Computer-based registries, Integration and FQHCs

I bet you're all way ahead of me on this. But recently I have begun to realize the essential role computer-based registries will play in the integration of behavioral healthcare and primary care. As you know, the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) will be key players on the primary care side for our patients. FQHCs will screen for and even provide some SUD/MH services. They'll refer some patients to specialty agencies for more in-depth treatment, while providing some medication management along with treatment for co-occurring illnesses such as diabetes, depression, heart disease, and chronic pain.

So how will information flow back and forth between an FQHC and a SUD specialty agency? In some cases it will be through a common electronic health record (EHR). In many cases, the two agencies will have different EHRs. In yet other cases, the FQHC will have an EHR and the SUD agency won't. But in all these cases, one thing is true. Patients will receive better treatment if each agency knows what the other is doing. The substance abuse confidentiality regulations such as 42-CFR Part 2 present a challenge to this information sharing. Electronic registries offer one way to partially meet this challenge.

Registries are cool because they can work with all sorts of record systems, electronic and otherwise. What's more, they're not very expensive to develop and operate. I'm not saying they're cheap, but they are reasonably priced. Providers at all sites can enter data on services provided and patient response. With patient permission, that information can be easily shared across sites. The registry can send an alert if the patient is not responding well. For example, when an FQHC refers a patient to an SUD specialty agency, the registry provides a convenient means for transferring important information as part of care coordination.

These data can be used for a variety of populations and patient-specific purposes including tracking and status monitoring. Providers could enter treatment, adherence, and response data on a routine basis and have it displayed (numerically and graphically over time) for not only the SUD but also for key co-occurring illnesses.

The registry could also analyze data. From the registry, both agencies can easily aggregate and examine information about their patient population in several different ways (i.e. by patient, health problem, appointment dates, attendance at medical appointments, medication adherence, and behavioral adherence, over time and within a certain period). For instance, the registry could examine the full list of patients; print out a summary table of their status (e.g., appointment attendance), and identify patients needing attention.

Alerts. Providers could receive summary data before a patient's visit along with notifications if patient's indicator exceeds pre-defined thresholds. This would allow a timely intervention.

Treatment communication. The registry can store data on key treatments and outcomes at and between FQHC or SUD specialty visits and automatically share that information between agencies.

It's easy for an engineer who knows nothing about treatment to say, but these capabilities seem pretty important. If you agree, it might be useful to explore an electronic registry. I bet a lot of you already have. If so, share your thoughts with us.

Dave Gustafson
Director, NIATx

The NIATx Story Database - A great resource just got easier

One of the most popular resources on the NIATx website is our collection of stories. Reading another organization's story and learning from their experience is a powerful tool. And with almost 3,000 participating NIATx organizations we've collected a fair amount over the years. But sifting through all those stories to find the ones most valuable to you and your situation can be a chore. So we've added some features to the NIATx story database to help you find what you're looking for.

In addition to being able to search the database you can refine your search by aim, level of care, NIATx initiative, and story type. You can also sort your results by state, organization, and story type.

So, if you're in need of some inspiration or feeling stuck, visit the NIATx story database. With over 500 stories it's a great resource.

And we're always looking to add new stories. If you have a story to tell, visit our Share Your Story page for detailed instructions.

8th Annual INEBRIA Conference - REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

8th Annual INEBRIA Conference: September 21-23, 2011
Boston, MA, USA

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Early bird reduced rates available until July 15
Please register at: http://inebria2011.jbsinternational.com/Register.aspx


September 21: Implementing and Sustaining Alcohol and Other Drug Screening and Brief Intervention (AOD-SBI) Meeting: Lessons from Large Scale Efforts
September 22-23: INEBRIA Conference – New Frontiers: Translating Science to Enhance Health
At the Liberty Hotel, Boston, MA

These conferences will communicate new findings from research on screening and brief intervention (SBI, also known as early identification and brief intervention, EIBI), foster professional collaborations, and facilitate the development and dissemination of SBI research with a particular focus on implementation and sustainability.

