Vascular Quality Initiative® now includes 300 Centers on M2S PATHWAYS platform

The Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI®) now includes over 300 participating centers dedicated to quality improvement across 45 states and Canada.
Chicago, IL and West Lebanon, NH Oct 27, 2013 – The Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI®), governed by the Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization (SVS PSO), and designed to improve the quality of vascular healthcare, has reached a milestone with 300 participating centers. The VQI is a collaborative between the Society for Vascular Surgery® Patient Safety Organization (SVS PSO), the American Venous Forum (AVF), and the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM) and M2S, Inc.
Through regional and national benchmarking, the SVS PSO uses data for quality improvement, collected through the M2S PATHWAYS platform, to assist physicians and data managers to better understand clinical outcomes and follow up at a unique level of detail. Participating physicians have captured over 175,000 cases across 11 different vascular procedures. The VQI is now in 45 states, includes over 2300 physicians and represents almost 21% of all centers that provide vascular interventions in the United States.
Dr. Larry Kraiss, Chair of SVS PSO Governing Council for VQI, comments, “This is a remarkable milestone for the VQI which started in 2011. The rapid enrollment in VQI by the vascular community is gratifying because it confirms an existing broad and deep commitment to quality outcomes that we always knew to be present among our colleagues. Even more exciting are the prospects for quality initiatives that are only possible because we are organized around a common data platform that allows us to develop and monitor very concrete action plans that will provide useful information for evidence-based patient management on a daily basis. “
The regional quality groups of the VQI are fundamental for driving quality initiatives at the local level that reduce length of stay, readmissions, and complications. In addition to improving quality within hospitals, the VQI supports vascular research and works with device companies to support post-market device surveillance projects.
Greg Lange, President and CEO of M2S, adds “The VQI continues to increase its value to providers, hospitals and industry through expanded reporting and analytics, improved support for hospital quality improvement initiatives and innovative partnerships with the FDA and
Industry. Surpassing 300 centers is a major milestone which reflects the strong commitment to quality improvement and cost containment within the vascular community.”
In the latest developments, the SVS PSO and M2S are pioneering the use of VQI data for post- approval surveillance in vascular surgery in place of the traditional recruitment of sites by medical device companies. This approach allows for faster and less expensive recruitment of sites, and is strongly encouraged by the FDA.
The newest registry, focusing on the treatment of Varicose Veins, will be released in December 2014. For more information on the Vascular Quality Initiative, please go to www.vascularqualityinitiative.org

NVQI™ launches module for Acute Ischemic Stroke

The NeuroVascular Quality Initiative™ (NVQI™) Launches First Procedure Module: Acute Ischemic Stroke
Chicago, IL and West Lebanon, NH Oct 25, 2014 – The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) and M2S announce the launch of the NeuroVascular Quality Initiative™ (NVQI™), a multi-module registry system designed to track performance and outcomes data across a variety of neurovascular conditions. The launch debuts the Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) module, which will be used to track and benchmark clinical performance at the center level and nationally, providing valuable insight into the effectiveness of endovascular interventions and associated devices in treating a condition known to be the nation’s fourth leading cause of death. As of today, NVQI is officially enrolling hospitals and specialists in the AIS module.
As neurointerventional procedures (minimally invasive techniques designed to treat endovascular conditions of the brain and spine), have changed the treatment landscape over the past two decades and offered thousands of patients quality treatment alternatives to traditional medical approaches, NVQI is designed to track the success of these procedures, as well as demonstrate areas for improvement. Specifically, NVQI will collect detailed data on:
• Patient demographics including age, weight/height, and co-morbidities
• Patient history including pre-op medications, pre-stroke status and key time metrics associated to patient arrival and imaging
• Procedure details including treatments and devices used and medications given
• Follow-up including 14 day, 30 day, month and 1 year follow up
NVQI will be governed by the SNIS Patient Safety Organization (SNIS PSO), which oversees the data sharing arrangements and patient safety initiatives conducted within the NVQI. The importance of the PSO structure is that it protects all comparative analyses generated within the PSO from legal discovery in state and federal court. Furthermore, it permits the collection of patient identified data for quality improvement purposes without requiring consent from individual patients or prior approval from an Institutional Review Board.
“By encouraging the collection, aggregation, benchmarking, and analysis of clinical data, NVQI will assist SNIS members in understanding and improving patient outcomes in a safe environment. NVQI will also permit tracking of new devices and device efficacy in a real world setting which is a critical need within this evolving field,” said Peter Rasmussen, MD, Medical Director of SNIS PSO.
Gregory Lange, CEO of M2S, adds, “The NVQI Registry, supported by the M2S PATHWAYS platform, can provide, for the first time, both the breadth and depth of real time clinical data to assist hospitals and quality departments, as well as physicians, improve care for stroke patients.
Looking forward, the SNIS PSO is already planning its next-stage launch of two modules dedicated to cerebral aneurysms and cerebral arteriovenous malformations, scheduled for later this year. Additional considerations for modules include diagnostic angiography and spinal disease.
SNIS PSO has chosen M2S as the technology vendor to host the NVQI. All data will be securely stored within the M2S PATHWAYS quality improvement data platform. M2S specializes in cloud-based quality improvement registries for data collection and reporting, offering several unique features designed to maximize reporting as well as ease of use by specialists enrolled in registries hosted on M2S PATHWAYS.

