ISG Playbook
APIs
Q: What is Cedric Libiran's contact info?
A: Cedric.libiran@alpinetg.com or Aspen Help desk 888-477-7876
Q: Does CASPER have information that isn't on QCOR?
A: Yes (QCOR data is a subset of CASPER data)
Q: Why do the "canned" reports have so many extra blank lines and columns in addition to information that locations don't require? For instance -you could end up with a report that's 15 pages long -when you eventually get it into excel so it is usable and delete all the extra stuff you end up with a 4 page long report.
A: The format of the reports were laid out a long time ago by our SOG/QSOG predecessors.The technology used at that time and data model changes over time have contributed to the ultimate format of the reports today. Excel does not work well as the default output.
Q: Why is this data separate from other providers?
A: The dialysis data reports on dialysisdata.gov are available to ESRD providers, State agencies, CMS staff, and the CMS Networks. Due to the security requirements, as well as user access needs, CMS currently maintains this information on a separate web-based platform. A certain set of the data is also available on the PDC site.
Q: Are the RSS surveys in this report?
A: The RSS will be in the new tool (vs. using the fillable PDF title RSS Report Form currently in use.) Until the new tool is released, surveyors should continue to utilize the RSS Report Form and Instructions.
Q: Does this report track when the comparative was submitted and when the CMS locations issued the Form CMS-2567 and notice letter?
A: No this information is not included in the FMS database. Not sure if CMS locations keep track of when the data was submitted or when they issued form CMS-2567 and notice letter.
Q: Will there be enough spaces for larger numbers of tags to be entered without creating a second report?
A: Yes, the updated form will allow users to enter more than 20 F-Tags on a comparative without opening a new record.
Q: Does the report tell you if a nursing home has previously had a survey in the last 3 yrs?
A: No -the new tool is for tracking FMS and creating reports that are sent to the State Agency. The CLEAR NH and ACC Dashboard in QuickSight provides data that can be used for facility selection, including past FMS (and the type of FMS), bed count, SFF/ Candidates, Star Ratings and Staffing Ratings.
Q: So no "one stop" shopping?
A: Agree -because the functionality for facility selection is already in the CLEAR NH and ACC FMS Dashboard, we did not re-create that functionality here.
Q: Where does the ownership information come from?
A: PECOS (Provider Enrollment Chain of Ownership System)
Q: Can you run a report that shows all of the nursing homes in a chains portfolio?
A: PDC gives you the ability to create a filter on any field in a dataset. For Nursing Home ownership info, go to the Provider Information dataset and click the Filter button. Select Legal Business Name as the column, = Equals as the condition, and the name you are looking for as the Value.
Q: Can it also show what MAC services the chain?
A: If you would like that added to the dataset you can make a request to bettercare@cms.hhs.gov
Q: Can we set up standard reports for our CMS location?
A: You can create a filter as above using the fields needed to define the location (state, city, county etc.) and then create a bookmark in your browser. The filter conditions will be stored.
Q: Access to PECOs info would be great.
A: This is outside the scope of PDC.
Q: QIES used to allow users to create user defined reports using all data elements in ASPEN. Which system can we use to do that now (since we can't do that in QIES anymore)?
A: There are no AD-hoc reports in ASPEN to the best of my knowledge, you can use SAS Viya which replaced the QIES Business Intelligence Center or (QBIC).
Q: Do you get any push back for sharing other States' data with States?
A: We have not had any pushback from States on sharing their SPIRIT info.