Quick Finds: HIT/Data

Improving Diabetes Outcomes: Curated Expert Guidance, Tools, and Resources (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: According to 2016 UDS data, an estimated 14.3% of Federally Qualified Health Center patients nationwide have diabetes. Of these 2 million plus patients living with diabetes, approximately 32% have uncontrolled diabetes, with HbA1c equal to or above 9% or have had no test in the prior year. These statistics bring forth the need for improvement in the care of diabetes; several resources and research outcomes are profiled here with specific takeaways for health centers. As of CDC's 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report, 30.3 million people, or 9.4% of the total U.S. population, have diabetes. Of these 30.3 million, only 23.1 million are diagnosed - while the other estimated 7.2 million are undiagnosed. Additionally, more than 1 in 3 adults or 84.1 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes. Among adults age 65 and older, nearly half have prediabetes. More Details...

Diabetes Improvement Toolkit (2017). Resource Type: Toolkit. Description: A website that hosts toolkits, guides, and other resources to support data collection, quality, and performance improvement with the use of Health IT tools More Details...

Staff Orientation to the use of Health Information Technology (HIT) to achieve the Triple Aim - Part I: Part 1 of 3: Effectively Using Data to Improve the Patient Experience (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: A custom, health-center focused eLearning module for onboarding and orienting clinical and administrative health center staff to the Triple Aim and their important role in collecting accurate and timely information to support informed decision-making.  The first aim – Patient Experience – is addressed in this module with a focus on the many staff a patient interacts with during a visit who impact the patient’s care.  ** Please note that viewing issues have been identified when using the Internet Explorer 11 browser. The series is best viewed in either Chrome, Firefox, or IE Edge browsers. The series is best viewed in either Chrome, Firefox, or IE Edge browsers. More Details...

Staff Orientation to the use of Health Information Technology (HIT) to achieve the Triple Aim - Part II: Part 2 of 3: Effectively Using Data to Impact Population Health (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: A custom, health-center focused eLearning module for onboarding and orienting clinical and administrative health center staff to the Triple Aim and their important role in collecting accurate and timely information to support informed decision-making.   The second aim – Population Health – is addressed in this module with a focus on the use of data to improve the health of a population or sub-group of patients.  ** Please note that viewing issues have been identified when using the Internet Explorer 11 browser. The series is best viewed in either Chrome, Firefox, or IE Edge browsers.The series is best viewed in either Chrome, Firefox, or IE Edge browsers. More Details...

Staff Orientation to the use of Health Information Technology (HIT) to achieve the Triple Aim - Part III: Part 3 of 3: Effectively Using Data to Increase Healthcare Value (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: A custom, health-center focused eLearning module for onboarding and orienting clinical and administrative health center staff to the Triple Aim and their important role in collecting accurate and timely information to support informed decision-making.  The third aim – Value – is addressed in this module with a focus on using data to achieve the best outcomes for patients while decreasing costs.  ** Please note that viewing issues have been identified when using the Internet Explorer 11 browser. The series is best viewed in either Chrome, Firefox, or IE Edge browsers.The series is best viewed in either Chrome, Firefox, or IE Edge browsers. More Details...

Quality Report Inventory: Organizing your quality team with a schedule and map of quality report distribution (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This Report Inventory tool is a means to make public all available reports, the schedule for publishing to the organization, and their distribution.  A Report Inventory is a means to make public all available reports, the schedule for publishing to the organization, and their distribution. It provides a point of reference for all potential report requestors who are looking for data on any metric. The Report Inventory may also include reference to EHR alerts, mappings, and schedules and any supporting EHR or Population Health Management tools that are available to support improvement of each metric. Making this tool available on a shared drive or company intranet provides a point of reference for analysts to direct report requestors prior to acting on any new report request. The Report Inventory is organized by metric, including the denominator and numerator definitions, exclusions, and references to the metric steward which may be internal to the organization or external (e.g. UDS, NQF, etc.). The Report Inventory should be curated by your data analysts in collaboration with the responsible metric stewards within an organization. Download the Excel tool below to see a full example and additional instructions.  Also, see the companion Data Dictionary tool here. More Details...

EHR Optimization Series: Part Two of Three: Including slides, Workflow tool, and Provider Scorecard (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The second of a three-part EHR Optimization series focused on establishing goals and expectations for optimizing EHR utilization and sharing proven strategy/tools for optimizing EHR utilization, including slides and related tools. The second of a three-part EHR Optimization series focused on establishing goals and expectations for optimizing EHR utilization and sharing proven strategy/tools for optimizing EHR utilization, including slides and related tools.  EHR Optimization Session 2 Slides From the second May 2017 Learning Session Provider Scorecard: Assessing accurate EHR documentation This resource provides a process and method that can be used to evaluate the degree to which an individual provider or care team member consistently documents required information in the appropriate place in the EHR. Blank and Sample completed, filled-in versions are available for download below. EHR Workflow Worksheet: EHR Optimization tool to map the workflow to enhance performance on a particular clinical measure This tool provides a structured way to review how data is captured and input in the EHR for a particular clinical measure across the clinical team including registration, pre-visit planning, nursing, and provider visit. The sample uses the BMI Percentile Children CMS 155 v5 as an example, and a blank version is also provided. Using the workflow tool will help answer questions on which components of the data are entered by whom, and facilitate soliciting feedback from staff on ways to improve efficient and accurate data capture. Blank and Sample completed, filled-in versions are available for download below. Visit the Guide for Improving Care Processes and Outcomes in Health Centers for additional tools and support for workflow assessment and improvement. Download each of these resources below, in the Documents to Download section. More Details...

