Diagnostic Imaging Interoperability RFI Shines a Spotlight on the Lack of Patient-Centered Longitudinal Health Records
Publish Date: 2026-02-27 13:15:00
Source Domain: www.ebglaw.com
- The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to seek public input on the potential adoption of diagnostic imaging interoperability standards and certification criteria.
- The RFI comes after the release of the HTI-5 Proposed Rule and the Draft U.S. Core Data for Interoperability Version 7 (USCDI v7) for public comment.
- The RFI reflects an attempt to address persistent challenges in the exchange and accessibility of diagnostic imaging data (e.g., reliance on portable media, limited API support, inconsistent metadata tagging).
- There is a policy risk if imaging interoperability is pursued primarily through additional certification criteria without alignment with broader interoperability frameworks.
- The HTI-5 Proposed Rule contemplates a fundamental recalibration of the ONC certification regime by streamlining certification, revising information blocking definitions, and advancing a foundation for APIs that support flexible interoperability.
- The USCDI establishes a policy-driven subset of data elements that certified health IT must be able to exchange and make accessible to support longitudinal health records.
- Stakeholders can submit feedback on the imaging interoperability RFI by March 16, 2026, to influence future standards and ensure alignment with patient-centered, longitudinal health records.
- Nations that have invested in developing longitudinal, computable health data infrastructure have strengthened their positions in biomedical research and life sciences investment.
- The RFI represents an opportunity for stakeholders to help shape current federal policy in alignment with the original ONC vision of rich, longitudinal, and patient-centered electronic health records.
- Stakeholders should submit comments to the RFI, assess their imaging data readiness, and engage technology and compliance teams to prepare for potential new standards.
