Howard Hays, MD, MSPHRPMS Program Manager, IHS

Howard Hays, MD, MSPHRPMS Program Manager, IHS

World VistA CommunityJune 16, 2007

Indian Health ServiceIndian Health Service

• Provides comprehensive care to over 1.6 million American Indians / Alaska Natives

• Nearly 600 health care facilitiesFederal

Tribal

Hospitals 36 13

Health Centers 61 158

Health Stations 49 76

Residential treatment centers 5 28

Alaska village clinics 170

Urban programs 34

• Provides comprehensive care to over 1.6 million American Indians / Alaska Natives

• Nearly 600 health care facilitiesFederal

Tribal

Hospitals 36 13

Health Centers 61 158

Health Stations 49 76

Residential treatment centers 5 28

Alaska village clinics 170

Urban programs 34

Indian Health ServiceIndian Health Service• Over 50% of programs are operated by tribes

through tribally run compacted or contracted facilities

• 34 urban programs are contracted to provide care to AI/AN populations in metropolitan areas

• Remaining care is provided through federally operated ‘direct’ programs (majority of the user population still receives care in direct programs)

• Over 50% of programs are operated by tribes through tribally run compacted or contracted facilities

• 34 urban programs are contracted to provide care to AI/AN populations in metropolitan areas

• Remaining care is provided through federally operated ‘direct’ programs (majority of the user population still receives care in direct programs)

Data NeedsData Needs• Clinical care

– Provision of care (diagnoses, meds, results, etc.)– Assessment of quality of care

• Public Health Surveillance– Fluoridation, Immunization, Suicide, DV/IPV, etc.

• Billing / Collections– Diagnosis and service codes

• Research– Collaborations with CDC, AHRQ, academia

• Performance Assessment– GPRA and other national measures

• Legislative– Congressional reports, budget justification, etc.

• Clinical care– Provision of care (diagnoses, meds, results, etc.)– Assessment of quality of care

• Public Health Surveillance– Fluoridation, Immunization, Suicide, DV/IPV, etc.

• Billing / Collections– Diagnosis and service codes

• Research– Collaborations with CDC, AHRQ, academia

• Performance Assessment– GPRA and other national measures

• Legislative– Congressional reports, budget justification, etc.

Data Issues in IHSData Issues in IHS

• Funding and reporting are centralized, but administration and governance are decentralized

• Over half of Indian health programs are administered autonomously by tribes

• Submission of health data from tribes is voluntary

• Therefore, we (IHS) must provide tools for quality care and data collection that are attractive and meet the needs of all constituents, Tribal and Federal.

• Funding and reporting are centralized, but administration and governance are decentralized

• Over half of Indian health programs are administered autonomously by tribes

• Submission of health data from tribes is voluntary

• Therefore, we (IHS) must provide tools for quality care and data collection that are attractive and meet the needs of all constituents, Tribal and Federal.

RPMSRPMS

• Resource and Patient Management System

• IHS Health Information Solution since 1984

---- A.K.A. ----

Really Powerful at Measuring Stuff

• Resource and Patient Management System

• IHS Health Information Solution since 1984

---- A.K.A. ----

Really Powerful at Measuring Stuff

• RPMS is an integrated Public Health information system– Composed of over 60 component applications– Patient and Population based clinical

applications– Patient and Population based administrative

applications– Financially-oriented administrative applications

www.ihs.gov/CIO/RPMS

• RPMS is an integrated Public Health information system– Composed of over 60 component applications– Patient and Population based clinical

applications– Patient and Population based administrative

applications– Financially-oriented administrative applications

www.ihs.gov/CIO/RPMS

What is RPMS?What is RPMS?

