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Ophthalmic clinical registry would enhance compliance, outcomes and revenues
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SAN FRANCISCO — An ophthalmic clinical registry would help ophthalmologists improve outcomes, comply with government regulations and boost revenues, according to a speaker.
At the American Glaucoma Society annual meeting, William L. Rich III, MD, the medical director of health policy for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, outlined the form, function and potential benefits of registries.
A registry would help ophthalmology take the lead in meeting myriad challenges in health care, Rich said.
William L. Rich III
“We’re facing very challenging times in health care in the United States today. I believe that ophthalmology has an opportunity to not only be part of the solution to these challenges but also to be an example to the health professions moving forward. I think we can do it,” he said.
An AAO mission statement calls for a registry that captures essential data while exerting a minimal impact on office workflow.
A registry would help members set benchmarks for quality improvement, meet certification and licensure requirements, receive financial compensation, avoid payment penalties and attest to meaningful use of electronic health records, a key requirement for federal financial incentives.
Challenges to creating a registry include a need for meaningful outcome measures, assessing the impact on workflow, a need for national patient identifiers and the incorporation of office-based testing data, a key issue in glaucoma.
Currently, not all diagnostic equipment is compatible with Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards, Rich said.
“It doesn’t make any sense to upgrade or buy a new piece of office equipment that is not DICOM-ready for EHR/registry interface,” he said.
Enrollment in the first registry is scheduled to start in the fall; the goal is to have 2,200 practices enrolled by 2015, Rich said.
Disclosure: Rich has no relevant financial disclosures.