How to Create a Health Information Blocking Compliance Analyzer for Providers

 

A four-panel instructional infographic titled 'How to Create a Health Information Blocking Compliance Analyzer for Providers.' Panel 1: A woman reading a document labeled 'Health Information Blocking,' with a caption 'Learn ONC's definitions and exceptions.' Panel 2: A man pointing at a list including Policy Review, Mapping, Exceptions, and Alerts, with a caption 'Plan for policy review, alerts, and more.' Panel 3: A man coding on a laptop, gears and interface icons displayed, with a caption 'Build rules engine and user interface.' Panel 4: A woman analyzing a graph on a computer screen, with a caption 'Perform audits and update for changes.'"

How to Create a Health Information Blocking Compliance Analyzer for Providers

Health information blocking regulations have become a central focus for healthcare providers in the United States, especially since the 21st Century Cures Act went into effect.

To stay compliant, many organizations are turning to specialized compliance analyzers to assess their internal processes and policies.

In this post, we'll walk through how to create a Health Information Blocking Compliance Analyzer specifically tailored for providers.

Table of Contents

Understanding Health Information Blocking

Health Information Blocking refers to practices that interfere with, prevent, or materially discourage access to electronic health information (EHI).

According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), these practices are prohibited unless they meet one of the eight specific exceptions.

Understanding these rules is the first step in designing an effective compliance analyzer.

Key Features Your Analyzer Should Include

When building a compliance analyzer, ensure it includes the following features:

  • Policy Documentation Review: Verify that the provider's policies align with ONC regulations.

  • Workflow Mapping: Identify potential blocking within clinical and administrative workflows.

  • Exception Management: Flag legitimate exceptions to information sharing.

  • Automated Alerts: Notify compliance teams of potential violations in real-time.

  • Reporting Capabilities: Generate reports for internal audits and regulatory submissions.

Technical Steps to Build the Analyzer

Developing a Health Information Blocking Compliance Analyzer involves several technical steps:

1. Requirements Gathering

Work with legal, compliance, and IT teams to gather detailed requirements based on ONC regulations.

2. Data Collection Systems

Integrate with EHR systems, access logs, and data-sharing platforms to monitor information exchange activities.

3. Rules Engine Development

Build a rules engine that matches ONC's definitions and exceptions, automating the detection of potential violations.

4. User Interface Design

Create a dashboard that presents potential issues clearly and allows compliance officers to investigate further.

5. Testing and Validation

Test the analyzer extensively in simulated environments to ensure accuracy and reliability before deployment.

Ensuring Ongoing Compliance Monitoring

Compliance is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing monitoring and adaptation.

To keep your analyzer effective:

  • Update it regularly based on changes in ONC guidance and enforcement priorities.

  • Conduct quarterly audits using the analyzer to detect emerging risks early.

  • Provide regular training for clinical and administrative staff to reduce unintentional blocking behaviors.

Resources for Further Guidance

If you're serious about building a compliant and effective analyzer, these resources are invaluable:

By using these resources and building a strong internal analyzer, providers can confidently navigate the complex landscape of health information sharing without fear of non-compliance penalties.

Stay proactive, stay compliant!


Important Keywords: health information blocking, ONC compliance, healthcare providers, information sharing, EHR monitoring