EHR Optimization Series: Part Three of Three: Including slides, Data Dictionary, and Quality Report Inventory (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The third of a three-part EHR Optimization series focused on establishing goals and expectations for optimizing EHR utilization and sharing proven strategy/tools for optimizing EHR utilization, including slides and related tools.  The third of a three-part EHR Optimization series focused on establishing goals and expectations for optimizing EHR utilization and sharing proven strategy/tools for optimizing EHR utilization, including slides and related tools.  EHR Optimization Session 1 Slides From May 2017 Learning Session; objectives include: Understand the role reporting has in EMR optimization Be able to list at least 3 considerations when developing reports to improve EMR utilization and meet the goals of the intended audience Identify at least 2 HITEQ resources for improving reporting effectiveness in facilitating decision-making Be able to discuss the interplay between reporting and data validation Slides are in the Documents to Download section; Recording is available below in the Links section.  ​Data Dictionary: Organizational tool to catalog your EHR and analytics platform data indicators A Data Dictionary provides a single point of reference for data mapping and interpretation for all of the indicators in your quality reports. Organization of the data definitions in this tool provides a reference for the team of the definitions which impact reports and alerts in the analytics application. That application may be the EHR or an analytics platform that is tied to the EHR. Anyone with questions about where data is being pulled from for any indicator can reference the Data Dictionary without analyst security privileges or expertise within the analytics tools. The Data Dictionary should be curated by analysts and made available on a shared drive or company intranet. Quality Report Inventory: Organizing your quality team with a schedule and map of quality report distribution A Report Inventory is a means to make public all available reports, the schedule for publishing to the organization, and their distribution. It provides a point of reference for all potential report requestors who are looking for data on any metric. The Report Inventory may also include reference to EHR alerts, mappings, and schedules and any supporting EHR or Population Health Management tools that are available to support improvement of each metric. Making this tool available on a shared drive or company intranet provides a point of reference for analysts to direct report requestors prior to acting on any new report request. The Report Inventory is organized by metric, including the denominator and numerator definitions, exclusions, and references to the metric steward which may be internal to the organization or external e.g. UDS, NQF, etc.. The Report Inventory should be curated by your data analysts in collaboration with the responsible metric stewards within an organization. Download each of these resources below, in the Documents to Download section. More Details...

EHR Optimization Series: Part One of Three: Including Performance Measure Crosswalk and Data Definition Worksheet (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The first of a three-part EHR Optimization series focused on establishing goals and expectations for optimizing EHR utilization and sharing proven strategy/tools for optimizing EHR utilization, including slides and related tools.  The first of a three-part EHR Optimization series focused on establishing goals and expectations for optimizing EHR utilization and sharing proven strategy/tools for optimizing EHR utilization, including slides and related tools.  EHR Optimization Session 1 Slides From May 2017 Learning Session; agenda includes: Introductions EHR Optimization Defined Identifying “Waste” Data Life Cycle Strategies for EHR Optimization Closing/ Discussions/ Sharing eCQM Crosswalk for UDS, MIPS, PCMH, etc.: Quality Measure reference tool to understand relationship between eCQM, PCMH, Meaningful Use and UDS data measures The CMS eCQI Resource Center is the definitive eCQM resource. This tool provides a quick crosswalk to the eCQM measure definitions and guidance to which of the eCQM measures are reported for UDS 2019, MIPS, CPC+, and NCQA PCMH. *Updated in January of 2019* Performance Measure Data Definition Worksheet: Organizational tool to confirm eCQM measure specifications match EHR vendor logic ONC EHR Certification criteria means that vendors use eCQMs’ electronic Clinical Quality Measures’ specifications to define measures. Therefore, reported data for a measure should be consistent regardless of vendor. In practice, however, it is important to confirm the vendor’s logic is consistent with the health center’s definition and workflows. This tool supports alignment of the health center’s data definition with the vendor’s reporting logic. Download each of these resources below, in the Documents to Download section. Access part two and three of this series as well! More Details...