CareCloud Partners with Precyse for Physician Office ICD-10 Education

Company offers providers comprehensive ICD-10 training
Wayne, PA and Alpharetta, GA Oct 23, 2014 — CareCloud, the leading provider of cloud-based practice management, electronic health records (EHR), and medical billing software and services, has partnered with Precyse/HealthStream to offer its clients a powerful and unique ICD-10 education program for the physician office/ambulatory market. Precyse and HealthStream have teamed together to offer a unique and comprehensive ICD-10 education solution that is delivered exclusively through HealthStream’s workforce development platform. CareClouds thousands of medical provider clients in 48 states will join the more than 1.6 million learners already using the Precyse University ICD-10 education solution. CareCloud has offered clients leveraging its cloud-based platform access to the following revolutionary benefits and features of the Precyse University Physician Office ICD-10 Education Solution:
• A single solution for all ICD-10 education needs within a practice or clinic;
• Diversified education providing each impacted population with the specific tools and training needed to be successful in ICD-10;
• Myriad of advanced courseware, applications and tools to make education more practical, accessible and relevant to physicians’ concerns, needs and time constraints; and
• Exclusive access to Precyse University’s expansive, one-of-a-kind ICD-10 education program.
“With the ICD-10 transition just months away, we understand that many providers are still concerned about being prepared to make the switch,” explains, Kathleen Thompson, Senior Director of Product Management for CareCloud. “Through our partnership with Precyse/HealthStream, our clients will receive a comprehensive solution for successful migration to ICD-10 in their coding and clinical care workflows, while realizing the benefits of sustained reimbursement levels, improved outcome indicators and fewer claim denials.”
Precyse and HealthStream have partnered to offer a one-stop solution for all of the ICD-10 education needs within physician practices, clinics, and other ambulatory settings. With Precyse’s innovative ICD-10 education programs and HealthStream’s market leading platform for workforce development, healthcare providers have made the ICD-10 solution from Precyse and HealthStream the healthcare industry’s top choice.
“The Precyse University ICD-10 Physician Office Solution is built to fully prepare physicians and all members of their offices and/or clinics for the new world of ICD-10,” explains Thomas Ormondroyd, vice president and general manager of Precyse Learning Solutions. “Although ICD-10 seems daunting and burdensome, it actually offers tremendous opportunity to optimize reimbursement, minimize denials and appeals and improve clinical care through more valuable and detailed data. Our solution is designed to ease the change to ICD-10 and have physicians and their staffs ready for its arrival.”
Unlike its competitors, the Precyse University solution is fully built and tested with more than 300 courses, applications and tools specifically for physicians’ needs. In addition, most courses are mobileready for use on a computer, iPad® or mobile device to make education available anywhere and at any time. Innovative tools and resources such as video games, labs, simulators and animations are available as well.

