Mike HindmarshImproving Chronic Illness Care

California Chronic Care Learning Communities Initiative Collaborative

February 2, 2004Oakland, CA

Clinical Information Systems: Integrating Registries into Everyday Practice

The Care Model

Informed,EmpoweredPatient

ProductiveInteractions

Prepared,ProactivePractice Team

Improved Outcomes

DeliverySystemDesign

DecisionSupport

ClinicalInformation

Systems

Self-Management

Support

Health System

Resources and Policies

Community

Health Care Organization

You are here

What a Registry Should Be

• be quick to implement

• be simple to use

• be organized by patient; not disease, but responsive to disease populations

• contain only data relevant to clinical practice

• when necessary, make data entry simple and efficient

• be easy to update from other automated data sources

• assist with internal and external performance reporting

• guide clinical care first, measurement second!

Can I use my EMR for what I need to do? Yes, if…

• It provides access to lab data, dx test results, and across settings in your system.

• Guidelines and prompts are included for needed services

• You can identify populations and subpopulations of patients

Can I…(cont.)

If…

• Allows stratification of patients (complexity, disease severity for case management services)

• Captures outcomes by provider

• Captures all critical clinical information

Use the CIS to:

1. Create population-specific reports

2. Facilitate external reporting requirements

3. Create dashboard reports of the practice as a whole

CIS: Facts vs. Fears

Fear: Why do we have to have a registry?

Fact: Planned population-based care cannot be done without knowing your patient population and its key clinical data

Fact: Primary care teams that implement registries are more likely to improve processes of care for all chronic conditions

Fact: Teams with registries are less likely to lose patients to follow-up, and more likely to improve patient satisfaction as care improves

CIS: Facts vs. FearsFear: I don’t need anyone telling me how to practice! I’m doing

just fine with my patients!

Fact: Surveys show that providers consistently under estimate the numbers of patients with chronic disease in their practice

Fact: Surveys show that provider consistently over estimate their performance measures on process and clinical outcomes for chronically ill patients.

Fact: The two are interdependent.

Fact: Knowing you population of patients will help rectify this disparity.

CIS: Facts vs. Fears

Fear: It’s just more work during our already hectic day!

Fact: Using a patient summary form from a Registry will actually reduce charting time and make the visit run more smoothly

Fact: The form gives a snapshot of past care, reminders of needed care and planning for future care all at the time of the visit

Fact: Teams with registries feel better prepared for visits since they have the patient information when and where they need it.

CIS: Facts vs. Fears

Fear: This will cost me a fortune and there’s no return on investment!

Fact: Implementing a registry is simple, and there are economies of scale as you add more patients.

Fact: Registries facilitate populations-based care which improves outcomes and patient satisfaction

Fact: Planned care via the registry generates visits that are typically of higher intensity while reducing unexpected visits for acute exacerbations

Making Clinical Information Work for You in Clinical

Practice

The Software

• Assess available software for appropriate functionality

• Install the software.

• Identify training resources.

• Highlight CIS importance to rest of team for buy-in

The Chronic Illness Data Manager

• Identify best person on team to manage the disease management information.

• Choose person with computer skills and interest.

• Define roles and responsibilities for manager.

• Secure training for manager as needed.

• Train a back-up.

Populating a Registry

• Use billing data and ICD9 codes to identify specific populations or build prospectively.

• Download names and contact information into registry.

• Establish process for regular population updates.

Getting Clinical Data into the Registry

• Define the relevant clinical data needs.

• Use the visit for collecting non-automated data.

• Develop and test data capture process.

• Use chart audits judiciously.

• Develop and test data entry process

Using Data at Point of Care

• Establish process for producing patient summary data for use at time of visit. (acute or planned)

• Make sure summary is replacing other data capture processes to avoid double entry.

• Ensure summary is on chart or in the exam room.

• Does the summary work for various patient types?

• Ensure new data is captured on the summary.

• Develop process for new summary data to be entered into registry.

Using Data for Care Reminders

• Establish what you want “reminding” about.

• Determine how you want to be reminded. (i.e, exception reports or individual patient prompts)

• Identify team member responsible for monitoring reminders.

• Create process for responding to reminders. (i.e., who calls patient, when and for what purpose)

• Create process for updating/modifying reminders.

Using Data to Monitor Performance

• Determine what types of population reports are needed and reporting intervals.

• Establish process for creating customized reports.

• Who will generate reports?

• Who receives reports?

• Do the reports facilitate continued improvement?

Keys to Success from Others That Have Implemented Registries

• Everyone understands the clinical utility and supports the time involved in registry upkeep. Care management using registry data is a team approach

• Dedicated time each week for primary team to use data

• Data forms are clear, roles are assigned, data review time allotted.

• Data are clinically relevant, and used for patient care first, and measurement second.

• Data can be shared with patient to improve understanding of treatment plan.

Barriers to CIS use

• Lack of perceived value

• Competing business and productivity demands

• Lack of office flow expertise

• Lack of information support

• Lack of leadership support

For More Information:

Please visit Improving Chronic Illness Care’s web site at

www.improvingchroniccare.org