Meeting Data Requirements for Nurse-Managed FQHC
To discuss how a nurse-managed health center met the data reporting and quality reporting requirements associated with a FQHC designation. The focus of this presentation is centered around electronic health record requirements and data abstraction as it relates to Uniform Data Set (UDS), Meaningful Use, and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The purpose of this presentation is to give an overview of what to expect during the data reporting process as part of the FQHC designation. The presentation is intended to fulfill these aims: 1) to discuss the basics required to meet federal reporting guidelines, 2) to convey pertinent data reporting elements and ensure data integrity.
Rationale/Background
Receiving FQHC designation, while pertinent for sustainability, comes with stringent federal data reporting requirements and quality improvement initiatives. On an annual basis, UDS measures for financial and clinical indicators need to be reported to ascertain where a funded health center is benchmarked in relation to national indicators and goals. The importance of data integrity and knowledge of measures is imperative for success and continued funding.
Along with UDS, the Meaningful Use benefit under Medicaid and Medicare is something required of all FQHCs. Additionally, the push to have all FQHCs become nationally recognized as a PCMH places additional data analytic responsibilities on the organization. Accurate reporting requires expertise and personnel to ensure the selected indicators are tracked in accordance with guidelines.
Outcomes achieved/documented
We transformed from a NMHC to a nurse managed FQHC in June of 2012. Documented outcomes in its relation to data include:
- Submission of UDS reports
- Quality improvement tracking
- Adoption of a new electronic health record system
- AIU and Stage 1 Meaningful Use under the Medicaid benefit
- Transformation to prepare application for PCMH national recognition
Conclusions
With the added benefit of becoming an FQHC comes increased data reporting and the production of measurable results. The data measures required of an FQHC, while rigorous, sets the health center apart from others as it ensures patients receive the highest-quality care through national initiatives and quality improvement foci. These measures serve as the framework to achieve the triple aim: 1) cost containment, 2) improved population health, and 3) enhanced patient satisfaction.