ACOs name interoperability as top challenge

A new report names interoperability as the biggest challenge facing accountable care organizations (ACOs).

Seventy-nine percent of respondents said connecting with providers outside of their ACO is a top challenge, according to a report from Premier and eHealth Initiative. The report, called "The Evolving Nature of Accountable Care," was compiled based on a survey of 68 ACOs.

More than half (53 percent) of ACOs have not integrated data from behavioral health providers; 48 percent have not integrated data from long-term and post-acute care providers; and 46 percent have not integrated data from palliative and hospice organizations.

Overall, 74 percent of ACOs use EHRs, according to survey results.

The survey also found the following:

  • 84 percent of respondents reported having data analytics software;
  • 61 percent reported having case management software;
  • 61 percent said they allowed their patients to access their medical records through an EHR portal;
  • 57 percent reported using computerized physician order entry;
  • 55 percent reported having a data warehouse;  
  • 44 percent reported having disease registries and population health dashboards;
  • 26 percent reported using telemedicine tools; and
  • 16 percent were involved in electronic remote patient monitoring.
Beth Walsh,

Editor

Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.