HITEQ Health App Decision Tree: A tool developed In collaboration with the Children's Health Fund to help choose appropriate Health Apps (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: There are thousands of consumer health applications health apps, which run on smartphones, watches, tablets, and other mobile devices. These Health Apps are available for download for general consumers, patients, and healthcare professionals. Currently, there is no governmental agency that provides certification or guidance on health apps, although there are several projects from organizations such as HL7, the FDA, ONC, and OCR that are working to provide guidance. User discrepancy in terms of the validity and safety of the health apps they choose to use are primarily based on ratings or recommendations. This guide seeks to provide a health app decision tree that can assist medical professionals and consumers in making wise choices when using health apps. There are thousands of consumer health applications health apps, which run on smartphones, watches, tablets, and other mobile devices. These health apps are available for download for general consumers, patients, and healthcare professionals. Currently, there is no governmental agency that provides certification or guidance on health apps, although there are several projects from organizations such as HL7, the FDA, ONC, and OCR that are working to provide guidance. User discrepancy in terms of the validity and safety of the health apps they choose to use are primarily based on ratings or recommendations. This guide seeks to provide a health app decision tree that can assist medical professionals and consumers in making wise choices when using health apps. The Children's Health Fund was made aware of a use case in which a health app that was targeted for use by adults was used for a child and consequently caused a detrimental health issue. Currently there are no certifying bodies for consumer-oriented health apps and consequently many doctors must navigate this domain themselves. This guide seeks to provide a health app decision tree that can assist medical professionals and consumers in making wise choices when using health apps. Download the decision tree below. More Details...

Measuring Population Health Management Return on Investment: A methodology to calculate ROI (Return on Investment) using a Matrix Tool (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: There is a great deal of interest among health centers, Primary Care Associations PCAs, and Health Center Controlled Networks HCCNs in the advantages associated with investing in Population Health Management electronic platforms. Measuring specific and quantifiable returns clarifies the benefits and supports consistent understanding among stakeholders of the value of PHM. There is a great deal of interest among health centers, Primary Care Associations PCAs, and Health Center Controlled Networks HCCNs in the advantages associated with investing in Population Health Management PHM electronic platforms.  Measuring specific and quantifiable returns clarifies the benefits and supports consistent understanding among stakeholders of the value of PHM. Available below, the PDF document titled Measuring Population Health Management Return on Investment outlines a conceptual process for measurement of ROI of a population health management system offered at the network level. What is presented here could also be used a starting point for developing an ROI analysis at the organizational level. The companion tool, an Excel file titled PHM ROI Matrix Tool, provides recommendations for measurement for different stages of PHM implementation and an ROI calculator. Download both of these resources below. These resources were created in partnership with Michigan Primary Care Association and Mark S. Rivera of Managed Care Consulting Inc./MCC Analytics, and HITEQ thanks both for their time, insight, and energy. More Details...

Data Dictionary Tool and Template: Organizational tool for your EHR and analytics platform data indicators (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This Data Dictionary provides a single point of reference for data mapping and interpretation for all of the indicators in your quality reports. Organization of the data definitions in this tool provides a reference for the team of all such definitions that impact reports and alerts in the analytics application. This Data Dictionary provides a single point of reference for data mapping and interpretation for all of the indicators in your quality reports. Organization of the data definitions in this tool provides a reference for the team of all such definitions that impact reports and alerts in the analytics application. For example, it provides a format to document all items in a given report, and related EHR data. That application may be the EHR or an analytics platform that is tied to the EHR. Anyone with questions about where data is being pulled from for any indicator can reference the Data Dictionary without analyst security privileges or expertise within the analytics tools. The Data Dictionary should be curated by analysts and made available on a shared drive or company intranet. Download the Excel tool below to see a full example and additional instructions.  Also, see the companion Quality Report Inventory tool here. More Details...

Using Data to Manage Population Health Under Risk-Based Contracts: A background on what you need and how to use it (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This resource will equip health center stakeholders with the understanding of what data-related capacity is needed to succeed under risk-based payment models.   This brief walks health centers through three key questions related to using data to succeed under risk-based contracts: 1 What data do I need and how do I get it?  2  How should I analyze the data? and 3 How should I use the data to manage quality and cost? Understanding the answers to these questions assists health centers in understanding the data-related capacities needed to participate successfully in risk-bearing payment models. Download the brief below! More Details...

ICD-10 Z-Codes for Social Determinants of Health: A quick reference guide for providers and health care leaders (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This resource will equip health center stakeholders with the understanding of how standardized social determinants of health (SDoH) data can be used and which ICD10 z-codes are pertinent as a standardized SDoH data set. This resource describes ways standardized social determinant of health (SDoH) data can be used and provides a quick reference guide to which ICD-10 codes can help document standardized SDoH data.  Download here or below. More Details...

42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule and Health Center Compliance: A HITEQ Webinar in collaboration with the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This presentation explored the history and recent changes of 42 CFR Part 2, review common definitions, and how the changes may affect integrated medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) programs, and discussion on LifeLong Medical Care’s experience. More Details...

Security Risk Assessment: A HITEQ Privacy & Security Resource - New Templates Added May 2017 (2017). Resource Type: Template. Description: To successfully attest, providers must conduct a security risk assessment (SRA), implement updates as needed, and correctly identify security deficiencies. By conducting an SRA regularly, providers can identify and document potential threats and vulnerabilities related to data security, and develop a plan of action to mitigate them. More Details...

The Value Proposition for Population Health Management for Health Centers: Calculating ROI on your PHM investment (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Measuring return on investment ROI and the value of population health management is an emerging concern for health centers.  Calculating ROI on HIT investment is complex, and few health centers have experience in this endeavor.  The definition of value varies by type and size of provider, patient population, and other factors, and may be unique to an organization.  This white paper discusses principles and approaches to measure the value proposition for population health management for health centers.  Although few examples exist, we present the results of one health center’s measurement of the value of PHM. Measuring return on investment ROI and the value of population health management is an emerging concern for health centers.  Calculating ROI on HIT investment is complex, and few health centers have experience in this endeavor.  The definition of value varies by type and size of provider, patient population, and other factors, and may be unique to an organization.  This white paper discusses principles and approaches to measure the value proposition for population health management for health centers.  Although few examples exist, we present the results of one health center’s measurement of the value of PHM. Download the white paper below. More Details...

