SRG Technology, a Fort Lauderdale-based software solutions company, claims that their population health management (PHM) system, TopCare powered by BlenderTM, can put HIT ducks in a row. Is there any truth to the claim? An effective PHM system will integrate disparate data sources into a cohesive analytic source allowing providers to proactively manage care, promote wellness, and reduce costs. TopCare powered by BlenderTM does just that – and more.
It begins with the data. Traditionally, healthcare data is securely stored in information silos such as lab information, Practice Management Systems, Admissions Discharge Transfers, EHR, claims, etc. But rarely does the healthcare data intersect in a meaningful way. This makes it very difficult for healthcare providers to see the whole picture and make decisions based on all of the data. “Electronic health records systems are designed for visit-based medicine. That is a problem. It is very limiting,” says Adrian Zai, M.D., Ph.D, MPH, clinical director of population informatics at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. TopCare brings all of the relevant information together: risk stratification, filtering, analyzing and reporting through easy-to-use, role-based dashboards and patient registries.
The true TopCare stand-out feature is the additional level of support it provides by using both industry standards and provider-defined metrics to generate recommendations for improving inefficiencies, closing gaps in care, reducing readmissions and encouraging patient engagement and education.
Recommendations can be configured to address situations a provider may want to look at more closely. TopCare was developed with the newest technology, allowing it to easily adjust to change and growth, including the realignment of recommendation parameters.
The friendly, intuitive user experience within TopCare is of great value. The fact is, if people don’t like using a technology system – they won’t use it. Clinicians like to use TopCare. The unique TopCare Workspaces provide a platform for care teams to communicate effectively and efficiently. Entire care teams can easily communicate, collaborate and share best practices, resulting in better patient care. “The right PHM system focuses on creating collaborative, team-based care,” says Zai, “so the right information is pushed to the right care team member and the right action is taken.” TopCare shares information based on provider-defined roles. Workspaces are individually relevant and can be configured by individual users with simple click-and-drags to create the desired screen design for the most comfortable and efficient use. Ease-of-use increases active engagement, which leads to a healthier, happier population.
TopCare is a collaboration between Massachusetts General Hospital’s Laboratory of Computer Science (MGH LCS) and SRG Technology. The contribution of MGH LCS’s years of population health research and expertise gives TopCare a unique value, while SRG Technology brings the cutting-edge enterprise solution and education industry expertise. TopCare contains several traditional “education” tools to promote both patient engagement and targeted employee professional development – setting it apart from all other population health management systems on the market.
Healthcare administrators are inundated with change right now and many fear that implementing a PHM system will be too difficult, too costly or both. But TopCare adds value and keeps things simple. “A good population health management system allows you to be more effective with your limited clinical and financial resources. TopCare streamlines the entire process of providing quality care, and the biggest impact we are seeing as a result of this increased efficiency is the reduction of costs for healthcare organizations,” says Tanya Zucconi, senior project manager, clinical performance reporting at Brigham and Women’s Physician’s Organization in Boston and a TopCare user. “When administrators are asked where their numbers are coming from or asked for the details about how choices are being made, a good population health management system like TopCare will enable healthcare administrators to show where the data is coming from, and how your performance measures against other metrics,” Zucconi says.
By drawing data from disparate sources; aligning an organization’s needs with recommended actions; reducing gaps in care and work flow inefficiencies, TopCare ensures providers are focused on patient care without sacrificing the bottom line – like water off a duck’s back.
