The new RBS tool:
make data reporting easier & generate revenue
WCHQ has continually strived to make member data reporting requirements as straightforward and unobtrusive as possible while always maintaining the integrity of the data and providing value to our members. The introduction of the Repository Based Submission (RBS) data reporting tool takes that effort to a new level.

Initially developed to support WCHQ as an approved registry for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) program through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the RBS data reporting tool worked so well that our board of directors decided to make it available for all WCHQ reporting needs. By allowing multiple, global patient-level files to be submitted directly by members for processing into aggregate data for publication, WCHQ has now significantly simplified the reporting requirements and accrued many benefits for our member organizations. Specifically, members benefit from:

• Decreasing the amount of time their information technology staff spend programming systems to query and aggregate data
• Eliminating the need for information technology staff to reprogram systems when performance measures are updated to reflect changes in clinical guidelines and recommendations
• Acquiring new tools that support clinical quality improvement efforts such as physician-level performance reports that can be created as needed and worksheets to identify medical charts for internal reviews and audit purposes
• Meeting the requirements of submitting patient level data for federal reporting purposes, such as the CMS PQRI financial incentive for physicians, practitioners and therapists

The organizations that have adopted the RBS tool have reported very positive experiences using it. Those using the tool to participate in the PQRI financial incentive program have been impressed with the revenue they’ve generated through their quality management departments.

Jo Ann Kranig, RHIT, clinical data specialist at Gundersen Lutheran Health System has experienced firsthand the benefits of using the RBS data reporting tool. Initially adopting RBS to participate in the PQRI initiative, Gundersen Lutheran now uses the system for all its WCHQ data reporting.

“At first, I was very doubtful the RBS tool would work,” said Kranig. “But, I have been extremely impressed with the tremendous amount of time the RBS tool saves me. We upload our files and WCHQ runs the data. It’s as simple as that. There was some upfront work, but now I really don’t need to be that involved. The biggest benefit for me is time saved, allowing me to focus on additional high priority projects for Gundersen Lutheran,” added Kranig.

We strongly encourage our member organizations to learn more about the RBS tool and understand the benefits it provides. Please contact Kathy Werner at 608-826-6840 or at kwerner@wchq.org for more information.

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