CAST Case Study: Mira Vista Care Center and eHealth Data Solutions

Mira Vista Care Center, a provider of skilled nursing services in the Skagit Valley of Washington State, needed a way to more effectively communicate and investigate the occurrence of adverse events throughout its care setting.

Specifically, Mira Vista was looking for a technology solution that: 

• Supported timely communication of information about adverse events.

• Facilitated a timely investigation of each incident.

• Notified specific team members, including the administrator, about adverse events.

• Helped the organization meet requirements for reporting incidents to the state.

• Improved quality of care.

• Advanced preventative measures for residents. 

Mira Vista chose to implement RiskWatch from CAST Supporter eHealth Data Solutions (eHDS). This Internet-based repository allows skilled nursing settings and assisted living communities to log problematic events as they occur.

The collaboration between Mira Vista Care Center and eHDS is featured in the latest CAST Case Study. The case study is entitled, “Reducing Risk and Improving the Accuracy and Timeliness of Incident Reporting Through a Web-Based System.”

Implementation Approach

At the start of the RiskWatch implementation process, eHDS customer service support staff taught small groups of Mira Vista nurses and other staff how to use the system. Trainees also learned how to teach other staff members to use the system.

A few lead staff members served as champions for the project. These champions had thorough knowledge and training about the process, including how to use RiskWatch and how to troubleshoot issues as they arose.

Outcomes

Over time, Mira Vista staff members have developed an enhanced awareness of the need to document incidents accurately and immediately as they occur. Staff members are using the RiskWatch system to document probable causes and other information that helps them to identify issues and take corrective/preventive actions. In this way, the RiskWatch system gives staff the ability to be proactive by taking immediate action that is likely to prevent another incident.

The RiskWatch system has also helped Mira Vista handle complaint surveys. The Care Center has not received any citations since it started using RiskWatch, according to Administrator Scott Hale. The organization has maintained a 4-Star or higher quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services since the program’s inception 5 years ago.

Tips for Successful Implementation

The Mira Vista-eHDS case study includes these tips for successfully implementing a web-based system to reduce risk and improve the accuracy and timeliness of incident reporting:

• Ensuring Success: Ensure consistent use of a new system by all staff members through training, operating procedures and support from top-level leadership in the organization. 

• Staff engagement: Make sure that staff members are continually involved. If a RiskWatch email notification is sent over a weekend, staff must be willing to look at it, log it into the system and take appropriate actions. Otherwise, the system won’t achieve the intended goals of enhancing the timeliness and accuracy of incident reporting to drive quality improvement.

“RiskWatch puts you in a position to act quickly and minimize risk,” writes Hale. “That shows your residents and surveyors that you take risk management very seriously and care is happening the way it should. And that’s exactly what you want.”