Using Electronic Health Record Data to Improve Clinical Processes

Data housed in health system Electronic Health Records (EHRs) provide valuable insights and support a wide range of clinical, operational, and quality improvement activities. These data can – and should – serve as a foundational resource for practice transformation and clinical quality improvement (CQI) initiatives. In partnership with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), we conducted CQI activities that included validating quality metric rates and improving the accuracy and reliability of EHR-generated reports.

Although EHRs represent a powerful information resource, gaps in clinical documentation and reporting processes can impact data accuracy and the validity of standardized reports. This is particularly critical when EHR data are used to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions that are designed to improve clinical performance. To drive sustainable change within health systems, we implemented the following approach:

  • Conduct a Baseline Assessment: This process includes collecting and analyzing performance metric data related to cardiovascular and cancer screening outcomes. 

  • Validate EHR Reports: Following the baseline assessment, we assess the accuracy of EHR reports through targeted chart reviews. At this time, we also identify and address opportunities to improve clinical reporting and/or documentation.

  • Support Evidence-Based Intervention Selection & Technical Assistance: After completing the baseline assessment and EHR validation, we support health systems to select and implement evidence-based interventions (EBI) for quality improvement. Through ongoing technical assistance and routine meetings with health systems, we also provide coaching on selected EBI activities. 

  • Monitor and Evaluate Quality Improvement Efforts: To assess and evaluate the impact of quality improvement efforts, we regularly collect health system performance metric data to evaluate success. These data are analyzed, structured, and then used to develop data visualization tools and dashboards to track and share the results of quality improvement efforts with partners (e.g., health systems and funders).

Through this work, we have supported data collection, analysis, and CQI initiatives for nearly a decade across 20 Idaho health systems and 45 affiliated clinics. Our efforts have included providing technical assistance to help organizations better interpret and use their EHR data to guide decision-making and improve cardiovascular disease management and cancer screening outcomes.

Learn more about our work.

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