Source: Radiology Business
HHS has proposed a rule aimed at improving patients’ access to medical images and curbing the use of physical media in radiology. X-rays, CT scans and MRIs are often stored in platforms external to electronic health records, such as picture archiving and communication systems. But this has made the electronic exchange of images more difficult, forcing patients to obtain their results via flash drives or CDs. HHS, however, is proposing to update regulations related to certification of EHR systems and info blocking, the American College of Radiology reported Thursday. Its goal is to start having certified EHRs include links to medical images beginning Jan. 1, 2028. “We believe the prevalence of CD-ROMs and other physical media to share diagnostic quality images across healthcare settings indicates a lack of interoperability and access to imaging results that represents a continued burden for patients and clinicians,” the HHS Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy said in the rule, which is slated to be published in the Federal Register Aug. 5. “ASTP/ONC believes that promoting access to and the exchange of images via program requirements may encourage more widespread adoption and integration of these already existing pathways and reduce burdens caused by physical media exchange,” the agency added later.