The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will be hosting an upcoming webinar to help clinicians comprehend and comply with recently enacted federal interoperability and information blocking rules.
ONC has scheduled the online session for Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. ET, according to an announcement posted Thursday by the American College of Radiology. Presenters will highlight basic requirements and exceptions of the rules but are unlikely to discuss enforcement topics that have yet to be determined by HHS.
The agency will take on questions from a clinician’s perspective, including:
- What constitutes info blocking and how does it affect providers?
- Why is sharing information important?
- What information needs to be shared and with whom?
- Are there exceptions to the rule and when do they apply?
The regulations, part of the 21st Centuries Cures Act, went into effect on April 5 after HHS and ONC previously pushed back the go-live date. ACR has expressed frustrations with the process after fielding many similar questions from members detailing anxieties around changes to radiology report access.
The college last sent an update on the topic in March, noting ONC’s clarifications have only muddied prior guidance on report access under the regulations.
Current practice dictates waiting a specified period of time before releasing imaging results to properly coordinate care, but the new guidance requires providers share reports when they are available. HHS has yet to finalize enforcement rules and penalties for information blocking.
Those interested in attending the webinar can register here. Read more about info-blocking rules on the ACR’s resource page here and on the ONC’s website here.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.