Results of Population Health Analytics/ Data Integration Survey: PCA/ HCCN Experiences Assessing and/ or Implementing Systems (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: HITEQ conducted an anonymous survey of population health analytic and data integration system needs and impressions among PCA/HCCNs in late 2016 and early 2017. The results of that survey, intended to help those looking to adopt similar systems, are laid out within. This includes ratings of key functionalities, discussion of most important features, and comments from those who have assessed and/ or implemented these tools. HITEQ conducted an anonymous survey of population health analytic and data integration system needs and impressions among Primary Care Associations and Health Center Controlled Networks in late 2016 and early 2017. The results of that survey, intended to help those looking to adopt similar systems, are laid out within. This includes ratings of key functionalities, discussion of most important features, and comments from those who have assessed and/ or implemented these tools. This piece reflects the aggregated responses of the 26 responding organizations that chose to participate through a call for responses to PCAs/ HCCNs. Responses are anonymous, are shared as they were provided with minimal editing, and reflect the views and experiences of the respondent(s) only. If you have experiences to add, please respond to the survey or email us! The survey results include: Number of respondents reviewing each system Ratings on selected functions Comments provided related to selected functions Data storage and management for each system Access to raw data downloads Features most important when assessing/ selecting a system Other priorities Reasons for making selection, vendor specific Reasons for making selection, general Three main lessons you’d like to pass on as a result of this experience General Comments Consider using this tool to help guide your thinking as to what questions you might ask vendors as well as what features you may want to see demonstrated if you are considering selecting a system of this type. The HITEQ Center does not endorse any systems or vendors, and has not validated any of the responses provided. More Details...

Demystifying Predictive Analytics: Factsheet on Predictive Analytics for Health Centers (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Using predictive analytics in health care is an emerging field, especially for health centers. This tool will provide a brief explanation of the purpose of predictive analytics, the ingredients necessary to apply these methods, and ways that health centers are using this approach to improve results. The objective of this resource is to help health center leadership and staff understand how and when predictive analytics can help them, and to think about how predictive analytics might fit into their data-driven QI program. This one-page brief outlines the basics of this complex topic. We define predictive analytics and describe how health centers are adopting this innovation. Sources and uses of data for making predictions are discussed, and specific applications of predictive analytics are described.  Specific health center examples are offered to illustrate the potential of predictive analytics for health centers. More Details...

HITEQ-Social-Determinants-Data-Infographic-2017: Coding Social Determinants of Health (SDH) for Optimizing Value (2017). Resource Type: Other. Description: SDH coding is important for clinical management and outcomes reporting for payment reform and value based payment (particularly capitate payment), as well as other policy work. SDH coding begins with care providers, who often may need to understand how these data can be used to benefit not only the patient they are serving but also the broader population served by the organization. More Details...

Coding Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) for Optimizing Value: An Infographic for Providers on the Benefits of Coding for SDH (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The purpose of the infographic is to describe how SDH data would be used for a variety of goals that would have traction with the clinic staff audience who may likely need to modify workflows and behavior in order to collect such data.  The visual case could be used in presentations or hung on a provider break room wall. SDH coding is important for clinical management and outcomes reporting for payment reform and value based payment (particularly capitate payment), as well as other policy work. SDH coding begins with care providers, who often may need to understand how these data can be used to benefit not only the patient they are serving but also the broader population served by the organization. More Details...

Health IT Privacy & Security Skill Sets: The Importance of Information Security for all Health Center Staff (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Since 2010, the healthcare industry has seen a remarkable increase in the use of technology in the administration and delivery in healthcare. This has led to a mass migration of data from paper charts and isolated systems to Electronic Medical Records EMRs and interconnected systems that transmit patient health and financial information across trusted and untrusted networks. More Details...

CHC Adoption Framework for Electronic Patient Engagement: Methods for deploying more personalized care to underserved populations (2017). Resource Type: Toolkit. Description: The introduction of electronic personal health records (PHR) systems, and the patient portals used to provide patients access to those records, into the fabric of the U.S. healthcare system provides a major opportunity to encourage positive health management practices, such as chronic disease management and increased care plan adherence, through greater engagement of the patient. More Details...

Using your EHR for Population Health Management: A Cross-reference Tool (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Health centers are interested in implementing population health management (PHM), but often lack the resources to purchase specialized PHM software suites to implement in conjunction with their EHR. We assessed the functionality of certified EHRs to assist health centers in utilizing native EHR capabilities to perform PHM functions. More Details...

