STRATEGIC CLINICAL TECHNOLOGY
Transitions of Care Assessment In a Care Provider Network
Issue - Having secure electronic interoperability and interconnectivity when a patient is transitioned from one care setting to another is very important. This is especially true in the new care and pay models. As an example a patient transitioned from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility or a home care agency.
Current State - There are many health information technology (HIT) solutions to this situation. But, are they comparable with each other or do we have to revert to paper? In care models like the health information exchange (HIE) and accountable care communities (ACC) models it is important that the transitions of care be comparable and that trust is established. At this point in the paradigm shift of our healthcare system from episodic to predictive to preventive is not established between acute care and long term post acute care (LTPAC). Yet, from 40-60 percent of hospital discharges are to a skilled nursing facility or home care agency.
Solution - The hospital, skilled nursing facility, and home care agency should conduct an assessment of secure and trusted interconnectivity and interoperability between themselves and their care provider partners.
Transitions of Care Assessment - An TOC Assessment would include:
Issue - Having secure electronic interoperability and interconnectivity when a patient is transitioned from one care setting to another is very important. This is especially true in the new care and pay models. As an example a patient transitioned from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility or a home care agency.
Current State - There are many health information technology (HIT) solutions to this situation. But, are they comparable with each other or do we have to revert to paper? In care models like the health information exchange (HIE) and accountable care communities (ACC) models it is important that the transitions of care be comparable and that trust is established. At this point in the paradigm shift of our healthcare system from episodic to predictive to preventive is not established between acute care and long term post acute care (LTPAC). Yet, from 40-60 percent of hospital discharges are to a skilled nursing facility or home care agency.
Solution - The hospital, skilled nursing facility, and home care agency should conduct an assessment of secure and trusted interconnectivity and interoperability between themselves and their care provider partners.
Transitions of Care Assessment - An TOC Assessment would include:
- Examination of all provider partners HIT system and infrastructure
- Examination of all HIT Software Vendor application and the version installed
- Examination of all HIT Software Vendor Roadmap
- Identification of compatiability problem areas and suggested solutions
- Comprehensive Assessment Report for the Client
Health Information Technology Infrastructure Assessment of a LTPAC Facility(s)
Issue - Providers of LTPAC (Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Home Care Agencies, Hospice Care Agencies, Therapy, Medication Management) are just beginning to become partners in the spectrum of care. Especially in the new care and payor models like HIEs, ACOs, Medical Homes, Beacon Communities, Pay for Performance, and budded payments.
Current State - There are HIT systems available in LTPAC that are robust enterprise systems. On the other hand many LTPAC have not updated their HIT infrastructure to be viable providers in the new care and payor models. Many providers are still depending on software that does little more than submit the MDS and OASIS Medicare required patient assessments to get paid by CMS for the care they provide. The major reason providers have not updated their systems is that LTPAC was not included in the HITECH Ace that established financial incentives to update HIT systems. Also there is a continuous reduction in Medicare and Medicaid payments which make up the majority of the reimbursements for the care. In tomorrows healthcare system of patient centric electronic longitudinal care the facility has to have up to date electronic medical record (EMR) and a strategic plan too move to analytics and other capabilities required in the future as we move to preventative care.
Solution - Develop a health information technology infrastructure assessment and strategic plan.
HIT Infrastructure Assessment - The assessment would include:
Comprehensive assessment of current HIT capability
Assessment of the care partners and the transition of care capabilities
A three to five year HIT Clinical Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Alternative plans of action to become the preferred care partner
Clients - LTPAC Providers and Ancillary Corporations
Issue - Providers of LTPAC (Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Home Care Agencies, Hospice Care Agencies, Therapy, Medication Management) are just beginning to become partners in the spectrum of care. Especially in the new care and payor models like HIEs, ACOs, Medical Homes, Beacon Communities, Pay for Performance, and budded payments.
Current State - There are HIT systems available in LTPAC that are robust enterprise systems. On the other hand many LTPAC have not updated their HIT infrastructure to be viable providers in the new care and payor models. Many providers are still depending on software that does little more than submit the MDS and OASIS Medicare required patient assessments to get paid by CMS for the care they provide. The major reason providers have not updated their systems is that LTPAC was not included in the HITECH Ace that established financial incentives to update HIT systems. Also there is a continuous reduction in Medicare and Medicaid payments which make up the majority of the reimbursements for the care. In tomorrows healthcare system of patient centric electronic longitudinal care the facility has to have up to date electronic medical record (EMR) and a strategic plan too move to analytics and other capabilities required in the future as we move to preventative care.
Solution - Develop a health information technology infrastructure assessment and strategic plan.
HIT Infrastructure Assessment - The assessment would include:
Comprehensive assessment of current HIT capability
Assessment of the care partners and the transition of care capabilities
A three to five year HIT Clinical Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Alternative plans of action to become the preferred care partner
Clients - LTPAC Providers and Ancillary Corporations
Five Year Health Information Technology Clinical Strategic Plan
Issue: A Clinical Technology Strategic Plan is required to do planning in order to achieve the short and long term clinical objectives.
Current State - Most providers in LTPAC do not have a Clinical Technology Strategic Plan. This plan is required in today's healthcare system in order to plan for the changes that are happening in healthcare as we move from an episodic silo provider system to a preventative person centric care coordination system throughout the spectrum of care. The current system is dependent on the CMS to provide direction and the provider reacting to regulatory requirements. This strategy is a reactive strategy and is difficult for the provider to plan for the future to be proficient, productive, cost effective, and provide the highest level of care.
Solution - To develop a comprehensive three to five year HIT Clinical Strategic plan that updated annually.
HIT Clinical Strategic Plan - The plan would include:
Clients - Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Home and Hospice Care Agencies
Issue: A Clinical Technology Strategic Plan is required to do planning in order to achieve the short and long term clinical objectives.
Current State - Most providers in LTPAC do not have a Clinical Technology Strategic Plan. This plan is required in today's healthcare system in order to plan for the changes that are happening in healthcare as we move from an episodic silo provider system to a preventative person centric care coordination system throughout the spectrum of care. The current system is dependent on the CMS to provide direction and the provider reacting to regulatory requirements. This strategy is a reactive strategy and is difficult for the provider to plan for the future to be proficient, productive, cost effective, and provide the highest level of care.
Solution - To develop a comprehensive three to five year HIT Clinical Strategic plan that updated annually.
HIT Clinical Strategic Plan - The plan would include:
- Total review of the clinical and technology Market
- Review of the required short and long term clinical workflows
- Competitive assessment
- Demographic assessment
- Current clinical technology assessment of the client
- Suggested short and long objectives
- Alternatives to achieve success
- Success gates to measure success
- Estimated short and long term budget projections
Clients - Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Home and Hospice Care Agencies
John Derr, RPh Qualifications and Costs
The person conducting the assessment should have a working knowledge of the following clinical technology capabilities and have had personal hands on budgetary experience (Derr's CV backs up the qualifications). Knowledge in:
The person conducting the assessment should have a working knowledge of the following clinical technology capabilities and have had personal hands on budgetary experience (Derr's CV backs up the qualifications). Knowledge in:
- Available HIT systems of LTPAC, Hospital,, and Physician providers and corporations
- Clinical and Technical Workflows of all care providers in a patient centric longitudinal spectrum of care
- HITECH Act and CMS requirements and regulations
- Future plans of the Office of the National HIT Coordinator
- Clinical quality of care measurements across the spectrum of care
- Former clinical CIO
- Former CFO, COO, CEO
- Worked in all facets of care including hospitals
- Clinical Professional