The Case Management Society of America (CMSA), the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. (ABQAURP) and several co-sponsors are pleased to announce the release of the third bi-annual Health Information Technology (IT) Survey. The primary goal of the survey is to better understand how various health IT applications are impacting the care management field.  The survey is open to case managers and other health care professionals to complete by July 14, 2012.

Interested parties should click here to fill out the survey.

The health care system is undergoing rapid transformation. A major driver of change is the introduction of health IT solutions that cover applications including electronic medical records and care management software solutions.  The survey is co-sponsored by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP), the Case Management Society of America (CMSA), Schooner Healthcare Services (SHS), and TCS Healthcare Technologies (TCS).

“Although the practice of nursing and medicine has been transformed with the advent and adoption of electronics and computers, the application of health IT systems as a tool to support care management is still evolving,” says Cheri Lattimer, RN, BSN, CMSA executive director. “As a result, leveraging technology to improve medical management intervention strategies should remain a high priority in terms of both public health and reduced medical costs. CMSA is pleased to participate in this important study which focuses attention on these important public policy issues.”

“A core objective of the survey is to assess how health information systems are impacting on case management software applications and related IT functions,” notes Rob Pock, TCS founder and CEO.  He adds, “The survey also will examine how applications are being used by patients, providers, payors, care managers, and others to support emerging themes such as transitions of care and social media.”

The 2012 Health IT Survey aims to:

• Review interoperability and integration interfaces;
• Identify existing and future communication links;
• Highlight data reporting and predictive modeling capabilities;
• Spotlight user satisfaction ratings for key software applications;
• Track consumer and provider access to health information;
• Report on emerging transitions of care and readmission prevention programs; and
• Discuss the future impact of health IT systems on the practice of case management.

“One bright spot is that IT systems for care management, providers and other health care settings will continue to evolve to support the latest health care reform requirements,” said Joel V. Brill, MD, AGAF, CHCQM, Member, Board of Directors, ABQAURP. “Well-designed IT systems that integrate care management with provider and payor business and clinical IT platforms, designed to increase efficiency in communications, will have a significant impact on population health management. These features are critically important for accountable care organizations and the patients they serve.”

Garry Carneal, JD, MA, who has served as the primary researcher for the Health IT Survey since 2008, notes “This is the third release of the survey assessing how health IT trends are impacting the practice of case management. In 2008, CMSA and ABQAURP teamed with TCS Healthcare Technologies to coordinate the first in-depth survey to study how information technology applications are changing and enhancing medical management programs.  The organizations reunited to conduct the survey in 2010 and are re-uniting again this year with Schooner Healthcare Services.  Now with several years of trend information, the research team can make longitudinal comparisons of the survey data.” Carneal is the founder of Schooner Healthcare Services and also serves as president and CEO of RadSite.

To participate in the 2012 Health IT Survey, click here.  For a copy of the 2010 Health IT survey, click here.  For more information about the 2012 survey, please contact Alice Sowinski at asowinski@schoonerhealth.com or (443) 440-6044.  All interested parties can receive a copy of the survey findings when they are released.

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About the Co-Sponsors

The American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. (ABQAURP), a non-profit education and certification board, has certified over 9,300 physicians, nurses and other health care professionals in Health Care Quality Management (HCQM) and Patient Safety. Established in 1977, ABQAURP is the nation’s largest organization of interdisciplinary healthcare professionals. ABQAURP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) as a provider of Continuing Medical Education, and by the Florida Board of Nursing as a provider of Nursing Credit. For more information on ABQAURP, call (800) 998-6030 or go to www.abqaurp.org.

Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is the leading non-profit association dedicated to the support and development of the profession of case management. CMSA serves more than 11,000 members, 20,000 subscribers, and 75 chapters through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy and establishing standards to advance the profession. For more information, visit www.cmsa.org or follow CMSA on Twitter @CMSANational.

Schooner Healthcare Services (Schooner) provides a high-octane, personalized approach to getting companies noticed in the marketplace.  With a solid track record of generating dynamic business growth for its clients, Schooner helps develop and implement communication and market strategies.  Schooner also provides education, government relations, operational management and research services. For more information about Schooner, call (410) 280-0025 or visit www.schoonerhealth.com.

TCS Healthcare Technologies (TCS) is a leading provider of software and clinical solutions that support and improve population health management strategies for health plans, insurers, providers, third party administrators, medical management companies, and others. TCS is recognized as one of the premier health care software companies in the United States designing, offering, and hosting a number of products and services. The TCS Acuity Advanced Care® application provides a comprehensive and integrated care management software system for Utilization Management (UM), Case Management (CM), Disease Management (DM), and Prevention/Wellness (PW) services. For more information about TCS, call (530) 886-1700 ext. 211 or go to www.tcshealthcare.com.