By Archie Mayani

The growing volume of cardiovascular imaging is driving a perspective shift. Many health systems now recognize that aggregated imaging data is an asset rather than a liability. Consolidating traditionally siloed data can help organizations realize operational and performance benefits that can prove pivotal to demonstrating value in this era of value-based care.

Imaging departments are simultaneously realizing the value of standardized reports, which free clinicians from the time-consuming process of creating report templates. Although the transition to structured reporting requires a significant upfront investment of time and resources, the benefits are worth the effort: improved clinical efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, better resource management, and the end of double documentation.
In a highly regulated environment, providers need structured reporting to effectively manage their customized clinical workflows. When combined with a single-database cardiology solution, structured reports can improve communication, data aggregation, and imaging reimbursement.

Key benefits of cardiovascular structured reporting
Providers using a full enterprise suite of Cardiovascular Information Systems (CVIS), Hemo, ECG and structured reporting on a single database enter data only once. The data automatically flows into the structured report, eliminating repetitive entry and reducing errors. A single-database system also reduces the need for interfaces that can contribute to data-integrity challenges and result in a higher total cost of ownership. Adopting structured reporting helps organizations:

- Increase billing and reimbursement accuracy
Structured reporting provides standardized billing and coding keywords to help ensure that clinical documentation includes details that properly describe a procedure and why it was done. Structured reports help providers avoid missed and rejected claims.

- Improve documentation quality and speed
By linking structured and unstructured data, organizations promote consistency, avoid double charting, and eliminate missing data. Structured reports use predefined sentences, procedure-notes helpers, and auto-populated procedure notes and patient data to facilitate complete procedure documentation. Reports are completed immediately after the procedure, as there is no need for a transcriptionist.

- Focus on patient care and quality outcomes

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