VistA and RPMSVistA and RPMS

• Common programming/database architecture (M/Cache)

• Applications shared by VHA and IHS• Many developed for use in VHA and adapted for

IHS• Others developed for use in IHS, some adopted by

VHA• RPMS focused around Visit data contained in

Patient Care Component (PCC)• IHS uses HRN instead of SSN

• Common programming/database architecture (M/Cache)

• Applications shared by VHA and IHS• Many developed for use in VHA and adapted for

IHS• Others developed for use in IHS, some adopted by

VHA• RPMS focused around Visit data contained in

Patient Care Component (PCC)• IHS uses HRN instead of SSN

IHS is not VHAIHS is not VHA

• Cradle to grave care– Pediatrics– Prenatal and obstetrical care

• Smaller facilities, more rurally located

• Decentralized administration

• Tribal autonomy

• Community and population-based mission

• Very modest IT staffing & budget

• Cradle to grave care– Pediatrics– Prenatal and obstetrical care

• Smaller facilities, more rurally located

• Decentralized administration

• Tribal autonomy

• Community and population-based mission

• Very modest IT staffing & budget

RPMS Integrates MultipleClinical Systems

RPMS Integrates MultipleClinical Systems

The EHR Challenge for IHSThe EHR Challenge for IHS

• Produce or acquire an Electronic Health Record system that:– Meets clinical and business needs of both

Tribally and Federally operated facilities– Is scalable to the needs of facilities ranging

from small rural clinics to medium-sized hospitals

– Is affordable to facilities with no resource cushion or ability to borrow

– Is sustainable into the future

• Produce or acquire an Electronic Health Record system that:– Meets clinical and business needs of both

Tribally and Federally operated facilities– Is scalable to the needs of facilities ranging

from small rural clinics to medium-sized hospitals

– Is affordable to facilities with no resource cushion or ability to borrow

– Is sustainable into the future

RPMS – Elements of an EHR for over 20 Years

RPMS – Elements of an EHR for over 20 Years

Existing elements– Registration– Scheduling– Pharmacy– Radiology– Laboratory– Immunizations– Reminders (passive)– Problem List– Health Summary– Other PCC functions– Billing– More . . .

Existing elements– Registration– Scheduling– Pharmacy– Radiology– Laboratory– Immunizations– Reminders (passive)– Problem List– Health Summary– Other PCC functions– Billing– More . . .

Lacking elements– Provider order entry– Note authoring– Point of care data entry– GUI usability– Active reminders &

notifications

Lacking elements– Provider order entry– Note authoring– Point of care data entry– GUI usability– Active reminders &

notifications

RPMS Electronic Health RecordRPMS Electronic Health Record• Graphical User Interface to RPMS

– User-friendly and intuitive access to RPMS database for clinicians and other staff

– Componentized to allow incorporation of CPRS functionality as well as new capabilities developed within IHS

– Proprietary “framework” for presentation of various GUI components

• Graphical User Interface to RPMS– User-friendly and intuitive access to RPMS

database for clinicians and other staff

– Componentized to allow incorporation of CPRS functionality as well as new capabilities developed within IHS

– Proprietary “framework” for presentation of various GUI components

The EHR Componentized Framework

The EHR Componentized Framework

The EHR Componentized Framework

The EHR Componentized Framework

The EHR Componentized Framework

The EHR Componentized Framework

• VueCentric Design Mode– Build visual

templates from available components, arranging them on tabs or panes in an orientation consistent with the user’s workflow

• VueCentric Design Mode– Build visual

templates from available components, arranging them on tabs or panes in an orientation consistent with the user’s workflow

• VueCentric Layout Manager– Allows customization

of visual user template– Orientation via tabs,

tree views, splitter panes, etc.

– Click and drag to modify layout

– Addition of color & style enhancements

– Layout according to user’s business flow

• VueCentric Layout Manager– Allows customization

of visual user template– Orientation via tabs,

tree views, splitter panes, etc.

