Value sets are standardized collections of terms and codes that categorize medical concepts, procedures, and conditions. Within electronic health records (EHRs), they facilitate effective communication between different healthcare systems and ensure efficient data management. However, creating and maintaining the accuracy of value sets can be challenging.
In a recent webinar, Healthcare value sets and strategies for better data quality management, experts discussed strategies and best practices for managing and utilizing value set data to enhance the quality of patient care, streamline healthcare operations, and support informed decision-making. Watch the full webinar to gain practical takeaways from IMO Health experts Mamtha Mishra, Group Project Manager of IMO Precision Sets, Julie Glasgow, Senior Clinical Terminologist, and Cedars-Sinai Lead Analyst, EIS, Wyndi Sklar-Bleeker.
Pressed for time? Check out some of the highlights below.
The burden of building value sets
The panelists describe creating value sets as a shared responsibility between analysts and physicians. Analysts often start the process, bearing the burden of making value sets complete and correct. However, clinicians are frequently involved in answering specific questions that arise. Glasgow recalls that in some organizations, physicians directly create value sets, focusing on specific clinical needs or research questions. This iterative process involves refining the value sets as questions become more specific, which can be burdensome. She highlights ongoing efforts to develop tools that streamline this process and ease the burden on both analysts and physicians.
Avoiding inefficiencies in value sets
Glasgow warns that value set inaccuracies can cause serious issues, such as missed follow-ups and lapses in patient care, stating, “You can actually bring about a lapse in the care of a patient who misses follow-up because a value set didn’t find them.” Additionally, she highlights the inefficiencies caused by false positives, where value sets include patients who shouldn’t be in them, forcing clinicians to manually filter them out. This situation is described as “a big inefficiency,” emphasizing the need for precise value sets to maintain high standards of patient care and operational efficiency.
Optimizing value set workflows
Sklar-Bleeker speaks to Cedars-Sinai’s relationship with IMO Health and details how her organization makes use of concept-based approaches for easier maintenance and leveraging of existing clinical data. Learn how IMO Health’s oncology value sets, medication protocols, and transitioning from manual workflows to IMO Health’s value set editor, are creating more efficient processes for Cedars-Sinai.
