Barbara L Massoudi1, Laura H Marcial1, Elizabeth Tant2, Julia Adler-Milstein3, Suzanne L West2. 1. Center for the Advancement of Health Information Technology, RTI International, United States. 2. Health Care Quality Program, RTI International, United States. 3. School of Information and School of Public Health, University of Michigan, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A key motivation for the large national investment in electronic health record systems is to promote electronic reporting of quality measures that can be used as the basis for moving to value-based payment. Given the fragmented delivery system, robust quality reporting requires aggregating data across sites of care. Health information exchanges (HIEs) have emerged to facilitate exchange of clinical data across provider organizations and, therefore, should be well-positioned to support clinical quality measure reporting. METHODS: By interviewing representatives from 36 HIEs across the United States, we aimed to determine whether HIEs are capable of computing National Quality Forum measures for 6 cardiovascular disease preventive services. RESULTS: Eleven HIEs (30%) reported computing at least one CQM; six computed one or more of the measures, and no HIE computed a measure in each of the 6 areas. Barriers to computing CQMs included data quality, completeness, sharing, and transmission issues; organizational structure, maturity, and sustainability issues; and vendor issues. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to compute CQMs at the HIE level is still yet to be developed; currently, very few HIEs are able to do so for a variety of reasons. As HIE services expand and HIEs mature organizationally, the viability and utility of CQM reporting at the HIE level will increase. IMPLICATIONS: As the healthcare system migrates towards a value-based payment system these broad challenges will need to be addressed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cross-sectional semi-structured qualitative interviews.
BACKGROUND: A key motivation for the large national investment in electronic health record systems is to promote electronic reporting of quality measures that can be used as the basis for moving to value-based payment. Given the fragmented delivery system, robust quality reporting requires aggregating data across sites of care. Health information exchanges (HIEs) have emerged to facilitate exchange of clinical data across provider organizations and, therefore, should be well-positioned to support clinical quality measure reporting. METHODS: By interviewing representatives from 36 HIEs across the United States, we aimed to determine whether HIEs are capable of computing National Quality Forum measures for 6 cardiovascular disease preventive services. RESULTS: Eleven HIEs (30%) reported computing at least one CQM; six computed one or more of the measures, and no HIE computed a measure in each of the 6 areas. Barriers to computing CQMs included data quality, completeness, sharing, and transmission issues; organizational structure, maturity, and sustainability issues; and vendor issues. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to compute CQMs at the HIE level is still yet to be developed; currently, very few HIEs are able to do so for a variety of reasons. As HIE services expand and HIEs mature organizationally, the viability and utility of CQM reporting at the HIE level will increase. IMPLICATIONS: As the healthcare system migrates towards a value-based payment system these broad challenges will need to be addressed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cross-sectional semi-structured qualitative interviews.
Authors: Lauren K Whiteside; Marie C Vrablik; Joan Russo; Eileen M Bulger; Deepika Nehra; Kathleen Moloney; Douglas F Zatzick Journal: Trauma Surg Acute Care Open Date: 2021-01-28