Hospitals today generate and utilize massive amounts of data, encompassing everything from patient records and treatment plans to financial information and supply chain management1. Effectively managing this data is crucial for hospitals to operate efficiently, provide quality care, and control costs. To address these needs, hospitals rely on various data services. This report examines two such services: GHX’s Nuvia and Vizient’s Datalynx, while also touching upon other data services commonly employed in hospital settings.
Importance of Data Accuracy and Completeness in Hospital Settings
Accurate and complete data is the foundation for effective decision-making and efficient operations in any hospital. Inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to various problems, including:
- Increased Costs: Inaccurate pricing information can result in overpayments for medical supplies and equipment.
- Inventory Management Issues: Incomplete data on product availability can lead to stockouts or overstocking, impacting patient care and increasing costs.
- Billing Errors: Inaccurate data on patient demographics or procedures can lead to billing errors and revenue loss.
- Compromised Patient Safety: Inaccurate or incomplete patient data can compromise patient safety by leading to incorrect diagnoses or treatments.
Therefore, hospitals must prioritize data accuracy and completeness across all departments and systems.
GHX’s Nuvia
GHX’s Nuvia is a cloud-based data management solution designed to help hospitals maintain accurate and up-to-date item master data. Item master data refers to the detailed information about every product used in a hospital, including pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and equipment. This data is essential for various hospital operations, including procurement, inventory management, and billing. As noted in the analysis conducted, item master data can change millions of times per year, making periodic updates insufficient to build a reliable data source2. Nuvia addresses this challenge by providing a dynamic solution that continuously monitors and updates item information.
Features and Benefits of Nuvia
| Feature | Benefit |
| Continuous Monitoring and Correction | Nuvia continuously monitors the hospital’s item master for changes and updates, systematically correcting inaccuracies, removing duplicates, and filling in missing information2. |
| Access to a Comprehensive Data Repository | Nuvia provides access to the GHX Unified Data Core, a vast repository of verified supply item data. This repository contains over six million items, serving as a significant source of verified product information3. |
| Customizable Item Descriptions | Nuvia allows for complete, custom, and multiple item descriptions to meet the needs of various downstream systems, including electronic health records (EHRs)2. |
| Support for Value Analysis | Nuvia utilizes the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPCS) to provide categorization and support value analysis efforts. This helps hospitals standardize products and make informed purchasing decisions2. |
| Improved Reimbursement Revenue | Nuvia increases reimbursement revenue by providing visibility into Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)-coded items entering the hospital’s supply stream2. |
| Support for Value-Based Healthcare Initiatives | Nuvia supports value-based healthcare initiatives by providing insights and analysis to help hospitals manage costs, improve quality, and achieve better patient outcomes3. |
| Strategic Data Management Planning | Nuvia helps hospitals develop their strategic data management plan with insights and analysis to support purchasing decisions and drive priorities3. |
Implementation of Nuvia
Based on the information presented, specific details about the implementation process for Nuvia are limited2. However, a case study of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport offers some insights. The hospital faced challenges with inaccurate and incomplete item master data, leading to operational and financial inefficiencies. During their transition to a new MMIS, they partnered with GHX to implement Nuvia. The implementation involved engaging with GHX, developing a proposal, and presenting it to the hospital administration and clinical leaders. This suggests that implementing Nuvia requires collaboration between the hospital and GHX, along with a clear understanding of the hospital’s needs and objectives.
Case Studies and Testimonials
Several case studies and testimonials highlight the positive impact of Nuvia on hospital operations:
- Memorial Hospital at Gulfport: This hospital achieved 95% data accuracy within its item master after implementing Nuvia. This improved accuracy led to greater on-file spend, reduced time spent addressing data issues, and improved support for clinical departments in procuring necessary products4.
- UMC Health System: UMC Health System utilized Nuvia to improve contract compliance and item master data accuracy. They significantly reduced contract price discrepancies and streamlined processes in purchasing and accounts payable departments5.
- INTEGRIS: INTEGRIS implemented Nuvia to improve item master data quality and leverage negotiated contract prices. They achieved an estimated $3 million in annual savings through better contract compliance and lower non-file spend6.
These case studies demonstrate Nuvia’s effectiveness in improving data accuracy, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs for hospitals.
Vizient’s Datalynx
While Nuvia focuses on item master data, another important data service for hospitals is Vizient’s Datalynx. Datalynx is an item master management platform that helps hospitals improve data quality, standardize product information, and streamline supply chain operations. As the analysis shows, effective data management requires broader access and visibility into an arsenal of standardized data across each operational area that impacts spend – financial, clinical, and supply7. Datalynx addresses this need by offering a comprehensive suite of tools and services to support data management across various areas.
