Need Assistance?
Would you like more assistance regarding Health IT Enabled QI strategies or support in using any of the included resource sets?

  Request Support

 

The Quadruple Aim
Quadruple Aim

A Conceptual Framework

Improving the U.S. health care system requires four aims: improving the experience of care, improving the health of populations, reducing per capita costs and improving care team well-being. HITEQ Center resources seek to provide content and direction aligned with the goals of the Quadruple Aim

Learn More >

Accessing Data for QI

As adoption of EHRs has increased, so have the concerns about ability to access the data needed to drill down into quality improvement efforts or even reporting requirements. Depending on the type of system being used, data may be cloud based, on a remote server, or on a local server. Further, data may be accessible through preprogrammed, ad hoc, or custom reports, but there may be greater challenges to accessing raw data or data that can be analyzed for quality improvement purposes. Resources in this section address these challenges and provide actionable information for accessing the data needed.

Accessing your Data
Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule: A Collection of Case Studies
Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule: A Collection of Case Studies

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule: A Collection of Case Studies

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s (ONC) 21st Century Cures Act Information Blocking Rule (Info Blocking Rule) prohibits covered actors – including health care providers, health IT developers of certified health IT, and health information exchanges/health information networks– from engaging in practices likely to interfere with, prevent, or materially discourage access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI). The Info Blocking Rule includes eight exceptions that provide actors with certainty that, when their practice interferes with the access, exchange, or use of EHI and meets the conditions of one or more exception, such practice will not be considered information blocking. An actor’s practice that does not meet all the conditions of an exception will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether information blocking has occurred.

FAQ: How will the upcoming changes to the Information Blocking and EHR certification requirements impact health centers?
FAQ:  How will the upcoming changes to the Information Blocking and EHR certification requirements impact health centers?

FAQ: How will the upcoming changes to the Information Blocking and EHR certification requirements impact health centers?

During the 4th quarter (October to December) of 2022, there are two major health information technology (HIT) requirement changes, with potential for significant implications to health centers. Read this FAQ to find out how your health center can respond.

 

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule
Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule

Since the 21 Century Cures Act Information Blocking Rule went into effect in 2021, electronic health information (EHI) has become more available than ever as it is posted to portals, sent through health information exchanges, and available via health-related apps upon request by patients. As the availability of EHI has increased, so too have concerns about the privacy of EHI. Like other actors, health centers are faced with new compliance challenges, including how to best protect sensitive EHI, how to respond to patient requests to restrict access to their EHI, and how to respond when patients request changes to their EHI. Health centers must navigate complex and, at times, conflicting federal and state laws and regulations. This webinar focused on how to navigate these challenges while complying with the Information Blocking Rule.

Patient Portals & Right of Access: Compliance with the Information Blocking rule and HIPAA
Patient Portals & Right of Access: Compliance with the Information Blocking rule and HIPAA

Patient Portals & Right of Access: Compliance with the Information Blocking rule and HIPAA

There are many questions about patient portals and the related requirements under the Information Blocking Rule. In this session, our expert speaker will review the impact of the Information Blocking Rule on implementation and use of the patient portal.

Over the last few years, the Office of Civil Rights has focused much of its enforcement efforts on ensuring patients are afforded their HIPAA right to access their protected health information (PHI). The Privacy Rule generally requires HIPAA covered entities to provide individuals, upon request, with access to the PHI (including electronic PHI) about them in one or more “designated record sets” maintained by or for the covered entity. This includes the right to inspect or obtain a copy, or both, of the PHI. It also includes an individual’s right to direct the covered entity to transmit a copy of their PHI to a designated person or entity of the individual’s choice.

HITEQ Highlights: Health Centers as Actors (in Information Blocking)!
HITEQ Highlights: Health Centers as Actors (in Information Blocking)!

HITEQ Highlights: Health Centers as Actors (in Information Blocking)!

Join the HITEQ Center to discuss approaches to balance patient confidentiality, sensitive situations, vulnerable populations, and meeting the provisions in CURES act and information blocking. How should health centers best prepare themselves and their staff to meet the information blocking provisions and better serve our patient population?

Acknowledgements

This resource collection was compiled by the HITEQ Center staff with guidance from HITEQ Advisory Committee members and collaborators of the HITEQ Center.