– Click and drag to modify layout

– Addition of color & style enhancements

– Layout according to user’s business flow

RPMS EHR Commonalities with CPRS

RPMS EHR Commonalities with CPRS

• Notifications• Text Integration Utility – note author• Reminders application

– IHS-specific national reminders

• Consults application– RPMS has separate referred care application

• Order Entry, Lab, Radiology, Pharmacy– Numerous IHS customizations esp with

medication management

• Notifications• Text Integration Utility – note author• Reminders application

– IHS-specific national reminders

• Consults application– RPMS has separate referred care application

• Order Entry, Lab, Radiology, Pharmacy– Numerous IHS customizations esp with

medication management

IHS-Specific EHR ComponentsIHS-Specific EHR Components

• Medication management interface

• Immunizations

• Patient Education

• Problem List

• Diagnosis entry and coding

• Superbills and CPT coding

• Numerous others

• Medication management interface

• Immunizations

• Patient Education

• Problem List

• Diagnosis entry and coding

• Superbills and CPT coding

• Numerous others

Other RPMS CapabilitiesOther RPMS Capabilities

• Powerful Database Query Tools• State Immunization Data Exchange• Reference Lab Interface• Support for pediatric care• Support for women’s health & prenatal• Behavioral Health applications• Multiple Case Management applications• iCare Population Management GUI• Clinical Reporting System – performance

measure application (specific to IHS)

• Powerful Database Query Tools• State Immunization Data Exchange• Reference Lab Interface• Support for pediatric care• Support for women’s health & prenatal• Behavioral Health applications• Multiple Case Management applications• iCare Population Management GUI• Clinical Reporting System – performance

measure application (specific to IHS)

Immunization Data ExchangeImmunization Data Exchange

• IHS and Tribes share many patients with private sector– Shot records are often incomplete due to

patient mobility– Risk for under- and over-immunization

• Data exchange system for pediatric immunizations developed– HL-7 data files exported to and imported from

State immunization registries

• IHS and Tribes share many patients with private sector– Shot records are often incomplete due to

patient mobility– Risk for under- and over-immunization

• Data exchange system for pediatric immunizations developed– HL-7 data files exported to and imported from

State immunization registries

Reference Lab InterfaceReference Lab Interface

• Released for Laboratory v5.2 (IHS patch 1021)

• Uni- or Bi-directional interface with contracted reference laboratories– Unidirectional receives lab results into PCC– Bidirectional sends orders to reference lab

and receives results into lab package (EHR)

• Implementation is fairly labor-intensive

• Released for Laboratory v5.2 (IHS patch 1021)

• Uni- or Bi-directional interface with contracted reference laboratories– Unidirectional receives lab results into PCC– Bidirectional sends orders to reference lab

and receives results into lab package (EHR)

• Implementation is fairly labor-intensive

Well Child CareWell Child Care• CDC Growth Charts – in PCC+ and EHR GUI• Infant birthweight & feeding choices• Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)

– Age-specific screening in 5 dimensions– Print form, record score in EHR or PCC– Guidance for abnormal screens

• Well Child Knowledgebase– Thousands of age-specific reminders, education,

developmental & medical screening, etc.– Nationally deployed set with local management

• Additional screening tools (DDST milestones)

• CDC Growth Charts – in PCC+ and EHR GUI• Infant birthweight & feeding choices• Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)

– Age-specific screening in 5 dimensions– Print form, record score in EHR or PCC– Guidance for abnormal screens

• Well Child Knowledgebase– Thousands of age-specific reminders, education,

developmental & medical screening, etc.– Nationally deployed set with local management

• Additional screening tools (DDST milestones)

Prenatal Care (in development)Prenatal Care (in development)

• Data collection and entry for:– First Prenatal Visit– Interim Prenatal Visits– Postpartum Visit

• Over 600 data points• Flowchart presentation where appropriate• Data carries over to future pregnancies• Multiple GUI components planned• Flowchart infrastructure extensible to other

types of data

• Data collection and entry for:– First Prenatal Visit– Interim Prenatal Visits– Postpartum Visit