To register for the conference, go to: www.inebriaboston.org or http://www.bumc.bu.edu/care/inebria/.

For more information contact: info@inebriaboston.org.

SAMHSA Business Operations Webinar - HIT: Overview of CMS Final Rule on Meaningful Use and Gap Analysis

Thursday, May 26
2:00 pm EST/1:00 pm CST
Register for this webinar

This session will provide an overview of the CMS rule on Meaningful Use and Medicare and Medicaid Provider Incentives for the use of health information technology.

The session will review which providers are eligible for incentive payments and review the specific Meaningful Use Criteria that must be met in order to obtain Medicaid and Medicare Incentive payments.

The presenters will identify how this information can be used to conduct a gap analysis and implement a plan to meet Meaningful Use.

Speakers:

Michael R. Lardiere, LCSW
Director HIT; Sr. Advisor Behavioral Health

National Association of Community Health Centers
mlardiere@nachc.com

Susan Chauvie, RN, MPA-HA
Vice President, Quality for Practice Transformation
OCHIN
chauvies@ochin.org

Michele Russell
Vice President, Business Development
Health Choice Network
MRussell@HCNetwork.org

Angela Strain, GPC
Organizational Advancement Director
CHC Alliance / AHIT
angela@chcalliance.org

Click here for more information on the Business Operations for Behavioral Health Collaborative.

Organizing your process improvement resources with My NIATx

Use My NIATx to organize your favorite resources and stay up to date with the latest NIATx happenings.

The NIATx website is a deep and rich resource, with information, tips and inspiration to help you implement and sustain change within your organization.

With so much available, we wanted to provide a way to easily organize the resources you use the most.

The My NIATx page allows you to save your favorite documents or web pages in a single place on the NIATx website. It's your "go-to" page for the latest NIATx news, upcoming events, and posts to the NIATx support forum.

For more information, view the My NIATx Tutorial.

And let us know what you think. Leave a comment on this blog post or send us an email .

SAMHSA Business Operations Webinar - HIT: Benefits & Economies of Scale in Working with an HCCN

Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:00 pm EST/1:00 pm CST

Register for this webinar

There are a number of functions that are required when implementing health information technology, including:

• Training
• Systems back up
• Template design
• Server maintenance and upgrades

Providers have a choice of taking on these responsibilities themselves or working with an organization that can leverage existing relationships and competencies to provide these services. Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) provide Economies of Scale that individual organizations cannot.

This session will provide examples of how providers working with an HCCN can benefit from these economies.

Register for this webinar

---

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the National Association of Community Health Centers, NIATx, and the State Associations of Addiction Services have come together with SAMHSA funding to form the Business Operations for Behavioral Health Collaborative.

Its mission is to provide cross-cutting, high quality training, educational opportunities, and resources for service providers to implement efficient and cost effective business solutions.
The four primary training areas are:

• Health Information Technology
• Billing Operations
• Compliance
• Patient Eligibility/Access

8th Annual INEBRIA Conference - Call for Abstracts, Workshops and Symposia

8th Annual INEBRIA Conference: September 21-23, 2011
Boston, MA, USA

ABSTRACT, WORKSHOP, AND SYMPOSIUM SUBMISSIONS DUE
MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

These conferences will communicate new findings from research on screening and brief intervention (SBI, also known as early identification and brief intervention, EIBI), foster professional collaborations, and facilitate the development and dissemination of SBI research with a particular focus on implementation and sustainability.

We are seeking abstracts, workshop and symposium proposals in the following categories:

1. Research relevant to alcohol SBI
2. Research relevant to other drug SBI
3. Clinical or Educational Program evaluations relevant to alcohol and/or other drug SBI
4. Sharing of experiential or theory-based/generating insights
5. Interactive workshops

To submit an abstract, workshop or symposium proposal, or to register for the conference, go to: www.inebriaboston.org or www.bumc.bu.edu/care/inebria/

For more information contact: info@inebriaboston.org