Recent Acquisition of Global Response Further Expands IMGs Global Footprint into Europe

Indianapolis, IN Oct 20, 2014 – Indianapolis-based, International Medical Group®, Inc. (IMG®) is further expanding its global footprint with a recent acquisition of Wales based company, Global Response Ltd.
With over 70 years of senior management expertise, Global Response provides emergency medical assistance and logistical support to travel insurance policy holders and corporate clients who become sick or injured while traveling overseas. “Global Response is one of the most innovative medical assistance providers in the world,” said R. Brian Barwick, President and CEO of IMG. “The expansion of our 24/7 emergency assistance and claims handling services will further strengthen IMG’s full service approach to being there for our members, wherever they are in the world.”
Since 1999, Global Response has been providing medical assistance on a global scale to leisure, corporate, and NGO members. As an independent, 24/7 assistance and claims company, Global Response caters to a diverse range of insurers and brokers within the U.K. travel market. Global Response was awarded the prestigious International Travel Insurance Journal Award for Claims and Assistance Company of the Year, in 2011.
“Global Response has been delivering brilliant, dependable medical assistance on a global scale for more than 15 years,” said Mark Somers, Managing Director of Global Response. “Becoming integrated with IMG’s family of companies will provide us with the resources to expand our global footprint.”
Both companies agree the ultimate goal of this acquisition is to provide support and service, which will overcome language, currency, time, and cultural challenges. “Global Response will retain their independence, but will now have access to IMG resources, including our significant in-house case management and cost containment expertise, as well as our buying power within the U.S. healthcare system,” finished Barwick.

Quantum Health CEO Kara Trott named 2014 Smart 50 Winnner

Columbus, OH Oct 15, 2014 – The Oswald Companies and Smart Business have named Kara Trott, founder and chief executive officer of Quantum Health, a recipient of the 2014 Smart 50 Award – an award recognizing the 50 top executives of the smartest companies in central Ohio. The award was presented at an event in Columbus on October 14.
Throughout her career, Trott has had success designing and executing research-based consumer intercept strategies for major consumer brands like Citibank, Ford, Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola. She brought this same expertise to healthcare in the late 1990s.
In 1999, Trott founded Quantum Health – the first company in the healthcare industry to apply consumer behavior mapping strategies. Using proprietary research, Quantum Health established a best-in-class model for consumer care coordination and navigation based on how people experience their healthcare journey, what they need and how best to connect with them.
As part of a self-funded company’s healthcare benefits plan, Quantum Health offers a single-point-of-contact connecting employees to a multidisciplinary team using Real-Time Intercept™ to proactively address their needs and concerns throughout their healthcare journey. Quantum Health has had average membership growth of 40% in the last four years, with 53% of clients lowering their healthcare costs in Year 1 over the prior year, and an overall membership satisfaction rate of 94%.
“I’m honored to be among the Smart 50 this year,” Trott said. “This is an exciting time for Quantum Health, and it’s wonderful to have our team and business model recognized in this way.”

Precyse Earns High Marks in KLAS CDI Report

Precyse ranked number one for firms offering both CDI and CAC solutions
Wayne, PA and Alpharetta, GA Oct 15, 2014 — Precyse, an industry leader in Health Information Management (HIM) performance solutions, is pleased to announce Precyse’s Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) services received high scores in a recent KLAS report, titled “CDI Services 2014: Providing Light to Documentation Darkness.” Overall Precyse ranked the highest among firms that offer both Computer-Assisted Coding (CAC) and CDI solutions, and scored well above the market average for CDI Training and CDI Software/Tools categories.
Many providers interviewed prefer a CDI vendor who also provides a CAC solution, which is in line with Precyse’s current day offering of a single, integrated CDI and CAC technology solution, plus enabling services, to enhance data access and communication among coders, CDI specialists, and clinicians. One Precyse client explained, “One thing I liked about Precyse, when we looked around, was that their CDI and computer-assisted coding tools were on the same platform. I felt that would be very important for the synergy between the coders and the people doing the documentation.”
The role of CDI continues to evolve, driven by a focus on reimbursement, quality care and Value Based Purchasing reporting. Precyse incorporates people, processes and technology to provide the specificity of documentation that is required by ICD-9-CM, eases the transition to ICD-10, and supports Meaningful Use and other quality care initiatives. Organizations that improve clinical documentation by investing in CDI programs with training and process improvements that build a strong foundation and support best practices stand to gain significant improvements today and will be prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
Other areas praised by clients in the report include Precyse University education software, training, peer-to-peer education and overall ICD-10 preparedness. As one client explained, “Precyse has done a good job with ICD-10 preparedness. They gave us some clues as to how CDI would impact us in the ICD-10 world, and they helped convert all of our queries into ICD-10-compliant language with the level of detail we needed.” In the report most clients touted Precyse’s, “breadth of resources and strength of their clinician support.”
Chris Powell, CEO of Precyse, stated, “Our emphasis on fully understanding our client’s current challenges and business processes, and then applying the wide breadth of our portfolio – targeted education, leading practices consulting, and integrated, enabling technology – is helping our customers succeed through a very challenging time in the history of healthcare.”