• Over 600 data points• Flowchart presentation where appropriate• Data carries over to future pregnancies• Multiple GUI components planned• Flowchart infrastructure extensible to other

types of data

RPMS Behavioral Health SystemRPMS Behavioral Health System

• First complete electronic record in IHS (1990s)

• Graphical (GUI) version released 2003• Widely deployed throughout I/T/U system

– >250 sites

• Designed for A/SA, MH, and SW providers

• Integrated with RPMS medical information• Supports 3rd party billing for BH services

• First complete electronic record in IHS (1990s)

• Graphical (GUI) version released 2003• Widely deployed throughout I/T/U system

– >250 sites

• Designed for A/SA, MH, and SW providers

• Integrated with RPMS medical information• Supports 3rd party billing for BH services

RPMS Behavioral Health SystemRPMS Behavioral Health System

• Ability to document:– 1:1 patient encounters– Group encounters– Patient Education, Health Factors and screening

(depression, EtOH, DV)– Treatment Plans and Treatment Plan reviews– Case Management Information – Incidents of Suicide/Suicidal Behavior                 

• Ability to document:– 1:1 patient encounters– Group encounters– Patient Education, Health Factors and screening

(depression, EtOH, DV)– Treatment Plans and Treatment Plan reviews– Case Management Information – Incidents of Suicide/Suicidal Behavior                 

BH GUI ScreenshotBH GUI Screenshot

IBH ScreenshotIBH Screenshot

SRF ScreenshotSRF Screenshot

RPMS Case Management Applications

RPMS Case Management Applications

• Registry-based systems with reminders, performance indicators, and population-based reporting

• Immunizations• Diabetes Management System• Asthma Management System• Women’s Health• HIV Management System• Population Management (iCare)

• Registry-based systems with reminders, performance indicators, and population-based reporting

• Immunizations• Diabetes Management System• Asthma Management System• Women’s Health• HIV Management System• Population Management (iCare)

iCare Population Management GUI

iCare Population Management GUI

• Graphical interface for a fully integrated case management system

• Decision support and patient management for multiple chronic conditions

• Nationally defined preventive and disease-specific healthcare reminders

• Customizable patient panels• Quick performance views using CRS/GPRA

logic for any patient or group of patients• Plan to incorporate current and future disease-

specific register systems (DM, Asthma, HIV/STD, CVD, WH, etc.)

• Graphical interface for a fully integrated case management system

• Decision support and patient management for multiple chronic conditions

• Nationally defined preventive and disease-specific healthcare reminders

• Customizable patient panels• Quick performance views using CRS/GPRA

logic for any patient or group of patients• Plan to incorporate current and future disease-

specific register systems (DM, Asthma, HIV/STD, CVD, WH, etc.)

iCare provides the ability to create multiple, predefined and easy-to-define patient panels. Panels are customizable and unique to the individual user.

A Panel’s Patient ListA Panel’s Patient List

Modifying PanelsModifying PanelsModifying PanelsModifying Panels

Modifications made to individual panels affect that panel only

Users choosewhich columns they’dlike displayed and in what order.

Each panel can have a differentdesign

iCare utilizes logic written for other clinicalapplications to “tag” individuals with pre-defined diagnoses and conditions

““Tags”Tags”““Tags”Tags”

iCare displays patient “flags” related to •Abnormal labs •Hospitalizations •ER visits •Unanticipated ER returns

““Flags”Flags”““Flags”Flags”

Individual “GPRA” ViewIndividual “GPRA” ViewIndividual “GPRA” ViewIndividual “GPRA” View

User’s select which GPRA measures they’d like to view and then check to see if the measure is met for any individual patient on the panel.

