Many leading hospitals in healthcare quality have begun outsourcing data abstraction of Registries and Core Measures. But why is this trend becoming so popular? What are the specific reasons to outsource data abstraction when your facility has traditionally handled it in-house? In this article, we explore the key benefits of making this shift.
First and foremost, outsourcing Core Measures and Registry data abstraction is a strategic and cost-efficient way of expanding your team of experts. When you outsource, the salaries and benefits for abstractors become the responsibility of the outsourcing company, not your facility. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about the costs associated with turnover when an abstractor leaves your department. By outsourcing, you can eliminate the expenses related to hiring, training, and the productivity lags that come with onboarding new staff. In essence, outsourcing makes financial sense, particularly when considering the opportunity cost in healthcare—resources spent on internal abstraction could be better allocated to direct patient care or strategic initiatives. This is one of the most compelling reasons to outsource data abstraction.
Accurate chart abstraction is tedious and consumes valuable time. Besides completing lengthy forms and performing follow-ups, outsourced abstractors also manage the task of reviewing specification manuals to ensure your team stays up-to-date on ever-changing reporting requirements.
Consider this scenario: when a team member is unavailable, what happens? You scramble. You feel the stress and may even find yourself stepping in to handle chart abstraction personally. Is that truly the best use of your time? With ongoing professional support, you’re in a much stronger position. Essentially, outsourcing can help you “turnover proof” your department. The partnering company will provide a team of specialists with expertise in various measures and registries.
As a result, you’ll be free to manage your department more effectively, maximizing your team’s output. This not only saves time but also improves the roi of outsourcing by allowing your team to focus on higher-value activities. Another important consideration when evaluating the reasons to outsource data abstraction is the significant time savings it offers.
Finally, many Quality departments become bogged down in the data collection process. However, reporting numbers is not enough. If you cannot allocate time to analyze that data, critical learning opportunities will slip by. With support from an adept abstraction service, your team can reclaim hours spent on chart abstraction and focus on analysis. This shift allows you to turn numbers into insights—into data-driven improvement strategies. Post-outsourcing strategies should then focus on leveraging these insights for continuous quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
In summary, outsourcing data abstraction allows Quality Directors to realign their department’s resources—both financial and human. By doing so, they can exponentially increase their achievements and enjoy greater peace of mind. While there may be common objections to outsourcing—such as concerns about losing control over the process or the quality of outsourced work—these can often be addressed through careful selection of a trusted partner and clear communication of expectations.
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