programs have increased adoption nationwide; policymakers must continue to help the remaining providers make the transition.

2. Impact on providers’ day-to-day workflow. Technology has reached the capability of making interoperability possible, but process innovation has yet to catch up. Existing processes must be redesigned to incorporate new technologies – a more prominent problem in the healthcare arena, mostly due to a lack of standardization.

3. Complex privacy and security challenges associated with widespread HIE. Adequate privacy and security is at the forefront of healthcare institutions. The ONC has found HIPAA misunderstandings and privacy law translations detrimental to security, while electronic system design and accommodation rules for privacy laws have been formidable.

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