Why Collect Standardized Data on Social Determinants of Health?: A slide deck outlining the potential use of ICD10 coding for SDOH. (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This resource will equip health center stakeholders with the motivation, knowledge, and ability needed to collect and use standardized social determinants of health data. This resource describes the importance of collecting Standardized SDOH Data in the context of value based payment.  The resource reviews commonly used codes in ICD-10 that can help document SDOH.  Finally, the slide deck describes useful tools for collecting these data and what’s on the horizon for health centers to strengthen their efforts to move “upstream” in addressing health disparities. Download this slide deck below. More Details...

Health Outcomes & Data Measures: A Quick Guide for Health Center & Housing Partnerships: A Quick (Data) Guide for Health and Housing Partnerships (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Both health and housing providers are tracking data elements and outcomes for a similar vulnerable populations. This resource guide highlights the common data elements currently being tracked, and opportunities to learn from multi-sector partners More Details...

Breach Protection Overview Presentation for Health Centers: A HITEQ Privacy & Security Resource (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Data breaches in healthcare are consistently high in terms of volume, frequency, impact, and cost. High-level breaches are increasingly occurring in a more targeted manner toward health centers. This presentation provides Health Center leadership and trainers with a template to use to build out their own organization-specific presentation on breach. Data breaches in healthcare are consistently high in terms of volume, frequency, impact, and cost. High-level breaches are increasingly occurring in a more targeted manner toward health centers. This presentation provides Health Center leadership and trainers with a template to use to build out their own organization-specific presentation on breach. This presentation template covers the following agenda: Quick Start Healthcare Privacy & Security Healthcare Privacy & Security Policies and Legislation Implications for Breach Management and Mitigation Strategies Questions and discussion More Details...

Prioritization Matrix: A framework for selecting QI activities or project (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: It is sometimes difficult to know what target metric to focus on when beginning a quality improvement project. A prioritization matrix is a management tool that uses a simple framework to compare multiple options side-by-side using standard criteria. This version includes four criteria and can be adapted for your purposes. What is it and how can it help me? It is sometimes difficult to know where to start when approaching several opportunities to improve care process that emerge from a quality improvement project. A prioritization matrix is a management tool that uses a simple framework to compare multiple options side-by-side using standard criteria.   Download one of the prioritization matrix tools below. One is for selecting a target for a QI Project (e.g., hypertension control, colorectal cancer screening, immunizations, etc.) The other is for selecting among potential improvements identified. These are word documents that you can further edit for your own purposes.   Prioritization Matrix for Selecting Target for QI Project Using the Guide to Improving Care Processes and Outcomes in Health Centers or beginning another QI project, a number of potential targets will be identified (e.g., hypertension control, diabetes control, colorectal cancer screening, no show rate, etc.) List those potential enhancements in the Opportunities to improve target performance column in this matrix. Rate each possible target according to the scale provided. You can also leave a column blank if you don’t find it relevant, just be sure to leave it blank for all options. When rating External requirement consider whether this target metric is related to required reporting, such as UDS, or even more that one reporting requirement? If yes, rate it a 3, otherwise, rate as a 2 for something that is desired or is tangentially related, or a 1 if it is not required for external reporting. When rating Cost consider how substantial the financial investment would be for addressing the target being considered? If the financial investment is relatively low, then rate it a 3. Rate a 2 if a moderate financial investment would be required, and rate a 1 if the activity would require a substantial financial investment, (i.e., the cost is high). When rating Difficulty, you may consider whether you currently have the staff, referral relationships, or other key components that are critical to addressing that target. For example, if you do not have an OB/GYN or someone appropriate to conduct pap tests on staff, and you don’t have an existing referral relationship with a provider who completes pap tests in your community, then targeting cervical cancer screening for improvement would be difficult. When rating Impact, consider how large of an impact addressing the target could have. For example, are there a large number of patients with the condition or in need of the screening? Is current performance particularly low such that a change could result in significant improvement? Once all potential enhancements are listed and ratings are in each column, add all columns together to identify the items that are likely to have the biggest greatest impact with the most efficiency. Those potential enhancements that have the highest score (=external requirement + cost + difficulty + impact) may be the best enhancements to try first.   Prioritization Matrix for Selecting Improvement to Test Using the Guide to Improving Care Processes and Outcomes in Health Centers or beginning another QI project, a number of potential targets will be identified (e.g., hypertension control, diabetes control, colorectal cancer screening, no show rate, etc.) List those potential enhancements in the Opportunities to improve target performance column in this matrix. Rate each possible target according to the scale provided. You can also leave a column blank if you don’t find it relevant, just be sure to leave it blank for all options. When rating External requirement consider whether this target metric is related to required reporting, such as UDS, or even more that one reporting requirement? If yes, rate it a 3, otherwise, rate as a 2 for something that is desired or is tangentially related, or a 1 if it is not required for external reporting. When rating Cost consider how substantial the financial investment would be for addressing the target being considered? If the financial investment is relatively low, then rate it a 3. Rate a 2 if a moderate financial investment would be required, and rate a 1 if the activity would require a substantial financial investment, (i.e., the cost is high). When rating Difficulty, you may consider whether you currently have the staff, referral relationships, or other key components that are critical to addressing that target. For example, if you do not have an OB/GYN or someone appropriate to conduct pap tests on staff, and you don’t have an existing referral relationship with a provider who completes pap tests in your community, then targeting cervical cancer screening for improvement would be difficult. When rating Impact, consider how large of an impact addressing the target could have. For example, are there a large number of patients with the condition or in need of the screening? Is current performance particularly low such that a change could result in significant improvement? Once all potential enhancements are listed and ratings are in each column, add all columns together to identify the items that are likely to have the biggest greatest impact with the most efficiency. Those potential enhancements that have the highest score (=external requirement + cost + difficulty + impact) may be the best enhancements to try first. More Details...

