by Kevin Lauzon, RT(R)(CT), CIIPy()(


HI-IQ UPDAT E )


Integrating HI-IQ into the IR ecosystem for quality improvement


document your procedures to the level of granularity needed, track complications and outcomes, and extract meaningful/ pertinent quality assurance reports from the data collected.


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Seamless interconnectivity of a specialty-specific or best-of- breed software with the general EMR/RIS is the key to providing clinicians the systems they need and the information they desire to analyze quality data. Connecting systems, via interfaces, allows for less time spent on entering data, eliminates data entry errors and results in more time being spent with the patient. This is the start of creating the ideal workflow for each department, while maintaining and improving quality and patient care. HI-IQ is the interventional radiology solution.


You could say that it is a challenge to quantitatively evaluate a set of qualitative conclusions, but utilizing HI-IQ can take your IR-specific data and turn your department’s quality measures into tangible figures. The Joint Commission recommends that each department creates a quality assurance program, to help maintain accountability and to fulfill practice quality improvement (PQI) initiatives. In order to measure quality assurance, there needs to be solid data that verifies improvement or stability of an outcome. According to “Guidelines for establishing a quality assurance program in vascular and interventional radiology,”1


departments can take certain steps


to set up this type of program. The most important may be to collect and organize data for analysis. Data is used to determine procedural outcomes and to communicate relevant information to the facility-wide quality assurance program.


HI-IQ constructs quantitative evaluations of qualitative data by allowing a department to pinpoint a specific target improvement area, such as reducing the amount of radiation for a specific procedure, focusing on patient care through workflow efficiencies, and analysis via reporting. Capturing data within HI-IQ allows reports to generate the needed information to quantify quality assurance.


Consider infection prevention, for example. CMS will not reimburse for an infection due to a procedure, which equates to lost


26 IR QUARTERLY | WINTER 2016


n the current health care ecosystem, can a one-size-fits- all electronic medical record (EMR) solution work? No—it is apparent that the one-size-fits-all EMR is not the ideal solution for an IR practice, particularly when you try to


revenue. It is possible to measure improvement by utilizing the Complication and Outcome Analysis reporting tools. Complication analysis will classify complications by service and severity using statistical data. Outcome Analysis distinguishes data by service with all possible outcomes. If infections arise, they need to be monitored and should be followed up by a primary care provider. IRs should review this data monthly to ensure catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are kept below your institution’s threshold. A rise above the threshold needs to be investigated and a correction plan should be implemented, such as technique assessment and staff retraining. Additionally, reevaluating data monthly once implementing an improvement plan should allow the department to observe the reimbursement rate increase and complication rate decrease. That is a numerical measure of quality assurance improvement proven through HI-IQ reporting.


Another example of quantitative measurements of qualitative data is the use of questionnaires at the pre-procedure timeout. By implementing the use of a questionnaire containing pre-procedure steps such as consent completion, test result information reviewed, correct site and side documentation, etc., it is possible to report whether each step is completed 100 percent of the time. By responding to the questionnaire, compliance can be measured via the Questionnaire Analysis Report. This is done by analyzing the created questionnaire and comparing the number of selected questionnaires and the number of completed questionnaires. This analysis attaches a figure to a qualitative measure.


By utilizing a department specific system such as HI-IQ, quality data is recorded down to the level of specificity needed for advanced quality assurance reporting. Reporting based on IR-specific data yields quantitative figures to help meet Joint Commission standards and improve overall IR department quality.


Disclaimer: Please note that SIR is not responsible for any products or services offered by ConexSys, including HI-IQ. Nor is SIR responsible for any guarantees offered by ConexSys. Any concerns or questions about HI-IQ should be directed to ConexSys at (866) 604-4447.


References


1. (2003, September). Guidelines for Establishing a Quality Assurance Program in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. JVIR, 14,(2), S203-S207.


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