Skip to main content

Time-Sensitive: Statewide Data Validation Project Raises Concerns Among Hospitals

Woman in healthcare entering data into computer

A new data remediation project was discussed at a May 17 DOH forum for all providers that submit data to the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System. SPARCS plans to go back through data submitted for inpatient and emergency department cases since 2016 and validate that the injury, cause and place settings are complete and accurate, as required by the guidelines released at the end of April.

DOH said that in the next two weeks, it will generate a list of claims that need reconciliation. Each hospital will need to go through records from 2016 to the present and update them to meet the new SPARCS requirements. The requirements are contingent for each year, meaning 2016 has its own set of data, 2017 has its own set, etc.

Hospitals eagerly await details, as a remediation project like this could pose many challenges. Some hospitals have changed billing systems and, as a result, may not have access to records that far back. In addition, the medical record notes may not have complete information to identify the place where an injury occurred. With tremendous workforce challenges, hospitals may struggle to staff a project like this while maintaining the regular SPARCS submission requirements.

DataGen is aware of these challenges and awaits the DOH list. Our UDS team has done SPARCS remediation for 30 years, and we are positioned to help. DOH's estimated volume of records requiring remediation is 50,000, with a facility volume range of approximately 200 to 2,000 records. The majority of records are from 2018, 2019 and the first two months of 2020. As we learn more, we will continue to share updates.

Looking to save time on your SPARCS submissions? DataGen’s web-based software automates formatting, syncing, error sweeping and submission to SPARCS. Reach out to DataGen today to learn more.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five key components of a strong patient safety culture

In today’s healthcare environment, ensuring patient safety is more than just a priority — it’s a fundamental component of quality care. Establishing a strong patient safety culture within hospitals and health organizations can dramatically reduce errors, increase patient satisfaction and improve overall healthcare outcomes. But what exactly is a patient safety culture, and how can institutions cultivate it effectively?  This blog post explores the five key components that make up a robust patient safety culture, along with insights from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and The Joint Commission.  What is patient safety culture?  AHRQ defines patient safety culture as how an organization's culture supports and promotes patient safety. This can extend to multiple levels, from individual units to departments to system levels. The AHRQ patient safety culture survey encompasses the shared values, beliefs and norms of healthcare practitioners and staff that...
Post a Comment
Read more

101 Guide: Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI)

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) are crucial. These practices are essential for healthcare organizations that aim to enhance patient care while meeting regulatory and payer expectations.   That’s why we sat down with Mandi Diamond, senior practice transformation advisor at DataGen, to discuss the nuances. Read on for essential information on QAPI and how to measure your quality data.  What is quality assessment and performance improvement?  Defining quality assessment  The National Institutes of Health (NIH)  defines quality assessment (QA) as "the measurement of the technical and interpersonal aspects of health care and the outcomes of that care."   Diamond expands upon that definition, describing QA as the systematic evaluation of outcomes within an organization to measure the success of essential workflows.  Both definitions touch on the use of repeatable and systematic...
Post a Comment
Read more