Health IT enabled Quality Improvement Project Charter: The first step in a QI project. (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description:  A Project Charter serves as a reference of authority for the future of the project. Creating a Project Charter and getting sign off from all participants gives all involved the authority to begin the work outlined therein. The task of developing the Project Charter builds understanding, consensus, and clarity about purpose, expectations, roles and responsibilities, and communications. Why develop a Quality Improvement Project Charter? Formalizes authority to dedicate resources (such as staff time) to the QI project Defines the purpose and expectations for the QI project Identifies key stakeholders to engage in QI project Clarifies roles and responsibilities of the QI Lead and QI Team members Assures commitment and support for QI project from leadership and QI Team members Provides a sustainable framework for any QI Project A Project Charter serves as a reference of authority for the future of the project. Creating a Project Charter and getting sign off from all participants gives all involved the authority to begin the work outlined therein. The task of developing the Project Charter builds understanding, consensus, and clarity about purpose, expectations, roles and responsibilities, and communications. Download the Project Charter (Word document) below to use with your QI team. It is important that this be completed with your QI team and leadership. Also, be sure to be as specific as possible when completing your QI charter, as this will be your reference for all things related to your project.  For example, rather than say you will hold monthly meetings, be specific that meetings will be the third Wednesday of the month at 9am. Another example, for the communication plan, be specific as to exactly who needs to be communicated with at what frequency, and through what channels. More Details...

Emergency Department Care Coordination: Targeted Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes and Decrease Costs (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This issue brief outlines strategies to achieve emergency department (ED) care coordination, summarize important legal and policy issues, and provides case studies of health centers that have implemented successful ED care coordination. More Details...

Examples of Technical Assistance Provided by Primary Care Associations and Health Center Controlled Networks: How HCCN’s and PCA’s can be helpful to Quality staff at a Health Center (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Examples of Technical Assistance Provided by Primary Care Associations and Health Center Controlled Networks This document showcases Primary Care Associations (PCAs) and Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) for five states, highlighting their work in Quality and Health IT.  These are examples of the types of assistance any health center may find from their own PCA and HCCN. HRSA provides funding to PCAs and HCCNs to provide state and regional resources to assist health centers. More Details...

Staffing Models, Program Elements, and Performance Expectations: A HITEQ Center Resource (2017). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The following document describes Quality and HIT staffing models for a low, middle, and high resourced health centers.  These models are intended to be both normative (e.g., How does my middle resource health center compare? Do I have all of these positions covered?) and aspirational (e.g., What benefits could we get if we move to the next level?).  The following document describes Quality and HIT staffing models for a low, middle, and high resourced health centers.  These models are intended to be both normative (e.g., How does my middle resource health center compare? Do I have all of these positions covered?) and aspirational (e.g., What benefits could we get if we move to the next level?).  Each model includes: Descriptions of staff Critical quality program elements at each stage How incentive payments could be allocated, and Performance expectations.  The model includes factors to consider when moving between stages and a staff position glossary to help define the different positions. As anyone who has worked in health centers knows, health centers are highly variable.  For this reason, this document is meant to help executives and quality staff think more deeply about their quality program.  It is not intended to be a literal guide. More Details...

Population Health Management, Social Determinants of Health and How These Fit: The relationship between population health management and social determinants of health (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This is a 21-slide module presenting an introduction to the concept of and relationship between population health management and social determinants of health beginning with current definitions, a brief history of along with the evolution of the field. This is a 21-slide module presenting an introduction to the concept of and relationship between population health management and social determinants of health beginning with current definitions, a brief history of along with the evolution of the field. A comprehensive model for the relationship among the social determinants of health and outcomes of population health is also included. More Details...

Data for Population Health Management: Measuring Population Health & Emerging Directions in Population Health (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This is an 18-slide module describes the role and importance of data to population health management. This is an 18-slide module describes the role and importance of data to population health management. This includes the various sources for data that inform population health management, an introduction to population health analytics; and recommended frameworks for collecting data and measuring impacts and outcomes of population health. The module concludes with a brief discussion of areas of future research and development in population health management. More Details...

Current Population Health Management in Health Centers: The Case for Implementing Population Health Management and Addressing the Social Determinants of Health (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This is a 27-slide module on population health management in the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The module provides several examples of current initiatives that support PHM and SDM as well as the use of these concept in supporting health equity in navigating the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This is a 27-slide module on population health management in the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The module provides several examples of current initiatives that support population health management and social determinants of health as well as the use of these concept in supporting health equity in navigating the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The module also serves to specifically outline the rationale of PHM in areas of cost efficiency, quality improvement and patient care including value-based reimbursement and risk contracts, targeting care and resources to improve outcomes, and patient engagement and care management.   More Details...

