2022.02.23 EQRS Program Working Group Meeting

This session will be recorded for the purpose of documenting the meeting minutes and action items. If there are any objections to the recording of this session, please make it known now. Absence of an objection to the meeting being recorded will count as consent to recording this meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/dUNJSmNV6FhjsrJl8f5EY67jruCf7HtXXogv4pNUcc2BHaE_vC6JieNJPbcC6E89.2onlYbP9Hl_3l6Pf Passcode: $4cyQKq8  

2021 Data Submissions Extension update

• The program does not have an update at the time of this meeting
• The decision is still our of the programs hands and with leadership and going through the proper channels to get a decision
• As soon as the program knows something, they will share it as soon as possible

HCP Flu Reporting to NHSN

• Right now the CDC is looking at some training and Todd is working on getting firm dates for the training
• When Todd gets the dates for training, he will send out to the group
• Questions from Nathan
  • The facilities received the communications with the March 26 deadline.  How was the deadline picked if training is still not decided and when it will happen?
  • The CDC has not given the electronic submitters the technical documentation needed
  • Flu season ends March 31st, so any data the EDIs report for this flu season is not actionable by the networks
  • Todd requested that Nathan send the concerns surrounding the HCP Flu reporting to NHSN to him; Todd will be meeting with the CDC on Friday, 2/25 (Action Item)
  • Nathan confirmed the deadline of March 26 is a CMS deadline

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Vitamin D

• Michael will be meeting with CM (Abby and Nick) tomorrow to talk to their contractor to see exactly which fields they have
• Michael and Nancy Carlson have done the environmental clinical and system research to see what we have, what they used to collect and currently don't collect
• Michael will then set up a series of meetings with the EDIs - Vlad, Nathan, Kathleen, Howard and Kelly, etc so it can be determined by April what is needed or not needed and try to standardize, etc
  • The goal is to determine how we can get both CM and CCSQ what they need to answer the Congressional inquiry and show what our program is doing
• Question from Nathan - Is there a timeline when EDIs will get expectations of what is to be reported or is it dependent on the conversation Michael will have with the contractor?
  • It is dependent on Michael's meeting with the contractor
• Question from Vlad - Can the EDIs just give a comma delimited file with results for a whole year?
  • Per Michael, maybe but we can discuss at the meeting the details

Vaccinations

• Nathan sent an email to CMS/Program last month around the implementation of the new vaccination module
  • Todd has the vaccination questions and will review with Porsche.  Feedback will be provided at the next Program Working Group meeting, 3/9 (Action item)
  • Per Nathan - he was following up on the outstanding questions that the EDIs have for vaccinations
    • How will certain things be handled?
    • What the expectation is for implementation: Would there be any data movement from the data that's in the system today to the new module?
    • Would the EDIs only report moving forward or report a full historical set of data and then everything new going forward? What are the reporting expectations?
    • In general, there are a bunch of questions out there the program has not been able to answer.  The EDIs cannot move forward with an of their development planning type work until they have answers from the program
  • Per Steve Goodman - he is requesting for an updated data dictionary that will include Flu and Hep B (type and subtypes) and how to handle boosters
    • Per Scott, a new data dictionary has not been prepared yet.  As soon as it has been updated, it will be sent out to the EDI submitters
    • Steve mentioned that not only the data dictionary but any information on subtype mappings and any decisions on how the EDIs are expected to handle certain information would be great

Open Forum

DaVita

• Nathan asked where do we stand with the Identify Depressed Patients (IDP)
  • There are a number of outstanding questions and concerns
  • EDIs need the final expectations and requirements
  • Per Porsche the program is working internally to finalize a few more details and nearing completion
  • The program is finalizing answers to the questions and concerns to provide back to the EDIs
  • Not finalizing to get it functional in the system
• Follow up question to the information provided earlier regarding the 2021 Data Submission Extension -
  • Why is it taking so long to get an answer and when the EDIs may get answer?
    • It's been 5 weeks since the formal request was put in
    • The informal request was raised in December, 2021
  • Per Porsche, she does understand the concerns for the EDIs.  She has been out of the loop of the leadership conversations so she does not have a definitive response; the decision is pending
  • As soon as the program hears something, she will share with the group

FKC

• Per Kathleen, no updates for KFC

DCI

• Per Vlad, no updates for DCI

NRAA

• Not able to attend today's meeting