Features and Benefits of Datalynx
| Feature | Benefit |
| Improved Data Accuracy and Completeness | Datalynx offers tools for compressed ERP descriptions, on-demand Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), and product attributes for environmentally preferred products (EPP). These features enhance data quality and completeness, leading to more efficient operations8. |
| Single Source of Truth | Datalynx serves as a single source of truth for broader datasets across financial, clinical, and supply chain operations. This centralized platform helps hospitals ensure data consistency and improve decision-making7. |
| Enhanced Product Advisor Support | Datalynx provides enhanced product advisor support and custom data services created by experts. This helps hospitals access specialized knowledge and support to optimize their data management strategies7. |
| Integration with ERP Systems | Datalynx integrates with ERP systems to standardize line item data and improve the efficiency of daily supply chain activities7. |
| Contract Data Feeds | Datalynx allows hospitals to receive daily feeds of the latest enrolled contract data from the Vizient Catalog. This helps maintain price accuracy, manage contract module maintenance, and reduce discrepancies due to continuous pricing updates7. |
| Price Accuracy | Datalynx helps hospitals achieve 95% price accuracy between Item Master pricing and the Vizient Catalog7. |
| Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP) | Datalynx includes product attributes for EPP, improving item master data quality and completeness while supporting sustainability initiatives8. |
Implementation of Datalynx
While specific details about the implementation process for Datalynx are limited in the information presented, Vizient emphasizes a comprehensive onboarding process9. This process includes assigning a project manager, coordinating data acquisition and validation, and providing interactive training. This suggests that implementing Datalynx involves close collaboration between the hospital and Vizient, with a focus on data quality and user training.
Case Studies and Testimonials
Although specific case studies focusing on Datalynx are limited in the information presented, Vizient highlights the platform’s benefits in various news releases and informational materials7. They emphasize the platform’s ability to improve data accuracy, streamline contract management, and enhance supply chain operations. One user testimonial on G2.com mentions the ease of finding items and using filters to pinpoint specific needs10.
Reviews and Comparisons of Nuvia and Datalynx
User reviews provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different data services. Here’s a comparison of Nuvia and Datalynx based on user feedback:
- GHX Exchange (related to Nuvia): A user review on G2.com highlights the efficiency of GHX Exchange in managing purchase orders (POs) and invoices. The user praises the platform’s search functionality and the ability to use specific criteria to find invoices11.
- Vizient (related to Datalynx): A user review on G2.com mentions the ease of finding items in the Vizient catalog and using filters to pinpoint specific needs. This suggests that Datalynx, as part of the Vizient suite of services, offers a user-friendly interface and efficient search capabilities10.
Pricing of Nuvia and Datalynx
Pricing is a crucial factor for hospitals when considering different data services. Here’s what the analysis found regarding the pricing of Nuvia and Datalynx:
- GHX Nuvia: While no specific pricing information for Nuvia was found, GHX Order Automation, a related product, is mentioned as a way to help hospitals get paid faster. This suggests that GHX offers various solutions to improve financial performance in hospitals12.
- Vizient Datalynx: No pricing information for Datalynx was available in the analysis13.
Other Data Services Used by Hospitals
In addition to GHX’s Nuvia and Vizient’s Datalynx, hospitals utilize a variety of other data services to manage their complex data needs. These services include:
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP): HCUP is a family of healthcare databases and tools sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It provides a national information resource of patient-level healthcare data, including administrative discharge data. HCUP enables research on healthcare quality, outcomes, and utilization, helping hospitals identify areas for improvement and benchmark their performance against national standards14.
- Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR): MEDPAR is a data file from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) containing records on all Medicare beneficiaries who use hospital inpatient services. It allows for the calculation of measures relating to hospital quality, conditions, and procedures. Hospitals can use MEDPAR data to track their performance on various quality measures and identify areas where they can improve care for Medicare beneficiaries14.
- Data Analytics Platforms: Hospitals use data analytics platforms to analyze various data sources, including electronic health records, financial data, and operational data. These platforms help identify trends, predict outcomes, and improve decision-making. By leveraging data analytics, hospitals can gain insights into patient populations, identify cost drivers, and optimize resource allocation15.
- Routine Health Information Systems (RHIS): RHIS collect health service data directly from health facilities, providing frequent and near real-time information on service performance and quality. This allows hospitals to monitor key performance indicators, identify potential problems, and make timely adjustments to improve service delivery1.
- Digital Health Data Packages: These packages utilize digital technology to collect and report health data, reducing the reporting burden for healthcare staff and facilitating data-driven decision-making. Digital health tools can streamline data collection processes, improve data accuracy, and provide real-time insights to support clinical decision-making and operational efficiency1.
Conclusion
Hospitals rely on a variety of data services to manage their complex data needs and improve operational efficiency. GHX’s Nuvia and Vizient’s Datalynx are two prominent examples of such services, offering specialized tools and features to support item master data management and supply chain optimization. Nuvia excels in continuous data monitoring and correction, ensuring that item master data remains accurate and up-to-date. Datalynx, on the other hand, offers a broader suite of tools for data management across different departments, including finance, clinical operations, and supply chain. Choosing between Nuvia and Datalynx depends on the specific needs and priorities of the hospital.
In addition to these platforms, hospitals utilize various other data services, including government databases like HCUP and MEDPAR, data analytics platforms, and digital health tools. By effectively leveraging these data services, hospitals can improve data accuracy, streamline operations, enhance patient care, and control costs.
The increasing volume and complexity of healthcare data present significant challenges for hospitals. However, advancements in data management technology and the availability of specialized data services provide hospitals with the tools they need to effectively manage this data and improve overall performance. By prioritizing data accuracy, completeness, and accessibility, hospitals can make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and ultimately provide better care to their patients.