Oasis Outsourcing Launches Client-Paid ID Theft Product

West Palm Beach, FL Oct 13, 2014 – Oasis Outsourcing, one of the nation’s largest Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), has launched a client-paid identity theft product (ID Commander) through its Oasis Power Buys program. This benefit gives clients the ability to provide identity theft protection to their employees at 60% less than what an employee would pay individually.
“The collection of Oasis Power Buys products have been well-received by our client employees who have made individual purchases,” said Ruth Cyrus, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Oasis Outsourcing. “Since identity theft is not only one of the fasting growing crimes, but also one that requires a substantial time investment (frequently during work hours), the client-paid ID Commander offering provides a return on investment to our clients. Providing identity theft protection for employees is perceived as a value-added benefit by employees and allows them to remain focused on their jobs while professionals do the legwork required should a breach occur.”
The Oasis Power Buys program encompasses a group of need-based products designed to provide employees with peace of mind at prices far below market value. Employees can elect the products online and conveniently pay through payroll deduction. Products include identity theft protection, credit monitoring, roadside assistance, technology support and more.

Quantum Health Appoints Shannon Skaggs as Chief Operating Officer

Columbus, OH Oct 7, 2014 – Quantum Health, the leading consumer care coordination and navigation company, today announced that it has appointed Shannon Skaggs to the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Skaggs, who brings a decade of experience in the unique care coordination and navigation space, will manage the operational strategy and the refinement of the Quantum Health model.
“Shannon is a seasoned expert in the healthcare innovation and product development space, and that expertise has made him a valuable asset to Quantum Health for the past decade,” said Kara Trott, founder and chief executive officer, Quantum Health. “Shannon’s appointment is a direct reflection of our growth and our focus on the future. We’re very excited to have him in this new role.”
Skaggs will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of all care coordination programs, as well as managing all of the organization’s information technology and marketing communications efforts. In his new role he will also refine the operational strategy and implement new programmatic strategic initiatives.
Over the past several years, Skaggs has served as the vice president of product development, providing oversight and critical expertise to the organization as it engaged in a rapid growth period. Prior to his time in that role, Skaggs served in a number of other leadership roles within the organization, including time as the director of account services and the vice president of the client development group. Shannon’s background prior to joining Quantum Health was in information technology and user design.

Quantum Health Appoints Shannon Skaggs as Chief Operating Officer

Columbus, OH Oct 7, 2014 – Quantum Health, the leading consumer care coordination and navigation company, today announced that it has appointed Shannon Skaggs to the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Skaggs, who brings a decade of experience in the unique care coordination and navigation space, will manage the operational strategy and the refinement of the Quantum Health model.
“Shannon is a seasoned expert in the healthcare innovation and product development space, and that expertise has made him a valuable asset to Quantum Health for the past decade,” said Kara Trott, founder and chief executive officer, Quantum Health. “Shannon’s appointment is a direct reflection of our growth and our focus on the future. We’re very excited to have him in this new role.”
Skaggs will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of all care coordination programs, as well as managing all of the organization’s information technology and marketing communications efforts. In his new role he will also refine the operational strategy and implement new programmatic strategic initiatives.
Over the past several years, Skaggs has served as the vice president of product development, providing oversight and critical expertise to the organization as it engaged in a rapid growth period. Prior to his time in that role, Skaggs served in a number of other leadership roles within the organization, including time as the director of account services and the vice president of the client development group. Shannon’s background prior to joining Quantum Health was in information technology and user design.