New in Health Affairs: ACOs’ Use of Data to Drive Innovation, and the Hidden Roles of Management Partners
<p>In the new issue of <em>Health Affairs, </em>Commonwealth Fund–supported researchers discuss how effectively accountable care organizations (ACOs) and other new care delivery models use data to drive innovation, and how many ACOs have come to rely on management partners to provide essential services. </p><p><strong><a href="/publications/journal-article/2018/feb/data-driven-diffusion-innovations-successes-and-challenges-3">Data-Driven Diffusion of Innovations: Successes and Challenges in Three Large-Scale Innovative Delivery Models.</a> </strong>By David A. Dorr, Deborah J. Cohen, and Julia Adler-Milstein.</p>
<p>While 97 percent of ACOs have an electronic health record (EHR) system in place, only 65 percent draw data from disease registries and just 39 percent use secure messaging technology. Moreover, most ACOs report trouble sharing data among providers in different health care settings. The authors believe health care practices would benefit from receiving more one-on-one assistance and hiring “practice facilitators” to help them make better use of the data they collect.</p>
<p><strong><a href="/publications/journal-article/2018/feb/hidden-roles-management-partners-play-accountable-care">The Hidden Roles That Management Partners Play in Accountable Care Organizations.</a> </strong>By Valerie A. Lewis, Thomas D’Aunno, Genevra F. Murray, Stephen M. Shortell, and Carrie H. Colla.</p>
<p>Some ACOs — particularly smaller, physician-led organizations and ones not affiliated with hospitals — seek out management partners to provide them with a range of key services and capabilities. National survey findings show more than one-third of ACOs have a management partner. Most commonly these firms provide services like data analytics, administrative and educational services, and care coordination. While there is no evidence that ACOs with management partners perform better than those without on metrics of cost or quality of care, findings suggest these partners are critical suppliers of the technical expertise and infrastructure needed for participation in ACO programs.</p>