MHA Council on Data and Information Systems
The Data and Information Systems program was established in 1998
to focus additional resources on the data issues facing Montana's
health care providers. Data collection and analysis support member
facilities' efforts to adapt to the rapidly changing health care
marketplace. They also are the foundation for the association's
advocacy efforts.
MHA data programs have taken on increased importance in recent
years. Data collection and analysis is the foundation for the association's
advocacy efforts. In addition, data is critically important to the
membership's efforts to adapt to the rapidly changing health care
marketplace.
The goal of MHA COMPdata is to establish MHA as the preeminent
source of health care data in Montana. MHA's database includes over
90% of Montana inpatient hospital discharges for 1995 through 2000
and most outpatient surgical procedures delivered since 1998.
MHA members adopted key changes to the COMPdata program's confidentiality
policies to increase the system's reporting capabilities. The Council
has also recommended that MHA invite Ambulatory Surgical Centers
to participate in the COMPdata program.
MHA continues to improve access to the Database, especially by
small rural hospitals with limited staff resources dedicated in
data analysis. MHA provided more than 100 reports to members during
2000 and expects to provide even greater assistance in 2001.
Since Montana Health Share (formerly Rate Review) ceased operations
in 1998, there is no statewide data repository for hospital charge
and expense information. Montana hospitals previously participated
on a voluntary basis in the Colorado DATABANK program. The system
was considered redundant to MHS and suffered from technical problems,
primarily cost allocation to long term care settings.
DATABANK is used in 30 states, including North and South Dakota,
Colorado, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Arizona. DATABANK is negotiating
with AHA to use the DATABANK module in lieu of the AHA annual survey
of hospitals.
DATABANK software has been reconfigured to alleviate previous problems
cited by MHA members. The MHA Board of Trustees has directed MHA
to develop the Colorado DATABANK program in Montana. Participation
in the program will be mandatory for all eligible members.
The data program provides comparative statistics on numbers and
types of health care personnel and their salaries. Salary data of
MHA has taken on increased prominence in recent years.
Hospitals are developing formal programs to monitor service quality,
patient satisfaction, outcomes and clinical treatment pathways.
Hospitals rely on patient surveys, benchmarking data and other analysis
provided by a variety of vendors.
MHA endorsed the Picker Institute patient satisfaction survey instrument.
The endorsement brings Montana hospitals and other health care providers
access to preferential pricing and comparative analysis through
the VHA/CHA/Picker contract. Currently, 12 Montana hospitals participate
in the Picker Institute's program.
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