A Roadmap for Implementing Population Health Management: The implementation of population health management and social determinants of health in healthcare centers (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This is a 22-slide module on the implementation of population health management and social determinants of health in healthcare centers using the framework of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) for health equity. This is a 22-slide module on the implementation of population health management and social determinants of health in healthcare centers using the framework of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) for health equity. This outline provides a foundation that begins with electronic health records (EHR) and its progression to PHM. A step by step road map to implementation is outlined including adjusting organizational culture, conducting a vendor assessment, population stratification, work processes, patient registries, piloting and measuring implementation, and improvement. More Details...

Understanding EHRs, Analytics, Data Warehouses and HIE Repositories: A HITEQ Center-Developed White Paper (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The goal of this paper is to clarify the roles of several health care data technologies that are often confusing to people, including Electronic Health Record (EHR) Databases, Analytic Systems and Data Warehouses, and Health Information Exchange (HIE) Data Repositories. Health Centers entering the realms of Data-driven Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement may find themselves mired in a bewildering assortment of tools, products and terminologies. There are multiple ways in which Health Centers use information, and for better or worse, multiple technologies designed to most efficiently meet their needs. One of the leading sources of confusion emanates from the oft-used term “data aggregation”. We aggregate data because we want to improve our insights into the data and thereby make better and more timely decisions. Data aggregation, put simply, is the assembly of electronic information from multiple sources for these purposes. More Details...

HRSA Telehealth Resource Center (TRC) Technical Assistance available to health centers!: 12/22 HITEQ/HRSA Webinar Transcription (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: A transcription of the December 22nd HITEQ/HRSA Telehealth Webinar. Please join HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) and the Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center to learn about free telehealth and other health IT resources available to health centers. We will introduce participants to the regional Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs) and how to access the resources and technical assistance provided by the TRCs.  Participants will also learn about the HITEQ Center and different health IT resources and services available. For more information on the TRCs, please visit: http://www.telehealthresourcecenter.org/. For more information on the HITEQ Center, please visit: http://www.hiteqcenter.org/. More Details...

Assessing the Value of Health Information Exchange (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This issue brief provides an overview of the value of health information exchange, including determining ROI, categories of HIE benefits, and sources for additional information. Assessing the value of health information exchange (HIE) is important to health centers to support the case for using HIE and for increasing the use of HIE. HIE value can be financial value (cost savings, increased revenue) and clinical value (improved clinical processes and outcomes such as greater utilization of preventive care and fewer hospital readmissions). The value of HIE may not be the same across health centers, and some benefits may take longer to accrue than others. This document provides information to help health centers evaluate their return on the investment (ROI) in HIE — a measure of the efficiency of an investment. More Details...

HIE Evaluation Checklist: Scoring HIE offerings to assess suitability to your health center. (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This HIE evaluation checklist is a scoring checklist that health centers can use to evaluate HIE offerings on a number of key components ; and was modified for the health center audience with permission from the HIMSS HIE Evaluation Checklist. HITEQ recommends this scoring checklist which health centers can use to evaluate HIE offerings on a number of key components. This has been adapted from an earlier checklist developed by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), with permission. The checklist includes multiple criteria that may be more comprehensive than some providers need, but this scoring tool allows individual criteria to be included or omitted as appropriate during your review. The first tab ("HIE Evaluation Checklist") is a blank document. The second tab ("Checklist Example") shows how one provider might rate a particular HIE offering by including, excluding, and attaching its ratings to each criterion. Download the excel checklist below. More Details...

Health IT and QI Workforce Development: Onboarding for Success: 11/29 HITEQ Highlights Webinar Transcription (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: A transcription of the November 29th HITEQ Highlights webinar.  After a brief introduction to HITEQ and this Resource Set, this webinar will highlight two specific tools for onboarding new staff into your health center with a focus on speeding the onboarding of Health IT and QI staff. The webinar will delve into the two onboarding tools - the Calendar and the Sample of a Staff Member’s Dashboard for Required Tasks, showing how they are meant to be used and how you can customize them for your needs. More Details...

What MACRA Means for Health Centers: Payment reform and health center impact (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This HITEQ brief outlines Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) MACRA, what it signals for payment reform, and when it impacts health centers. Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) establishes the Quality Payment Program through the Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs). Although most health centers are not affected by MACRA, they need to understand its components since MACRA reflects national trends to shift payment from volume- to value-based. This resource identifies several strategies health centers can take to respond to these shifting dynamics, even if MACRA requirements do not directly affect them for now. More Details...

Introduction to Value-Based Payment for Health Centers: What is Value-Based Payment and why are Health Centers Considering Payment Reform? (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This HITEQ brief introduces value-based payment and role of health centers as payment models shift. The brief answers key questions about health centers’ engagement in value-based payment, including health-center specific Alternative Payment Methodology (APM), reasons to engage in payment reform, the shifts in primary care payment going forward, and the transition to value-based payment. Value-based payment is a systematic method of paying for care that rewards the cost-effective improvement of the health and well-being of a population.  Payment reform is changing current volume-based payment system to alternative payment models (APMs) that link payment to outcomes and align financial incentives with providing value. By engaging in value-based payment models, health centers can lay the foundation for financial sustainability, high quality care, and engaged staff. This resource outlines value based payment and payment reform specifically tailored to the health center environment. More Details...

