Resource Search Results

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...