Aggregated “GPRA” StatisticsAggregated “GPRA” StatisticsAggregated “GPRA” StatisticsAggregated “GPRA” Statistics

iCare uses “official” GPRA report logic on user-defined populations that are not currently available in the Clinical Reporting System (CRS)

Patient RecordPatient RecordPatient RecordPatient Record

iCare pulls all available patient data and displays it in one view

iCare will generate nationally-defined general prevention and disease/condition specific healthcare reminders that are integrated to display most stringent criteria applicable to the patient’s chronic condition(s)

CRS (Clinical Reporting System)

CRS (Clinical Reporting System)

• Automated reporting system for tracking over 300 clinical quality measures, including 22 GPRA measures

• Intended to eliminate the need for manual chart audits

• Available in both GUI and roll-and-scroll versions

• Awarded 2005 Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence in Public Health

• Automated reporting system for tracking over 300 clinical quality measures, including 22 GPRA measures

• Intended to eliminate the need for manual chart audits

• Available in both GUI and roll-and-scroll versions

• Awarded 2005 Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence in Public Health

CRS CRS • Identical logic ensures comparable

performance data across all facilities

• Updated annually to reflect changes in the logic descriptions and to add new measures

• Local facilities have the option of transmitting their data for most CRS reports to their Area Office for Area Aggregate Reports

• Identical logic ensures comparable performance data across all facilities

• Updated annually to reflect changes in the logic descriptions and to add new measures

• Local facilities have the option of transmitting their data for most CRS reports to their Area Office for Area Aggregate Reports

CRS 2007 Clinical MeasuresCRS 2007 Clinical Measures• 22 GPRA treatment and prevention measures• 23 other key clinical performance measure

topics. Examples:– Diabetes Comprehensive Care– Osteoporosis Screening– Comprehensive CVD-Related Assessment

• 22 HEDIS measure topics• 26 Elder Care measure topics (patients 55+)• 17 CMS (hospital) measures

• 22 GPRA treatment and prevention measures• 23 other key clinical performance measure

topics. Examples:– Diabetes Comprehensive Care– Osteoporosis Screening– Comprehensive CVD-Related Assessment

• 22 HEDIS measure topics• 26 Elder Care measure topics (patients 55+)• 17 CMS (hospital) measures

Sample Performance SummarySample Performance Summary

Quality Measurement in IHSQuality Measurement in IHS

• Sequist, et al. “Information Technology as a Tool to Improve the Quality of American Indian Health Care”, AJPH 95:12, Dec 2005

• http://www.ihs.gov/cio/crs/crs_performance_improvement_toolbox.asp

• http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/PlanningEvaluation/pe-gpra.asp

• http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/BudgetFormulation/bf_cong_justifications.asp (see 2008 pp 202ff)

• Sequist, et al. “Information Technology as a Tool to Improve the Quality of American Indian Health Care”, AJPH 95:12, Dec 2005

• http://www.ihs.gov/cio/crs/crs_performance_improvement_toolbox.asp

• http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/PlanningEvaluation/pe-gpra.asp

• http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/BudgetFormulation/bf_cong_justifications.asp (see 2008 pp 202ff)

Advantages of RPMSAdvantages of RPMS

• Software is GOTS – public domain - mostly• Flexible implementation (minimal to full)• Accommodates paper or electronic

documentation• Robust database with many standard reports

and powerful queries• Supports population health mission• Occupational Health module pending• Can use local or remote database

• Software is GOTS – public domain - mostly• Flexible implementation (minimal to full)• Accommodates paper or electronic

documentation• Robust database with many standard reports

and powerful queries• Supports population health mission• Occupational Health module pending• Can use local or remote database

Disadvantages of RPMSDisadvantages of RPMS

• Does not come with any support• Setup and maintenance of multiple

packages can be challenging• Not web based or enabled• EHR GUI requires separate

contract/license• EHR GUI requires setup of ancillary

packages (pharmacy, lab, radiology) that may not be used

• Does not come with any support• Setup and maintenance of multiple

packages can be challenging• Not web based or enabled• EHR GUI requires separate

contract/license• EHR GUI requires setup of ancillary

packages (pharmacy, lab, radiology) that may not be used

DiscussionDiscussion