For many years, medical practices relied on workflows that were familiar but inefficient. Imaging studies were stored on local servers. Patients were asked to pick up CDs. Referring providers waited days or weeks for access to prior exams. Requests were handled manually, often competing with already strained administrative staff.

While these processes were common, they created persistent challenges:

• Delays in patient care
• Fragmented access to medical records
• Frustration for patients and referring providers
• Increased operational burden for practices

As healthcare became more digital, these delays were no longer just inconvenient. They became barriers to care. The 21st Century Cures Act was designed to address this exact problem by requiring faster, more transparent electronic access to health information.

Why the 21st Century Cures Act Was Created

The 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law in 2016, was intended to modernize healthcare by improving patient access, interoperability, and the electronic exchange of health information.

One of its most impactful components is the Information Blocking Rule, which focuses on ensuring that electronic health information, or EHI, is shared promptly, securely, and without unnecessary obstacles.

In practical terms, if a workflow delays access to electronic records, particularly imaging and reports, it may be considered information blocking.

What Is Information Blocking?

Under the 21st Century Cures Act, information blocking is defined as any practice that interferes with, prevents, or materially discourages the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information.

For medical practices, this can include:

• Requiring CDs instead of electronic access
• Slow turnaround for imaging or reports
• Difficulty retrieving historical studies
• Manual or inconsistent fulfillment of patient requests
• Barriers for referring providers attempting to access imaging

The rule does not require perfection, but it does require reasonable and timely electronic access using modern digital workflows.

The Cures Act Timeline: Key Dates Practices Should Know

Understanding the Cures Act timeline helps explain why compliance matters today.

2016: The 21st Century Cures Act is signed into law.

May 2020: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT publishes the final Information Blocking Rule.

April 5, 2021: Information blocking compliance requirements go into effect with a limited scope of data known as USCDI.

October 6, 2022: The scope expands from USCDI to all electronic health information, including medical imaging and historical studies.

September 1, 2023: The HHS Office of Inspector General begins enforcement and may investigate claims of information blocking. While provider specific monetary penalties are still under development, providers are expected to demonstrate timely electronic access and may face investigation or future participation related consequences.

For the most up to date guidance, practices can reference the official Information Blocking resources available at 21 Centuries Cures Act.

Four Core Pillars Practices Should Focus On

To align with the intent of the 21st Century Cures Act and reduce information blocking risk, practices should focus on four foundational pillars.

1. Fast Electronic Access

Patients and referring providers should be able to access imaging and reports electronically without unnecessary delay.

2. Secure Sharing

Electronic access must be delivered securely and in alignment with HIPAA privacy and security requirements.

3. Auditability

Practices should be able to demonstrate that requests were fulfilled promptly using clear and reliable audit trails.

4. Scalable Infrastructure

Systems should support long term storage, rapid retrieval of historical studies, and growth without increasing operational complexity.

How SARC MedIQ Supports Compliance Ready Imaging Workflows

Modern imaging platforms play a critical role in supporting these pillars. SARC MedIQ is a cloud based imaging management, reporting, and sharing platform designed to help practices reduce workflow friction while supporting compliance focused access.

SARC MedIQ helps practices by:

• Providing fast, secure electronic access to imaging and reports
• Eliminating reliance on CDs, faxing, and manual export workflows
• Enabling secure sharing with patients and referring providers
• Maintaining full audit trails to demonstrate timely access
• Supporting long term, compliant storage and fast retrieval of prior studies
• Reducing staff workload and operational delays that can lead to access complaints

By modernizing imaging infrastructure, practices can improve patient experience, strengthen care coordination, and reduce exposure to information blocking risk.

Moving Forward with Confidence

The 21st Century Cures Act reflects a long term shift toward transparency, interoperability, and patient access. Practices that continue to rely on outdated systems or manual processes may face increasing operational and regulatory pressure as enforcement evolves.

SARC MedIQ helps providers meet the requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act by enabling secure, timely electronic access to imaging and reports. Schedule a demo to learn how SARC MedIQ Cloud PACS System can help modernize your imaging workflows and support compliance ready access.

In the fast-evolving world of healthcare technology, staying up-to-date with the latest innovations is essential. One such innovation that has transformed the way medical imaging is managed and accessed is Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). PACS is a critical component in modern healthcare facilities, enabling the remote retrieval of medical images and associated data. In this blog, we will explore the world of PACS, its types, advantages, and why cloud based PACS is the future. We will also introduce you to SARC MedIQ, a leading name in the field.

What is PACS?

Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is a revolutionary medical imaging technology that combines hardware and software to streamline the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of medical images using the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard. This innovative system has been pivotal in modernizing healthcare facilities and improving patient care.

Advantages of PACS

1. Streamlined Workflow: PACS eliminates the cumbersome manual process of storing and retrieving physical film archives. It streamlines the workflow, enabling healthcare professionals to access images quickly and efficiently.
2. Enhanced Collaboration: PACS facilitates collaboration among healthcare providers. Images can be easily shared and accessed, leading to improved patient care and better professional opportunities.
3. Cost Savings: By digitizing medical image storage, PACS reduces costs associated with film, physical storage, and maintenance of film archives.
4. Faster Diagnoses: Speed is crucial in healthcare. PACS allows specialists to review images remotely, expediting diagnoses and improving overall patient care.
5. Secure Storage: With the transition to digital storage, patient data is more secure. Cloud-based PACS, in particular, offers enhanced security features, protecting against data loss and unauthorized access. Click here to Read Benefits of PACS in detail.

Cloud Based PACS

Cloud Based PACS represents the next evolution of PACS technology. Instead of relying on traditional on-premises servers and infrastructure, cloud-based PACS operates on remote cloud computing services. This paradigm shift offers a host of benefits, transforming how healthcare professionals’ access and manage medical images.

Dicom Cloud Storage

One of the core components of cloud based PACS is Dicom Cloud Storage. This technology provides ample storage capacity, ensuring that healthcare facilities can securely store vast amounts of medical image data. With cloud-based Dicom storage, the need for on-premises hardware and backup systems diminishes, leading to cost savings and improved data security.

Onsite vs. Offsite PACS

The choice between onsite and offsite PACS depends on the specific needs of healthcare facilities. Onsite PACS involves maintaining servers and infrastructure within the facility, offering greater control but potentially higher costs. In contrast, offsite PACS, particularly cloud-based solutions, shift the responsibility of infrastructure maintenance to the service provider, offering cost-effectiveness and accessibility.

Enterprise Medical Imaging Solutions

Enterprise medical imaging solutions encompass a comprehensive approach to managing medical images across large healthcare organizations. PACS plays a pivotal role in these solutions by providing a unified platform for image storage and retrieval. By embracing enterprise medical imaging solutions, healthcare organizations can achieve greater integration between departments and facilities, resulting in improved productivity and patient care.Explore our SARCMEDIQ’s advanced PACS solutions and take the first step toward a seamless, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare experience.

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