How to Use Behavioral Health EHR for Capturing Clinical Quality Measures

Capturing key metrics is important in behavioral health as some of them, such as clinical quality measures, are of significant importance in client management. They are used to determine the quality of patient care, the effectiveness, and the cost and quality of patient care services.

It also meets the requirements provided by the CARF, COA, and CMS to be implemented in the respective organization. With the recent shift towards implementing electronic health records, behavioral health providers need to develop a better approach to reporting. 

This blog post explains how providers can capture CQMs via behavioral health EHRs while discussing also why these measures are essential, and why specialty EHRs are of value at that.

What are Clinical Quality Measures?

Clinical quality measures are metrics used in healthcare settings. It is important in evaluating the quality of delivered healthcare by healthcare providers. They assess several elements of the treatment of patients which is efficacy, effectiveness, and risk.

In behavioral health, CQMs are therefore important in assessing the outcomes of treatments for mental health disorders, substance abuse, and aftercare services. These measures assist in the realization of the required changes. It also guarantees that the providers meet the set regulatory and accreditation measures.

Importance of Clinical Quality Measures in Behavioral Health

Clinical quality measures are one of the crucial metrics in behavioral health. Accreditation organizations like CARF and COA require these metrics as part of their standards. 

While CMS mandates reporting for incentive payments. By capturing clinical quality measures, behavioral health providers can:

• Demonstrate the effectiveness of their treatment strategies 
• Identify gaps in care 
• Ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

This continuous quality improvement is essential for maintaining accreditation.

Categories of Clinical Quality Measures for Behavioral Health

The categories of clinical quality measures for behavioral health focus on specific patient populations and treatment outcomes. 

Key metrics include those related to the management of mental health disorders, evaluations of adolescent risky behaviors, and documentation of aftercare services following hospitalization.

1. Metrics Related to Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders comprise indicators such as accident probability. Also, the main outer and inner critical appraisal of treatment processes and results. This means that the providers must report on suicide assessment and screening for substance abuse and maternal depression. 

These include metrics that are useful in the early identification of high-risk patients and therefore appropriate interventions. In this way, behavioral health providers could improve their treatments and contribute to increased efforts in the prevention of many mental health emergencies.

2. Data from Adolescent Risky Behavior Evaluations

Risky behavior assessments for adolescents center focus on identifying and addressing behaviors that might be lethal to the lives of the youth. Measures in this category are assessments of at least one substance abuse screen, sexually acting out, and aggression. 

Collecting this outcome allows for intervention and prevention with the at-risk youth by behavioral health providers. These evaluations do not only improve the quality of patient care but also address CMS expectations so that providers can better address the needs of their communities while also meeting reporting expectations.

3. Documentation of Hospitalization Aftercare Services

Documentation of aftercare services provided to clients is pivotal in completing the discharge process from the hospital to the outpatient department. Delivered psychiatric care clients experience instability in their functioning after discharge and may require admission. 

Outpatient follow-up services need to be recorded as accurately as possible so that the recovery process of patients and their relapse can be as well monitored. Concerning this factor, the providers can improve the outcomes of their aftercare planning, as well as continue the patient’s care and observe the CMS reporting requirements.

4. Upcoming CMS Measures

CMS is continuously working to enhance the quality of care in behavioral health by developing new clinical quality measures. Upcoming measures will focus on emerging areas such as the treatment of emotional trauma, autism, suicide prevention, and substance abuse disorders. 

These evolving metrics aim to capture the complexity of behavioral health needs and improve treatment efficacy. Providers must stay updated on these developments to ensure compliance and effectively integrate new measures into their reporting practices.

Benefits of Using Behavioral Health Specialty EHR

1. Streamlined capturing of clinical quality measures

Using a behavioral health specialty EHR significantly streamlines the process of capturing clinical quality measures. These systems are specifically designed to collect, store, and report the required metrics without extensive manual data entry or customization. By automating the data capture process, EHRs reduce the risk of errors and ensure timely reporting to regulatory bodies.

