In accordance with § 32.1-276.9:1 of the Code of Virginia, the State Health Commissioner is instructed to report on the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Health Information Needs Workgroup on an annual basis. The report is prepared by the nonprofit organization with which the State Health Commissioner contracts to (i) compile, store, analyze, and evaluate health data submitted by Virginia health care providers; (ii) operates the All-Payer Claims Database; and (iii) measures the efficiency and productivity of health care providers that operate in the Commonwealth. The State Health Commissioner is responsible for submitting the report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1st each year.

The nonprofit organization, Virginia Health Information (VHI) deferred meetings of the full Health Information Needs Workgroup in 2024 as the General Assembly passed no new bills which significantly changed the current healthcare data reporting requirements. VHI continued collaborating with relevant stakeholders throughout calendar year 2024 to maintain current requirements as well as discuss potential expansion(s). The findings and recommendations resulting from the stakeholder partnership exchanges are listed below.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION ITEMS

1. Pursue expansion of Virginia Outpatient Level Data – VHI will continue to work with the VDH to respond to comments received regarding the periodic review of Virginia regulation 12VAC5-218 Rules and Regulations Governing Outpatient Health Data Reporting.

2. Expand the functionality of the Public Health Reporting Pathway (PHRP) – Now that VHI has transitioned its technology vendor for the PHRP, a stronger repository of public health messaging data can be constructed with additional funding to better meet the needs of the VDH and the broad healthcare community.

3. Pursue adding standardized ratios used within Certificate of Public Need (COPN) applications to existing Annual Licensure Survey Data (ALSD) Publications: VHI will outline, and present potential metrics derived from the State Health Services Plan and Weldon Cooper Population Data Center to an industry workgroup for review.

4. Assess data needs that are currently not addressed through current inventory of Virginia programs: VHI will assess which program enhancements and additions are necessary to meet Virginia healthcare stakeholders’ needs over the next year.

5. Increase connectivity in the Smartchart program with the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and Virginia psychiatric hospitals: VHI and the Department of Health Professions (DHP) will continue to collaborate to expand the level of audit-compliant PMP information and access that Virginia providers have through the Smartchart program. VHI continues to work with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to develop an implementation plan for Virginia state psychiatric hospitals to join the Smartchart network consistent with relevant legislative requirements. An implementation plan is being developed for onboarding private psychiatric hospitals as well.