HHS’s Information Blocking Disincentives are a Necessary Step Toward Better Patient Care

US healthcare providers who inhibit the access, exchange or use of electronic health information (EHI) will face penalties under new rules from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The rules are intended to eliminate information blocking which it believes harms patient care and inflates costs. Steps to establishing compliance include auditing information sharing, investing in interoperable systems, employee training, clear protocol creation, and staying informed about evolving rules.