In this Clinical Dashboard Series interview, Skilled Nursing News chats with Rhonda Dempsey, Chief Nursing Officer at Trilogy Health Services. With over 30 years of health care experience, Dempsey offers her expertise around the ideal clinical dashboard — including an emphasis on enhanced communication, increasing valuable care for patients and more.
What are the three most important data points that you would want to see each day on your ideal clinical dashboard and why?
I look at this distinctly for positions held. For example: whether a Director of Health Services had any incidents that occurred in the last 24 hours, the current Per Patient Day (PPD) on each unit, and any issues with weight or skin that needs to be addressed.
Our divisional staff identifies this data, other measurable data from the CMS, and quality identified metrics on the campus. As a clinical leader, I want to see all the data that we are measured on while also having built in predictive analytics. This ensures that we’ve taken all the necessary steps towards achieving our goals.
How would the ideal clinical dashboard drive patient care decisions?
One that guarantees clear, concise clinical data while helping the team make on time decisions that prevents adverse outcomes.
How would the ideal clinical dashboard help optimize reimbursement?
Our clinical dashboard has a scrubber system that ensures that we didn’t miss capturing accurate data, ensuring that everyone is paid for the care they provide.
How can the clinical dashboard improve staffing efficiency?
By determining the acuity of your current population and estimating the needed staff to effectively meet the needs of your residents.
Besides yourself, what are the most important roles in your organization to also have access to the clinical dashboard?
Everyone who impacts resident care from a management perspective should have access to the dashboard. This includes not just clinical – but the operators as well. To truly make an impact, we must work collaboratively as a team.
What would you do to improve the collection of patient health data?
To have accurate data, all of our different systems have to be talking to each other as needed. The biggest obstacle is receiving timely documentation from hospitals to our campuses, as well as ensuring that we have all the necessary information. The electronic record systems that hospitals utilize don’t allow for easy access – and there are some that we’re still waiting on. We only receive the information sent to us from case managers, but this may not be the whole record needed.
Can the ideal clinical dashboard help with value-based care?
Many of our clinical dashboards do many of the things that I’ve just mentioned – and we continue to update and streamline them. It’s very important to have a dashboard that reflects accurate data from clear sources. Once you have that, not only do you have the capability to manage quality in real time, but you also have the predictive model needed for value-based care.
Can the clinical dashboard improve care denials from managed care?
Absolutely! If developed correctly, we can use the dashboard to show care being delivered and the needs of residents to extend their stay. This ensures our residents transfer safely to the next level of care.
