Advanced quality data integration introduction and file types

Before you decide which quality measures to report, it's helpful to know what data you'll need to produce the scores for the measure.

Depending on the measure, data can be collected from advanced file formats, including C-CDA and QRDA-I. These sources each have specific functions in healthcare, so there are advantages and challenges when they're used for quality measurement and reporting.

C-CDA/CCD

C-CDA stands for Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture. It’s the most common format for health information exchange in the U.S. today. 

Each patient encounter in the healthcare system can be represented by a single document in the Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) style. Hundreds of these documents can be generated for an individual when they encounter the healthcare system.

Continuity of Care Documents (CCDs) are used to support handoffs from 1 clinician to another. They capture a standardized summary of the relevant clinical data for a specific patient. Although clinician notes can be imprecise, CCDs are designed to transfer this data from 1 provider to another without any loss of meaning.

Is the C-CDA/CCD format the right file type for MIPSpro?

The C-CDA/CCD file format can be uploaded into MIPSpro. When uploading the file in the Visits section of the Data Integration page, the file type will populate the applicable questions. Our article on appending and overwriting data contains more information. 

This file type is limited to the information that is programmed. Depending on your measures selection, you may need to complete additional build work to capture data elements needed for measure success.

C-CDA files must be uploaded as a zipped file. We recommended you review the build of your files to ensure they include all needed data for measure performance.  

QRDA-I files

Warning on QRDA files

Healthmonix only accepts QRDA-I files.

QRDA-I files create a standard method to report quality measure results in a structured, consistent format. They can be used to exchange electronic Clinical Quality Measure (eCQM) data between systems like EHRs and quality databases.

  • EHRs certified under the ONCs 2015 criteria should support the capability to export QRDA I.
  • Some EHR vendors require additional modules or setup of the QRDA functionality before being fully capable.
  • Each QRDA-I report contains quality data for 1 patient for 1 or more CQMs.
  • QRDA-I files uses XML (extensible markup language), which is an internet standard for data storage and exchange. It uses nested <tags> for organizations.

QRDA-I contain data about:

  • Patient ID
  • Time period
  • eCQMs
  • Patient data

Is a QRDA-I the right file type for MIPSpro?

The QRDA-I file format can be uploaded into MIPSpro. When uploading the file in the Visits section of the Data Integration page, the file type will populate the applicable questions. Our article on appending and overwriting data contains more information. 

The QRDA-I file type must be uploaded as a zipped file. We recommended you review the build of your files to ensure they include all needed data for measure performance.

This article was updated May 8, 2024. 

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