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Case Study: Precision.BI Delivers Results for Virginia-based Physician Group
Published February 2011

By Jennifer Reber

EVMS Health Services, Norfolk, VA, purchased Allscripts Analytics™ in order to advance their quality and performance. Analytics™ is a customized version of Origin Healthcare Solutions product Precision.BI (PBI), offered by Allscripts to clients looking for an innovative clinical intelligence and reporting solution. To learn how Origin can help your organization report more efficiently, keep reading or click here to view the PDF.

Business Needs

Prior to purchasing Analytics™, the quality team at EVMS Health Services investigated how to best improve its processes, performance and patient care. They realized that while the IT department was able to provide some reports as it related to notes and prescribing data that could be shared with providers, it lacked the ability to develop essential tools - like disease registries and other key monitoring solutions. The administrators determined that in order for EVMS to advance their quality and performance, they required a powerful analysis and reporting tool.

"We needed a tool that was easy enough to use without having to engage IT department resources," explained Allison G. Gray, RN, Nursing Clinical Quality Coordinator, EVMS Health Services.

Implementation

EVMS utilized the pre-built searches, worksheets, analyses and reports, and were able to customize them to best serve their needs. They also networked with other Allscripts users and experts to improve their technical expertise and learn key elements that it took to succeed in developing a patient registry. Gray said physicians initially questioned the data results and needed to understand how information was produced. It was initially a challenge to reassure providers that the data was accurate, she said. But fortunately, EVMS has been able to gain provider confidence in the performance feedback they receive.

"What we learned through building these tools was that there were certain changes that had to be made in practice workflows and data entry," explained Gray. "Instilling change in the practice is an ongoing process that involves many levels of staffing - from administrator to providers to support staff."

Goals Achieved

With the Analytics™ solution, EVMS has begun building disease registries for departments to provide feedback regarding chronic disease (e.g. Diabetes Mellitus, HIV). They've also built tools to assist with practice management (e.g. monthly task reports), EDC (Estimated Date of Confinement) and OB reports. They've also developed tools to help departments succeed with quality improvement initiatives. They have three practices applying for PCMH, or Patient Centered Medical Home Initiatives.

"Two of our biggest achievements have been achieving certified registry status from the CMS PQRI program in 2009," said Gray, "and our Diabetes Registry, which tracks approximately 8,000 patients on NCQA certified diabetes measures."

The Value

Gray said, "Analytics™ has allowed EVMS to search data and develop processes that improve care. It's also been fundamental in allowing us to look at the data entered in the EHR. It's also given us the ability to provide feedback to providers on chronic disease management, health maintenance and practice management." They can also report quality data to outside entities, such as CMS, in an effort to leverage the work they've done to gain financial reward for the quality programs they've initiated.

"It (Analytics™) has eliminated the need to do manual chart review to find documented data for registries," explained Gray, "and provided tools 'at the touch of a button,' to provide feedback for quality improvement and practice management."

 

About EVMS Health Services

EVMS Health Services is a not-for-profit physician group supporting Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). Over 150 physicians in more than 30 locations specialize in family and internal medicine, obstetrics, medical/surgical specialties as well as radiation oncology, laboratory and pathology services. Their goal is to provide healthcare services in a compassionate and friendly manner to people living and working in South East Virginia and North East North Carolina.

About Precision.BI

Precision.BI provides innovative business and clinical intelligence solutions to the healthcare industry. PBI is a product of Origin Healthcare Solutions.