## Hospitals Level Up: Admin Wants to Know What Tech Can Heal the Healthcare System
Forget loot boxes and power-ups, the real battle in healthcare is being fought in the boardroom. The American Hospital Association (AHA) just dropped a game-changing “Request for Information” (RFI) on health technology, and it’s sending ripples through the industry.
Think of this RFI as a quest for the ultimate health tech arsenal. The AHA wants to know what’s hot, what’s cutting-edge, and what technologies can help hospitals level up their patient care, streamline operations, and maybe even conquer the dreaded “burden of administrative complexity.”
OCR’s Online Tracking Rule: A Cause for Concern
A Threat to Public Health Information Dissemination
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a controversial rule in December 2022 regarding the use of “online tracking technologies.” This rule, which applies to covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), has drawn significant criticism from healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups. The rule essentially restricts the use of third-party analytics tools like Google Analytics, YouTube, and others, which hospitals and health systems rely on to collect data on website traffic and user behavior.
This restriction raises serious concerns about the ability of hospitals to effectively disseminate public health information and provide essential patient services. For instance, hospitals may no longer be able to track website usage patterns to identify areas where patients need more information or support. They may also be unable to use analytics tools to personalize health content or tailor outreach efforts to specific populations. The lack of data transparency could hinder hospitals’ ability to understand patient needs and respond effectively to public health crises.
Potential Harm to Patient Care
The OCR rule’s impact extends beyond public health information dissemination. Hospitals rely on online tracking technologies to improve patient care in various ways:
- Patient Engagement Tools: Many hospitals use online platforms and apps to engage patients in their care. Analytics data helps them understand how patients are using these tools, identify areas for improvement, and personalize the patient experience.
- Research and Development: Patient data collected through online platforms can be anonymized and used for research purposes, leading to advancements in medical treatments and public health initiatives.
- Operational Efficiency: Tracking website traffic and user behavior helps hospitals optimize their online presence, improve website navigation, and streamline administrative processes.
- Consistency and Clarity: A single, nationwide standard would eliminate the confusion and complexity arising from a patchwork of conflicting regulations.
- Reduced Administrative Burden: Hospitals would no longer need to comply with multiple sets of privacy rules, saving time and resources.
- Enhanced Patient Privacy: By establishing a strong national standard, HIPAA preemption would ensure a consistent level of protection for patient health information across the country.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS plays a crucial role in shaping healthcare policy and setting payment models that incentivize the adoption of innovative technologies.
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC): ONC leads efforts to promote health information exchange and interoperability, enabling seamless sharing of patient data across different systems.
- Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers are on the front lines of implementing and using health technology to improve patient care.
- Technology Developers: Tech companies are driving innovation in health technology, developing new tools and platforms to address healthcare challenges.
- Patients: Patients are the ultimate beneficiaries of health technology advancements and their input is crucial for ensuring that technologies are user-friendly, accessible, and meet their needs.
- Fitness trackers and apps: Many fitness trackers and apps use gamification to encourage users to meet their exercise goals.
- Chronic disease management programs: Gamification can help patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension to manage their symptoms, adhere to medication regimens, and make lifestyle changes.
- Patient education platforms: Interactive games and simulations can be used to educate patients about their health conditions and treatment options.
By restricting access to this data, the OCR rule could impede hospitals’ ability to provide efficient, effective, and patient-centered care.
Call for Congressional Action
Promoting HIPAA Preemption
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has called on Congress to address the OCR rule and promote HIPAA preemption. The AHA argues that HIPAA, enacted in 1996, provides a comprehensive and effective framework for protecting patient privacy. Furthermore, HIPAA’s requirements have become deeply embedded in healthcare practices and regulations. Any significant revisions to HIPAA could create more complications than benefits for hospitals, patients, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Benefits of Preemption
The AHA advocates for full federal preemption of HIPAA, meaning that HIPAA would supersede any conflicting state or federal privacy laws. This would create a unified national standard for protecting patient health information and reduce the regulatory burden on hospitals.
Full HIPAA preemption would offer several advantages:
The Future of Health Technology: A Collaborative Approach
Bridging the Gap
The rapid advancements in health technology present both opportunities and challenges. To fully realize the potential of these innovations, a collaborative approach involving key stakeholders is essential. This includes:
By working together, these stakeholders can create a unified and effective national health technology infrastructure that supports patient-centered care, improves health outcomes, and reduces healthcare costs.
Gamification and Health
Gamification, the application of game-design elements to non-game contexts, has emerged as a promising approach to promote health management and care navigation. By incorporating game-like features such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, gamification can motivate individuals to engage in healthy behaviors and track their progress.
Examples of gamification in healthcare include:
Conclusion
So, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is raising its digital shield against potential administrative burdens from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The RFI on health technology is sparking debate, with the AHA highlighting the need for careful consideration of the potential impact on hospitals already grappling with complex workflows and evolving regulations. While ONC aims for interoperability and data sharing, the AHA rightly emphasizes the importance of balancing these goals with the realities of healthcare delivery.
This isn’t just a bureaucratic squabble; it’s a battle for the future of patient care. If the ONC’s initiatives create unnecessary administrative hurdles, hospitals will be forced to divert resources away from patient-facing services. This could lead to delayed treatments, increased costs, and ultimately, a less efficient and effective healthcare system. The AHA’s call for collaboration and a nuanced approach is crucial. We need a system that fosters innovation and data sharing without suffocating providers.
The coming months will be pivotal. Will ONC listen to the concerns of the AHA and work towards a solution that truly benefits both patients and providers? Or will we see a regulatory landscape that stifles progress and undermines the very heart of healthcare – the human connection? The stakes are high, and the outcome will shape the future of healthcare for years to come.
