Information-blocking trends following regulatory action.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence of and trends in practices that interfere with the exchange of patient health information (potential information blocking) 2 years after implementation of information-blocking regulations.

Materials and methods: Drawing from the American Hospital Association Information Technology (IT) Supplement and a national survey of health information organizations (HIOs), we described rates and methods of potential information blocking from these organizations' perspectives in 2023 and compared them to prior years.

Results: Twenty-seven percent of hospitals sometimes or often observed potential information blocking by any actor in 2023, down from 42% in 2021 and 33% in 2022. Thirty percent of HIOs routinely observed potential information blocking by health IT developers, down from 50% in 2015. 13% of HIOs routinely observed potential information blocking by hospitals and health systems, down from 25% in 2015. According to both hospitals and HIOs, the most prevalent method of potential information blocking by developers in 2023 was through price, while the most prevalent by healthcare providers/health systems was by focusing exchange on strategic affiliations. Few hospitals and HIOs that experienced potential information blocking said that they had reported it to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Discussion: Hospitals and HIOs perceived lower rates of potential information blocking in 2023 than in prior years indicating some impact of regulations addressing information blocking. However, both respondent types reported that substantial potential information blocking persisted in 2023 and negatively impacted the exchange of information.

Conclusion: While potential information-blocking practices have decreased, they have not been eliminated, indicating the value of continued and robust enforcement of information-blocking regulations.