Grace Award Recipient Emphasizes Data Analytics in Improving Patient Care

By Daisy Franco

Health information management (HIM) professionals at Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), Eastern Wisconsin Division, analyzed patient population data to inform practices in their four healthcare facilities, which resulted in improved patient care. The HSHS eastern division includes four hospitals: St. Vincent Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, and St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. They were honored as AHIMA’s 2019 Grace Award recipient during Tuesday’s Appreciation Celebration at Navy Pier.

The Grace Award is named after AHIMA’s founder, Grace Whiting Myers. AHIMA continues the annual recognition of the Grace Award to honor healthcare delivery organizations for their innovative approaches.

HSHS analyzed patient demographic and population information and diagnoses to determine how to best accommodate patient population needs. They used data to support the decision to open a wound clinic, increase the number of intensive care unit (ICU) rooms, increase X-ray capacity, open an intermediate care unit, update the ICU, and expand surgical services to include up-to-date technology and telemedicine implementation.

The division implemented an electronic query process that allows physicians to answer questions directly, which helped reduce physician queries for procedure documentation by 90 percent for patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacements. They also developed a mortality chart review process that reduced the observed-to-expected mortality rate.

Additionally, the division is recognized for decreasing denials by 20 percent in six months, saving $50,000 in software expenses due to identified edits, improving their case mix index (CMI) within the last year by increasing benchmark goals by 18 percent, making bedside iPads available for patients and family members, and leading the conversation around including LGBT information in the electronic medical record.

HIM professionals at HSHS led this work by initiating conversations, facilitating interdepartmental groups, serving as resources, and educating colleagues.

“This award exemplifies the commitment our HIM team shows day in and day out, in the spirit of providing our patients the highest quality of care possible as they continue to seek new and innovative ways to use the electronic medical record,” said Therese Pandl, president and CEO, HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division.

AHIMA also recognized Hennepin Healthcare with an honorable mention for accomplishments in seeking growth opportunities to serve as transformational leaders, reporting mortality statistics, and improving CMI.