Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) collect critical data through the use of standardized questionnaires. These surveys, which often collect data at multiple points in time, provide a means for clinicians to capture quality metrics that advance value-based care. Clinicians focused on long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) can use PROMs to better serve patient populations with complex needs.
With ChartPath, clinicians can easily integrate PROMs into current workflows. From data collection to structuring to reporting, ChartPath's PROM services can help you help your patients.
Patient-reported outcome measures, or PROMs, are standardized questionnaires that measure statuses such as mental health, mobility, fatigue, or pain. Healthcare professionals commonly use PROMs to assess whether a treatment, such as surgery, was effective.
PROMs allow for the tracking of symptoms and outcomes, and you can choose a PROM that fits your patient population. One of the benefits of patient-reported outcome measures is that you get patient-level data aggregated in one place.
Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs), on the other hand, measure patient satisfaction based on feedback related to factors such as coordination of care, staff and medical professional communication skills, and whether they received courteous and respectful care.
PROMs let medical providers know if their treatments support individual LTPAC patient care. Without patient-reported outcome data, there are gaps in understanding the effectiveness and potential areas of improvement for various types of LTPAC care. Knowing where strengths and weaknesses in treatments lie based on PROMs data can inform quality of care improvement efforts.
PROMs also create the data necessary to demonstrate that you are meeting payer and regulatory requirements. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, specifically mentions PROMs as a high priority for it and other agencies. Insurance companies may use PROM data in making reimbursement decisions to ensure value-based care.
Those who engage in population health and research use PROM data to make broader determinations regarding LTPAC quality improvement, best practices, and health outcomes. PROMs enable broader clinical and research efforts that inform policy, enhance the quality of data collection in clinical trials, and target quality improvement targets for providers.
There are several types of PROMs that providers can choose from based on their patient population. General PROMs focus on patient outcomes, including general well-being, quality of life, and mental health.
Disease-specific PROMs focus on symptoms and outcomes for patients with a particular illness or condition, such as cancer or heart disease.
To collect PROM data, providers can use systems that best suit their needs and ability to integrate new technologies. Potential data collection methods include:
Paper-based surveys
Online patient reporting platforms
Electronic health records systems
Clinicians who integrate PROMs into their workflow must balance their needs with their ability to collect data. For example, a system that relies on EHRs won't be efficient if staff aren't using EHR technology properly or are alternating between data collection methods.
As with any new patient care measure or LTPAC technology, you must assess any challenges you may face when integrating PROMs, including:
Ensuring complete and timely data capture: A PROM must match a healthcare provider's ability to enter data promptly and without missing key data points.
Resistance to change: It can be challenging to secure buy-in to new technologies, which can affect the quality of data.
Meeting diverse stakeholder needs: Patients, clinicians, IT departments, payers, and administrative staff are just some of the stakeholders to consider before implementing a PROM.
Equity in data collection: Before adopting a PROM, ensure that it can capture data from all patient populations. For example, one that only has questions in English isn't appropriate for all settings..
It isn't wise to make an executive decision about PROM implementation without first getting feedback. Gather representatives of key stakeholder groups and give them a platform to influence decision-making. Once you decide on a PROM, take the time to fully explain the patient-reported outcome measures guidelines and train in proper PROM use.
When discussing with stakeholders, emphasize how PROMs inform and improve treatments and outcomes, ultimately leading to increased reimbursements.
PROM data provides evidence-based measures of various patient outcomes. CMS and other payers now require PROM reporting to ensure that they are getting the best value for their reimbursements. Poor or missing PROM data could result in an inability to serve specific patient populations or put reimbursements for current patient care at risk.
Complying with payer PROM requirements ensures higher reimbursement rates. It also reduces the risk of an audit to determine if you can continue receiving reimbursements. You can provide high-quality patient care with successful outcomes, but if you cannot prove that through standardized, validated questionnaires that back up your assertions, you risk losing payments.
At ChartPath, we've been a leading EHR solution for LTPAC clinicians since 2012. We understand and value LTPAC teams and thrive on providing them with solutions that maximize their efficiency and profitability, giving them more time to focus on patient care.
We believe that your EHR should make your life easier, and we provide ongoing support and training. ChartPath is custom-built for LTPAC clinicians, meets regulatory requirements, and makes it easy to capture the high-quality data you need.
Patients and clinical practices need and deserve the right tools to track symptoms and outcomes and improve patient care. Clinicians also need PROMs to qualify for CMS and insurance reimbursements, and to avoid audits that disrupt care and lead to a need for immediate actions without time to evaluate options properly.
A clinical practice that doesn't emphasize PROM implementation puts itself at risk, but you can make the transition easier. ChartPath is an EHR solution that seamlessly connects the information you need to stay compliant and track patient outcomes. Ease of use makes the transition to any new system easier, especially for practices with a number of different stakeholders to consider.
For a demonstration or for more information, contact us so we can partner in improving patient and clinician measures and outcomes.