Before you start measuring the impact of CMS, you need to define what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. Your goals and indicators should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, your goal could be to reduce hospital readmissions by 10% within six months for patients with chronic conditions. Your indicator could be the number and percentage of readmissions within 30 days of discharge for this patient group.
Prior to commencing the impact assessment, it is essential to clearly define the desired outcomes and establish measurable metrics for their evaluation. Adhering to the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) criteria ensures that the assessment process is well-structured and effective.
Next, you need to decide what data sources and tools you will use to collect and analyze the information related to your indicators. You may use existing data sources, such as electronic health records, claims data, or surveys, or you may need to create new ones, such as interviews, focus groups, or case studies. You also need to choose appropriate tools to store, manage, and process the data, such as spreadsheets, databases, or software applications.
To measure the impact of CMS, you need to have a baseline and a comparison. A baseline is the value of your indicator before you implement or change your CMS. A comparison is the value of your indicator after you implement or change your CMS, or the value of your indicator for a similar group of patients who do not receive CMS. You can use different methods to establish your baseline and comparison, such as pre-post, post-only, or quasi-experimental designs.
Once you have collected and processed your data, you need to analyze and interpret your results. You can use different methods to analyze your data, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, or qualitative analysis. You also need to interpret your results in relation to your goals and indicators, and consider the limitations, assumptions, and biases that may affect your findings. For example, you may find that CMS reduced hospital readmissions by 8%, but you also need to account for other factors that may have influenced the outcome, such as patient characteristics, provider behavior, or system changes.
The final step is to communicate and apply your findings to improve your CMS and patient outcomes. You can use different formats and channels to communicate your findings, such as reports, presentations, newsletters, or webinars. You also need to tailor your message to your audience, such as patients, providers, managers, or funders. You should highlight the main findings, the implications, and the recommendations for action. You should also apply your findings to inform your decisions, policies, and practices related to CMS, and monitor and evaluate the changes and impacts over time.