Related: How EHR Automation Tools Can Improve Clinical Notes for Behavioral Health

2. Elimination of customization needs

One of the key advantages of utilizing behavioral health specialty EHRs is the elimination of customization needs for capturing clinical quality measures. 

These systems come pre-configured with the necessary templates and reporting functionalities tailored to the unique requirements of behavioral health practices. By reducing the need for extensive modifications, providers can save valuable time and resources.

3. Support for continued eligibility for incentive payments

Behavioral health specialty EHRs support providers in maintaining their eligibility for incentive payments from CMS. By ensuring accurate and timely reporting of clinical quality measures, these systems help practices meet the necessary criteria to qualify for financial incentives. 

This continued eligibility is vital for sustaining practice revenue and promoting quality improvement initiatives.

4. Facilitation of audits by accreditation authorities

The use of behavioral health specialty EHRs facilitates audits by accreditation authorities, making the accreditation process smoother and less time-consuming. These systems automatically capture and organize clinical quality measures, providing easy access to the required documentation during audits.

5. Reduction of stress and time in accreditation survey processes

Implementing a behavioral health specialty EHR can significantly reduce stress and time associated with accreditation survey processes. Thereby, data for accreditation reviews are available in the natural narrative as the EHR records clinical quality measures automatically.

Related: How to Overcome the Common Barriers in Adopting EHR for Behavioral Health

Practical Steps for Implementing EHR in Capturing Clinical Quality Measures

1. Choosing the Right Behavioral Health EHR

Choosing the right behavioral health EHR is however one of the most critical processes in ensuring high capture of CQM. Providers should like and make their choice of EHR systems depending on how well they can respond to regulatory necessities, whether such systems are easy to use, and whether they can integrate into current processes. 

Considerations should include features specifically designed for behavioral health, such as: 

• Templates for documentation 
• Automated reporting capabilities 
• Integrated data analytics tools.

2. Training Staff on EHR Functionalities

Training staff on EHR functionalities is vital for the successful implementation and utilization of clinical quality measures. Comprehensive training programs should cover the system’s features, including data entry, reporting capabilities, and workflows specific to behavioral health. 

Engaging staff in hands-on training sessions and providing ongoing support can foster confidence in using the EHR effectively.

3. Setting up Data Capture Processes for Required Metrics

Establishing clear strategies for data gathering is crucial in reporting various clinical quality measures to required metrics. There are no standard protocols for BH data collection and entry to the EHR thus, BH providers should follow the appropriate practices. 

This may include setting quantifiable goals for measuring, identifying staff members who will be charged with entering data, and having processes for checking the data entered regularly.

4. Regular Audits and Reviews to Ensure Compliance

Conducting regular audits and reviews is critical for ensuring compliance with clinical quality measure reporting requirements. Behavioral health providers should establish a routine for evaluating data accuracy, completeness, and alignment with CMS guidelines. 

Regularly reviewing captured metrics can help identify potential issues and areas for improvement, allowing for timely corrective actions.

Vozo EHR for Behavioral Health Practice

Though many Mental Health EHR solutions are available on the internet, Vozo stands in the separate line by offering exceptional solutions for Mental Healthcare Professionals.

Vozo has a wide range of key features like an advanced user-friendly interface, seamless integration with mental health tools, accurate reporting, and analytics, specialized templates for mental health, etc…

Our exceptional solution for All Levels of Mental Healthcare Practice;

• Vozo has an advanced user-friendly interface, even non-techy healthcare professionals and staff members can handle and manage it with ease.
• Our Support team will cover your back 24/7, whenever you need technical support, our team will assist you.
• Vozo’s Subscription plan is cost-effective and benefits all levels of healthcare practices.
• Data Migration to the Vozo EHR system is made easy, yet our support team will assist you.
• We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support for healthcare professionals and staff members.
• Vozo complies with regulatory standards and ensures high data safety and security.

“Empower Vozo’s Mental Health EHR Solution for Mental Health Patients Outcomes. Sign up and get a free demo“