Overcoming health information blocking.

• Position: EHRs - Brief article

The ability to share medical records electronically is a critical element in creating an effective healthcare system. So, why isn't it happening? According to a recent New York Times article, too often it's because that transfer is being blocked by the developers of the technology or "greedy medical centers that refuse to send records to rival providers."

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) recently presented a report to the U.S. Congress about the issue and provided criteria for identifying it and distinguishing it from other barriers to inoperability. ONC stated that it's difficult to assess the full extent of the problem, especially because of contractual restrictions imposed by software developers on their clients.

According to the report, ONC is already taking steps to target, deter, and remedy information blocking, including strengthening in-the-field surveillance of health IT certified by ONC. Many of the requirements for...