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The Center is Planning Enhancements for its Volume Statistics Data Program

The Center for Health Affairs’ Volume Statistics data program is gearing up for exciting new developments. The program, which has been in existence for many years and operating continuously since 2002, provides Northeast Ohio hospital members with valuable data on hospital utilization activity.

Under the program, The Center collects 40 hospital-specific patient care utilization metrics, nearly double the number of metrics originally collected and seeing increasing growth. The metrics are submitted by members on a monthly basis and aggregated to create reports containing a total of 118 indicators. Through these reports members gain important insights to support their strategic planning and decision making.

In January, The Center brought on board Cynthia Schwartz, MLIS, as its new senior healthcare data analyst to take the helm of the Volume Statistics data program. In this role, Schwartz is working to leverage this key program to generate even more value for members. She conducted a series of site visits earlier this year with participating hospitals to understand members’ data and analytic needs, and to drive efforts in supporting those needs through the program. Overwhelmingly, she heard members value the program and there is an appetite for augmenting the data it encompasses.

In mid-July, Schwartz will convene the Volume Statistics Advisory Committee to make some determinations about next steps for the program. The ultimate goal is to develop and finalize by year-end a strategic plan for Volume Statistics beginning in 2020. Elements would potentially include the addition of new metrics and altering data definitions to make them consistent with other data sources.

Schwartz has already been working behind the scenes to develop some new tools and processes to support the program. In May, a new template was rolled out for distribution of the report to users. This will allow for improved analysis of the report’s use by members, which will help shape the program moving forward. In addition, new data analytic tools are being developed to enable members to make their data work for them in more meaningful ways, and communication processes are being created that will encourage wider knowledge of regional healthcare market activity and promote better internal member engagement.

The underlying goal of Schwartz’s efforts is to ensure Volume Statics remains a valued resource for members as they seek to more precisely navigate the healthcare market and to make better informed business decisions for their organizations.

MORE: For more about The Center’s Volume Statistics data program, contact us.

TWEETABLE: Cynthia Schwartz is working with #NEOhio hospital members to enhance the @neohospitals Volume Statistics data program.