Skip Navigation

Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

Sign up for MCHalert eNewsletter

Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Medical Home: Referrals.

MCHbest Logo

Strategy. Health Information Technology (HIT) Solutions

Approach. Utilize electronic health data in order to standardize communication among service providers and staff so that patient records are accurate, are shared efficiently, and kept secure

Return to main MCHbest page >>

Overview. Utilizing Health Information Technology (HIT) solutions to standardize communication among service providers and staff can lead to more referral follow up visits. The implementation of electronically transmitted referrals for pediatric subspecialty care significantly increased subspecialty visit attendance within 4 weeks of referral, demonstrating sustained improvement and an 8.6% relative improvement compared to control practices.[1]

Evidence. Emerging Evidence. Strategies based on emerging evidence show promise but have not undergone extensive testing. While these approaches demonstrate potential, their effectiveness remains unconfirmed. Prioritize rigorous monitoring to ensure they achieve desired outcomes for all MCH populations.

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.

Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:

  • Electronic Health Record (EHR) data
  • Data accuracy and integrity audits
  • Patient portal engagement metrics

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

  • Provider Experience of Care. This strategy improves healthcare professionals' perceptions, feelings, and satisfaction with the work environment and systems they use.
  • Timeliness of Care. This strategy promotes delivery of healthcare services in a timely manner to optimize benefits and prevent complications.
  • Quality of Care. This strategy promotes the degree to which healthcare services meet established standards aimed at achieving optimal health outcomes.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Case Management (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Population/Systems-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework (see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).

Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)

  • Number of healthcare organizations adopting interoperable HIT systems for patient information exchange. (Measures uptake of HIT solutions)
  • Number of patients whose health information is managed using standardized electronic formats. (Assesses reach of electronic health data utilization)

Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)

  • Percent of patient health information documented using standardized data elements and coding systems. (Measures data quality within HIT systems)
  • Percent of providers demonstrating proficiency in using HIT tools for care delivery and coordination. (Assesses workforce capacity for HIT use)

Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)

  • Number of policies implemented to drive adoption and interoperability of HIT solutions. (Assesses enabling environment for HIT advancement)
  • Number of multi-partner initiatives working to promote data standardization and best practices in HIT. (Measures collective efforts to scale HIT solutions)
  • Number of communities benefiting from more coordinated care through widespread adoption of interoperable HIT. (Assesses population health impact of HIT infrastructure)
  • Number of patient safety incidents mitigated through HIT-based clinical decision support tools. (Shows HIT impact on reducing preventable harm)

Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)

  • Percent of HIT design process actively engaging patients and communities. (Measures HIT co-design practices)
  • Percent of HIT investments dedicated to closing digital divides in communities. (Assesses commitment to HIT outcomes)
  • Percent of communities benefiting from more coordinated care through widespread adoption of interoperable HIT. (Assesses population health impact of HIT infrastructure)
  • Percent of patient safety incidents mitigated through HIT-based clinical decision support tools. (Shows HIT impact on reducing preventable harm)

Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:

  1. Move from measuring quantity to quality.
  2. Move from measuring effort to effect.
  3. Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
  4. The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

References

[1] Ray, K. N., Drnach, M., Mehrotra, A., Suresh, S., & Docimo, S. G. (2018). Impact of Implementation of Electronically Transmitted Referrals on Pediatric Subspecialty Visit Attendance. Academic pediatrics, 18(4), 409–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2017.12.008

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.