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Is your Medical Practice Ready to Face CQMs on 2014 ?

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The, final Clinical Quality Measures(CQM) for eligible professionals, is out. CQMs are hoped to bring about more structured and uniformed data on patient centered care. The update has caused ripples in the healthcare industry as it means another set of rules for physicians to comply with.

2014; A year most Healthcare Professionals wont look Forward to !

It is going to be hectic days ahead for the healthcare industry. From adopting a new coding system, to reporting on 9 of the 64 CQMS, there is a lot on the plate for physicians. Adopting a certified ehr that offers advantages in the generation of clinical quality measures, is tough enough!

Select a CQM that is Easier for your Practice to Report against…

This is a daunting task. But choosing an appropriate CQM based on the entire patient population, and collective patient information is half the battle won. It is easier to prioritize and streamline your approach after you’ve opted for clinical quality measures that are specific to your practice.

Clear Cut Roles…

It is essential that practice managers and physicians allocate their staff clearly defined roles. Physicians need to decide who collects data on forms, who enters information into the ehr, and who stays back after office to oversee the process. It is also important that a fixed time is set aside for entering data into the ehr. It would be ideal to key in information after a patient visit.

Every Detail Matters !

It could be the tax id number of your patient or national provider id, every, information determines, whether you are meeting CQMs regulations or not. Download the complete data element catalog. Assign a separate staff or team to document data elements in the ehr for every specific cqm requirement.

Select a CQM that is Easier for your Practice to Report Against…

This is a daunting task. But choosing an appropriate CQM based on the entire patient population, and collective patient information is half the battle won. It is easier to prioritize and streamline your approach after you’ve opted for clinical quality measures that are specific to your practice.

Hands on Approach…

If anything it is the time for medical providers to adopt a more hands on approach. Taking care of patients is unfortunately not the only priority of doctors anymore! Train your in-house staff on working with an ehr and meaningful use guidelines And of course, stay in the loop !

Here is what you can do to Receive $44,000 !

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Getting ready for Stage Two ?

It is October. Time to get flu shots, hustle the kids to school for a new school year, and, yes concentrate on, mu! Qualifying for the stage two of meaningful use guidelines, is going to be tough for physicians. It is certainly no stroll in the park but it isn’t mission impossible either. The final regulations for meaningful use stage two emphasize on interoperability of data and more standardized data formats.

With 2014 drawing near it is time for the smart doc to plan ahead and gear up for the incentive !

Start with the lab…

Do you still run down the corridor to fetch x-rays ? A lab interface that can integrate with your existing emr or ehr can be helpful in qualifying for meaningful use. Lab data contains pertinent patient information and proper filing and documenting of patient records, is critical to attest for the mu incentive.

Several pac systems can integrate with ehrs and emrs. Pick one now and cast aside one major worry.

Are you Encrypting your Data ?

It is important that all personally identifiable health information is encrypted, when “not in use”. Ensure your vendors, staff and anybody who has access to your medical records, encrypts them.

Patient communication is going to be all important…

If you are a busy doctor who rushes through patient appointments, you’ll have to change the way you work. As expected meaningful use stage 2 raises the bar for patient engagement and communication. It is important that your patients are able to access their records and lab results. Asking your ehr vendor to set up a separate, password protected individual access, to patients can help in bettering patient communication.

A Mixed Bag !

The revised guidelines for stage 2 offer a mixed baggage for medical practitioners. It’s gone easy on several regulations that were proposed initially, such as reducing the number of patients, who have to be offered online access to medical information, from 10% to 5 %. But on the other hand has raised the bar for, ensuring patient communication and interoperability.

But it is widely believed to be, in the long run, not just a game changer but harbinger for a better and more secure healthcare environment.