Due to this technical progress, each month Rochester RHIO receives over 120,000 C-CDAs. This number will increase exponentially once two of our health systems start contributing C-CDAs. In addition, C-CDAs are reviewed by the RHIO Medical Director for data quality gaps in reporting. Deficiencies or gaps found on C-CDAs are chronicled, and practices with gaps are contacted via phone, secure emails, or visits to rectify the deficiencies.
A dashboard is maintained for New York State compliance reporting, which is currently submitting data based on 2014 standards and tracking data gaps based on 2015 standards.
This changes in 2019
. Sixty-one percent of practices have successfully submitted a COMPLETE C-CDA and 25 percent of practices having gaps in C-CDA data reporting were successfully converted to COMPLETE after constructive intervention by the Medical Director. Seven percent of practices remain deficient mostly because of vendor versioning issues. Rochester RHIO has the capability to receive and analyze a wealth of data for exchange using various platforms. Rochester RHIO receives lab results, imaging studies, clinical summaries as C-CDAs, admission and discharge alerts from various institutions (hospitals, nursing homes, SNF, community homes, rehab units, etc.). Encounters in hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care, and ambulatory sites are received and distributed out to providers. Soon, Rochester RHIO will include endoscopic and cardiology reports into its health information exchange. This is a critical addition and dear to me being a gastroenterologist.
Rochester RHIO is able to receive and send Cross QE Alerts and access data from other QEs (Qualified Entities) statewide. In the near future, Rochester RHIO will be able to receive patient care Alerts from other states.
Rochester RHIO is in a unique position to influence the regional health care market for the best possible patient care
, which is transitioning from volume-based to a value-based payment system. Pertinent clinical data is provided to RHIO physicians who are self-reporting to merit-based payment systems of CMS.
Complete C-CDA patient care reports are extremely useful to participating Rochester RHIO providers. Physicians and their clinical staff can query for these reports through the Explore clinical query portal. Users simply click "Repository" to access this health care information documented by themselves and providers from 13 counties. Physicians can then update the care and concerns of patients, schedule follow-ups, and take immediate action on abnormal labs, X-rays, and hospital/urgent care visits.
I strongly suggest that independent practices and providers join Rochester RHIO (CORE services have few fees and CORE service setup is relatively easy) and enable their practices to gain access to the huge volume of clinical pertinent data available at their fingertips. The DEIP (Data Exchange Incentive Program) grant of $11,000 - $13,000 is still available to those who qualify on a first come, first serve basis until September 2020. Start contributing your clinical care data elements to Rochester RHIO through your certified vendor if your vendor is also participating. The TIME is right and that TIME is now.
Regards,
Tarun Kothari, MD, FACG, FACP
Rochester RHIO Medical Director
