Yesterday, 01:20 AM
By Melissa Talley, BSN, MBA, Director of Quality Clinical Services
In healthcare, data is more than just numbers—it’s the foundation of patient care, operational efficiency, and better outcomes. For healthcare providers, payers, and public health organizations, the ability to trust and rely on health data is critical. At KONZA, we know that ensuring data quality is essential for making informed decisions, improving patient care, and driving cost-effective solutions.
Each year, KONZA evaluates its progress and impact on healthcare data quality. Our 2024 Quality Report highlights key achievements, advancements in data integrity, and the steps we’ve taken to support healthcare organizations nationwide.
As one of the first Designated Qualified Health Information Networks® (QHINs™) under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™ (TEFCA™), KONZA is leading the effort to create seamless, nationwide health information exchange. Our goal is to ensure that healthcare organizations and stakeholders can depend on accurate, comprehensive, and actionable data.
Why Data Quality Matters
Reliable data touches every aspect of healthcare:
At KONZA, we believe that quality data builds trust—and trust is what drives better healthcare.
Key Achievements in Data Quality
We’ve made significant strides in 2024 to improve data quality and support our clients:
1. Achieving Certification for Data You Can Trust:
KONZA participates in the NCQA Data Aggregator Validation (DAV) program, which confirms that our data streams meet the highest standards of quality and completeness. In 2024, we successfully guided two cohorts through the program, bringing our total to over 450 certified organizations. This ensures that the data you rely on is verified, accurate, and ready for use.
2. Advancing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH):
Data related to social determinants—like housing, income, and family support—accounts for nearly half of patient outcomes. In 2024, we expanded our initiatives to collect and share this critical information, helping organizations address health inequities and improve care transitions.
3. Focusing on Race, Ethnicity, and Language (REaL) Data:
Accurate REaL data is essential for identifying and addressing health disparities. KONZA continued to lead initiatives to improve data collection and interoperability, providing actionable insights for hospitals and healthcare systems.
4. Delivering Impact Through Collaboration:
By collaborating with over 80 hospitals in Kansas as part of a CMS quality improvement collaborative, KONZA played a key role in supporting efforts to reduce readmissions, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to nearly $92 million in cost savings. While these achievements reflect a collective effort, KONZA’s high-quality data and analytics supported organizations in making informed decisions that enhanced care coordination and operational efficiency.
5. Continuous Improvement: Looking Ahead
Data quality is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey. KONZA’s rigorous audit processes, including primary source verification (PSV) and post-refresh data reviews, ensure continuous improvement. In 2025, we will expand our efforts to include new contributors and refine our methodologies to address emerging challenges.
A Shared Mission
At KONZA, we believe that reliable data is the foundation of better healthcare. By fostering trust and transparency, we empower providers to make informed clinical decisions, patients to navigate their care with confidence, and payers to drive impactful analytics. Together, we are shaping a future where data quality serves as the bedrock of nationwide interoperability.
Learn more here.
In healthcare, data is more than just numbers—it’s the foundation of patient care, operational efficiency, and better outcomes. For healthcare providers, payers, and public health organizations, the ability to trust and rely on health data is critical. At KONZA, we know that ensuring data quality is essential for making informed decisions, improving patient care, and driving cost-effective solutions.
Each year, KONZA evaluates its progress and impact on healthcare data quality. Our 2024 Quality Report highlights key achievements, advancements in data integrity, and the steps we’ve taken to support healthcare organizations nationwide.
As one of the first Designated Qualified Health Information Networks® (QHINs™) under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™ (TEFCA™), KONZA is leading the effort to create seamless, nationwide health information exchange. Our goal is to ensure that healthcare organizations and stakeholders can depend on accurate, comprehensive, and actionable data.
Why Data Quality Matters
Reliable data touches every aspect of healthcare:
- For Providers and Organizations: It ensures the information guiding clinical decisions is accurate and complete.
- For HIE Participants: It streamlines care coordination and ensures compliance with regulatory standards.
- For Employers and Payers: It delivers actionable insights for managing costs and improving member wellness.
- For Public Health Agencies: It enables robust population health monitoring and targeted interventions.
At KONZA, we believe that quality data builds trust—and trust is what drives better healthcare.
Key Achievements in Data Quality
We’ve made significant strides in 2024 to improve data quality and support our clients:
1. Achieving Certification for Data You Can Trust:
KONZA participates in the NCQA Data Aggregator Validation (DAV) program, which confirms that our data streams meet the highest standards of quality and completeness. In 2024, we successfully guided two cohorts through the program, bringing our total to over 450 certified organizations. This ensures that the data you rely on is verified, accurate, and ready for use.
2. Advancing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH):
Data related to social determinants—like housing, income, and family support—accounts for nearly half of patient outcomes. In 2024, we expanded our initiatives to collect and share this critical information, helping organizations address health inequities and improve care transitions.
3. Focusing on Race, Ethnicity, and Language (REaL) Data:
Accurate REaL data is essential for identifying and addressing health disparities. KONZA continued to lead initiatives to improve data collection and interoperability, providing actionable insights for hospitals and healthcare systems.
4. Delivering Impact Through Collaboration:
By collaborating with over 80 hospitals in Kansas as part of a CMS quality improvement collaborative, KONZA played a key role in supporting efforts to reduce readmissions, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to nearly $92 million in cost savings. While these achievements reflect a collective effort, KONZA’s high-quality data and analytics supported organizations in making informed decisions that enhanced care coordination and operational efficiency.
5. Continuous Improvement: Looking Ahead
Data quality is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey. KONZA’s rigorous audit processes, including primary source verification (PSV) and post-refresh data reviews, ensure continuous improvement. In 2025, we will expand our efforts to include new contributors and refine our methodologies to address emerging challenges.
A Shared Mission
At KONZA, we believe that reliable data is the foundation of better healthcare. By fostering trust and transparency, we empower providers to make informed clinical decisions, patients to navigate their care with confidence, and payers to drive impactful analytics. Together, we are shaping a future where data quality serves as the bedrock of nationwide interoperability.
Learn more here.