Data Storyteller

Many health centers struggle to reap the benefits of technological advancement and investments in health information technology (health IT), while others embrace them and reap rewards. Interoperability is one such example; requiring health centers assess systems, relationships, and implementation.

There are keys to successful interoperability implementation for which health centers must develop processes, stand up infrastructure (within the system, internally and externally, and organization), and then take action.

Process refers to structured processes, policies, and procedures within the health center.

Infrastructure refers to structural capacity and ability within the health center’s technology and staffing structure.

Action refers to full implementation to the point of active and ongoing use and engagement.

This scorecard encourages health centers to consider their processes, infrastructure, and action in a number of key areas. Each area key to interoperability are to be self-graded on a scale of 1 through 5, where 1 is poorly or not yet developed and 5 is well developed. Health centers can also use this to guide discussions and monitor progress over time.

The Streamlining IT Infrastructure for a Successful Telehealth Program learning collaborative series focused on best practices, common solutions, key considerations, and other strategies for success when implementing telehealth technologies in a health center. 

Health centers participated in four structured virtual sessions where they engaged with subject matter expert, Rachel Dixon, President and Executive Director of Prime Health, and in didactic learning and peer sharing and discussion. Session topics included: assessing technology and identifying best practices for streamlining telehealth workflows, aligning telehealth technology with financial sustainability, telehealth technology vendor considerations, and operationalizing telehealth technology strategies.

This series was particular to health centers and oriented to:

• Health centers that may have started a telehealth program, but pulled back and are not sure how to go forward, or

• Health centers that have started telehealth implementation, have some experience and are ready to take a step back and reassess the technology you are using, and

• Health centers that are ready to think about alignment of their telehealth strategy with long term financial stability.

In early 2018, KLAS researchers issued a report stating that the CommonWell-Carequality connection is the key to interoperability value^1,2. It is believed that when vendors fully embrace CommonWell and Carequality “instant value” will be created for users. This is an appealing promise to all healthcare providers, including health centers. So what should health centers know about this effort, and how should they prepare to capture the benefits?

Despite changing political forces, health care is likely to continue to transform toward value based payment, which has long held bipartisan support. This webinar will review basic concepts of value based payment and IT-related requirements to engage in these models successfully.  The session will feature how one health center uses health IT to participate in value based payment models. Finally, participants will take a ‘tour’ of the HITEQ Center's Value Based Payment resource set in the context of how these resources can support health center engagement in value based payment models.