MedVentive Introduces Quality Focus to Identify and Help Close Healthcare Gaps; Workflow Software Uses Cognos Analytical and Reporting Software to Assess Physician Performance and Efficiently Effect Care Improvements

Business Wire, Sept 1, 2005

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- MedVentive, a provider of medical cost containment and quality improvement solutions, has introduced Quality Focus, software that identifies breakdowns in care, pinpoints exactly what type of intervention is needed, and then notifies physicians and patients of suggested interventions.

"Physicians play a pivotal role in healthcare quality improvement yet face significant challenges when it comes to understanding what they need to do to improve care," explained MedVentive president and CEO Jonathan M. Niloff, M.D. "Quality Focus is designed to address these very specific challenges and help physician organizations, health insurers and employers move quickly and efficiently to achieve care improvements -- more important than ever in today's pay-for-performance climate."

At the heart of Quality Focus is a data warehouse that combines medical, pharmacy and laboratory claims information to generate a complete profile for each patient. Data is added to the warehouse monthly, so organizations have a very timely view of performance across all patients. "Very few physicians receive any information about the quality of care they provide, and those who do often receive conflicting reports from multiple payers. By taking a comprehensive approach, Quality Focus supplies a more cohesive, statistically significant picture," said Dr. Niloff.

To identify opportunities for care improvement, Quality Focus compares this claims information against the most current evidence-based standards for optimal medical care. Workflow tools within Quality Focus then facilitate change. Using a Web-based interface, the software notifies physicians when intervention is needed, automatically generates letters or call lists that help physicians efficiently share information with patients, follows up until recommended care is received and permits physicians to correct the information if they determine the intervention is unnecessary, a capability that enhances physician acceptance.

The final piece of the Quality Focus story is its use of analysis and reporting software from Cognos, a leader in business intelligence and corporate performance management, both to provide reporting flexibility and speed product development. Cognos presents the claims data in such a way that anyone -- no matter what his or her level of data analysis knowledge -- can rapidly and intuitively view the data from multiple dimensions. With this ability, organizations can accurately answer pressing business and clinical questions and help define where to focus quality improvement efforts.

"Placing Cognos BI at the foundation of Quality Focus's business intelligence capabilities will enable healthcare organizations to capitalize on a best-of-breed approach to monitoring their performance and making proper decisions in 'right time'," said Bill Stevens, senior director of life sciences solutions at Cognos. "In the end, it's all about improving patient care and delivering optimal healthcare services. Quality Focus combines Cognos reporting and analysis with MedVentive's industry expertise to focus a lens on healthcare performance metrics and results like no other solution."

"Quality Focus is the first quality improvement system in healthcare to use these ground-breaking technologies," said Dr. Niloff. "We've combined the best workflow, analytical and reporting technologies with the most current, evidence-based clinical thinking to give organizations a clear, trustworthy assessment of physician performance, as well as the tools to make quality interventions as efficient as possible."

About MedVentive

For nearly ten years, MedVentive has worked with leading academic hospitals and physicians to develop and deploy innovative, clinically sophisticated approaches to successfully reduce healthcare costs and improve quality. Healthcare providers, payor organizations and self-insured employers use MedVentive's technology and services to identify their greatest healthcare improvement opportunities and act quickly and efficiently to effect change through customized interventions. For more information, visit www.MedVentive.com.