Health Center Value Proposition Template: The Value of Health Centers in Assisting their Community to Meet the Triple Aim (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This customizable document uses health center data to support them in demonstrating their value to potential partners and key stakeholders. The document provides evidence for how health centers align with the Triple Aim. Health centers can fill in and customize the value proposition template to demonstrate the value of their primary care services and care model in providing high quality, cost-effective care to those most in need.  The template is structured around the three tenants of the Triple Aim: 1. Improving population health through economic and job growth; addressing social determinants of health; and providing high quality care through a health home model, quality outcomes and implementation of health information technology. 2. Improving patient experience by providing care that is responsive to the needs and realities of the patient population, including patient portals, non-traditional hours and timely appointments. 3. Reducing the per capita cost of health care by engaging in payment reform efforts and providing high-quality care at a low cost. Download the template to create your value proposition below. More Details...

Sample of a Staff Members' Dashboard for Required Tasks: A 2016 HITEQ Resource (2016). Resource Type: Template. Description: This is an example of a staff member dashboard that is used to ensure effective delivery of assigned tasks.  This dashboard can be used in the onboarding and orientation process to ensure understanding of role expectations, and can be tailored for any direct-care staff member. More Details...

Introductory Letter for EHR/ Health IT Vendor: For use in Health Center RFP process (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: A template for the introductory letter to EHR vendors participating in the health center RFP process. Use the following letter template (available for download below) to clearly communicate the importance of addressing your status as a health center to the EHR vendors that have been chosen to participate on your EHR procurement process. This letter template references the Health Center Profile in the Addendum; that template can be found here. For further guidance, this resource can help to guide your organization through the process of EHR procurement using a comprehensive tool such as the EHR Planning and Procurement Toolkit from the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MEHI). More Details...

Getting Started on the Quality Journey: Case Vignettes (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Launching quality work at first can feel like a daunting task – even more so if you do not have the support of leadership in your organization.  Some individuals have successfully launched quality work by following the mantra: “What can I get done by next Tuesday?”  This mantra helps them sidestep inertia, extensive collaboration, and time consuming benchmarking research. Instead, by identifying small steps they can take to improve quality on their own, within the context of their existing job, they can start on the journey quickly. Furthermore, success in these small steps can help with Leadership Buy-In for the importance of Quality work. The vignettes in the attached document are not intended to be literal examples of such efforts, although they rely heavily on real-life experiences.  Nor are they intended to be instructions for specific projects the reader can pursue at their own health center. Rather, these are intended to be aspirational examples of quality work that can be launched by an individual with relatively little support and produce results “by next Tuesday” (or relatively quickly).  The vignettes are written to encompass both health centers with many resources and those with less, to provide a variety of perspectives.  We hope that they inspire associative thinking for the reader, helping to identify specific work that can be accomplished “by next Tuesday.” More Details...

Health Center's guide to the MEHI EHR Planning and Procurement Toolkit (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: An introduction to creating an EHR RFP using the MEHI EHR Planning and Procurement Toolkit. This resource shows the user how to use a comprehensive tool such as the EHR Planning and Procurement Toolkit from the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MEHI) to guide your organization through the process of EHR procurement. The process documented in the EHR Planning and Procurement Toolkit offers a field-tested and proven methodology for a health center that is procuring an EHR. The Toolkit offers a process that will lead an organization through readiness and preparation, vendor solicitation, evaluation and selection, and vendor relationship management. Embedded within the Toolkit at critical steps along the way are the tools needed to execute an effective procurement process.  More Details...

Health Center EHR RFP Addendum (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This is an addendum template to be added to an EHR Request For Proposal (RFP) to help health center further specify the EHR functionalities needed. You may also consider using the available template introductory letter for your RFP as well. For further guidance, this resource can help to guide your organization through the process of EHR procurement using a comprehensive tool such as the EHR Planning and Procurement Toolkit from the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MEHI). This template is intended to be an addendum to the Request for Proposal (RFP) Template for Health Information Technology. This template can be used to add requirements specifically relating to the specialized requirements and operating environments of health centers. More Details...

Health IT-Enabled Quality Improvement: A Guide to Improvement: 10/4 HITEQ Highlights Webinar Transcription (2016). Resource Type: Publication. Description: A transcription of the October 4th HITEQ Highlights webinar. A transcription of the October 4th HITEQ Highlights webinar.  Improving care delivery is a business and mission imperative for health centers, and the HITEQ Center offers a growing collection of tools and services to support this journey. The foundation for these particular offerings is the "Guide for Improving Care Processes and Outcomes in FQHCs."  This web-based resource provides step-by-step guidance on understanding and improving workflows and information flows that drive performance on key targets such as hypertension control and colorectal cancer screening. Guide centerpieces include worksheets for documenting, analyzing, sharing and improving care processes for such targets. Strategies and tools in the Guide have been used successfully in various quality improvement (QI) initiatives, and a HITEQ Center focus is spreading this value more quickly and widely among health centers. This introductory training session introduces health centers and their partners to the Guide's proven approaches, worksheets and other health IT-enabled QI tool More Details...