Based on the data in their EMR and/or on paper charts integrated Registry users validate pre-populated data and fill in the answers to data which is not populated. Practices that are not integrated or do not provide an alternate data feed must manually enter all required answers.


Follow these steps to enter data in the ACO Registry:

  1. Sort to find the patients with incomplete data. You can sort by patients (rows) or by specific clinical data measures (columns).
  • To sort by patient, select Incomplete Data from the Rows Containing dropdown list.
  • To sort by measure, select Incomplete from the dropdown for the specific clinical domain column
  • Select the patient name and the summary for that patient appears. This shows which clinical domains include the selected patient in the sample and the completeness of the data 
  • Select Edit for the clinical domain you want to update. The first question for that domain appears.
  • Each clinical domain has a series of questions with answer drop-downs. The number of questions for each clinical domain will depend on the answers you select. 
  • Complete all questions for that domain. When all the questions have been answered for a clinical domain, the progress indicator will show 100%.
  • If needed, select the Comments button to record any relevant information for this patient and measure.
  • Select Save. (You can save your answers at any point, if you are interrupted.)


    • Entering Values
    Certain questions require you to enter values, such as lab results. CMS has provided a range of “valid values” for each item and you will not be able to save a value that is outside that range.
    For example, CMS has established a range for Systolic blood pressure of 0 - 350 mm Hg.

    To find out what values are acceptable, hover the cursor over the data entry field. The valid value range displays.
    Additionally, you can enter the actual value. If the value is outside the range established by CMS, an error message displays that gives you the acceptable range. 

    What if the actual value is not accepted?
    For example, if the patient’s latest Systolic reading was 400 mm Hgl you will get an error when you try to enter 400 in the Systolic field. The error will state that the acceptable range for Systolic is between 0 and 350. Enter 350 in the field (the closest value allowed) and add a Comment giving the actual value.


    Entering Dates
    Certain clinical domains require you to enter a date or date range for an item. Most items must fall within the measurement period (For example: Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2016). If you attempt to enter a date that is outside the acceptable range, an error message appears noting the acceptable date range.

    The MRF Domain
    The first column for the clinical domains is labeled "MRF" for Medical Record Found. This domain is handled differently from all the other domains. Clinigence automatically sets the answer to the Medical Record Found for every patient to Yes. If the practice has integrated clinical data, then that item is also automatically approved. These values can be changed if needed by accessing the data collection screen for that measure.
    This was done to save "clicks" whenever possible during the data collection process.

    Comments

    You can enter a comment for a patient or for any clinical domain or measure for a specific patient. Comments are for internal use only and are not included in the file submitted to CMS. A common use for comments is when the actual value of the data item is different from what was entered because of the restriction on the valid values.