GWTG Registry Data Abstraction Services

Collecting accurate and timely data for the Get With The Guidelines registry can be a challenging task for healthcare facilities. Our GWTG registry data abstraction services streamline this process, freeing your team to focus on critical tasks that enhance patient care and improve outcomes.

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Why Choose Us?           Stroke Certifications           Case Study           Benefits of Outsourcing           FAQs

GWTG Registry Data Abstraction Services

Jump to

Why Choose Us?           Stroke Certifications           Case Study           Benefits of Outsourcing           FAQs

What is Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)?

The Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program, developed by the American Heart Association, is a hospital-based quality improvement initiative. It provides healthcare facilities with tools and resources to improve patient outcomes for stroke and cardiovascular care through adherence to evidence-based guidelines. The GWTG registry collects and analyzes data to help hospitals implement best practices, improve patient care, and reduce healthcare costs.

Why Choose Our GWTG Registry Data Abstraction Services?

Flexible and Scalable Solutions

Just need help with GWTG stroke abstraction? We offer partial outsourcing to fit your specific needs, whether you require assistance with only the GWTG-Stroke Registry or additional support across multiple registries. Our services are flexible and scalable, ensuring you get the right level of support to maintain compliance and improve patient care without overextending your resources.

Reduce Workload

Outsourcing your GWTG data abstraction to us significantly reduces the workload on your clinical staff, allowing your team to focus on critical patient care tasks and quality improvement initiatives. Additionally, by offloading the time-consuming management of abstraction, as a department leader you can focus your time and energy on the key goal senior leadership expects of quality directors and managers: Building a High-Reliability Organization.

Improve Data Accuracy with Experts

Our seasoned professionals excel in GWTG data abstraction, ensuring accurate and efficient data collection. We stay updated with the latest guidelines and maintain high standards through rigorous training and quality control, including our industry-leading inter rater reliability process. This commitment ensures a 98% or higher accuracy rate across all clients and registries.

Comprehensive Abstraction Services

Our GWTG registry data abstraction services include:

  • Data Collection: Systematic and thorough collection of required data elements from patient records.
  • Data Submission: Timely and accurate submission of data to the GWTG registry, ensuring compliance with all requirements.
  • Quality Assurance: Continuous quality checks and inter-rater reliability assessments to maintain the highest levels of accuracy.

Certification Management Made Easy with GWTG Stroke Abstraction

GWTG-stroke abstraction certificationsMaintaining stroke certification, whether as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital (ASRH), Primary Stroke Center (PSC), Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC), or Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), requires precise data management and compliance with stringent guidelines. Many hospitals meet their stroke certification requirements by participating in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Registry.

In addition to national certifications, state-level designations often necessitate GWTG-Stroke Abstraction to uphold high standards of patient care. For healthcare facilities striving to maintain these certifications, our GWTG stroke abstraction services are indispensable. We ensure your data is collected accurately and submitted timely, meeting all regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Why Choose Our GWTG-Stroke Abstraction Services?

Expertise and Accuracy: Our team is proficient in GWTG Stroke abstraction, ensuring the data collected is accurate, complete, and compliant with GWTG Stroke abstraction guidelines to meet The Joint Commission and state-specific requirements.

Reduced Administrative Burden: By outsourcing your GWTG-Stroke abstraction needs to us, you can alleviate the administrative workload on your staff, allowing them to focus on direct patient care and other critical tasks.

Compliance Assurance: We stay up-to-date with all regulatory changes and requirements, ensuring your data submission remains compliant and your certification status is secure.

Quality Improvement: Accurate GWTG Stroke abstraction supports quality improvement initiatives, helping your facility achieve better patient outcomes and maintain its prestigious stroke certification.

Contact Us: Ensure your certification management is streamlined and effective with our specialized GWTG stroke abstraction services. Contact us today to learn how we can support your hospital in maintaining high standards of stroke care and certification compliance.

GWTG Data Abstraction Case Study:
Enhancing Stroke Care at Loma Linda University Health

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Loma Linda University Health, a six-hospital system in California, faced a significant challenge when their previous data abstraction vendor experienced a disruption. The Assistant Vice President of Quality & Patient Safety, Brenda Bruneau, MBA, RN, needed a reliable partner to ensure continued compliance and performance improvement.

The Problem: Vendor Disruption and Need for Continuity

Loma Linda University Health had been outsourcing data abstraction for many years. However, organizational changes within their previous vendor led to a loss of key resources and the inability to meet contract requirements. This situation prompted Bruneau to seek an alternative solution.

The Solution: Partnership with ADN 

One of Loma Linda’s hospitals was currently working with ADN and thus knew our capabilities firsthand. This positive experience led to the selection of ADN as their new systemwide data abstraction partner. The transition to ADN was described by Bruneau as “one of the smoothest transitions from any vendor standpoint.” ADN’s team quickly integrated into Loma Linda’s workflow, handling both Core Measures and registry abstractions, including the GWTG stroke abstraction.

The Outcome: Improved Performance and Strategic Use of Resources 

With ADN handling the routine data abstraction tasks, Loma Linda was able to reallocate their clinical personnel to focus on performance improvement projects. This shift led to significant enhancements in stroke treatment documentation and compliance with Comprehensive Stroke Center requirements. Bruneau noted that their former abstractors became key partners in quality improvement initiatives, driving better patient outcomes and achieving high compliance rates without the need for constant human intervention.

Read the full case study about our GWTG Data Abstraction Partnership with Loma Linda University Health here →

Benefits of Outsourcing GWTG Data Abstraction

Cost Savings 

Outsourcing data abstraction can lead to significant cost savings by reducing the need for in-house staff dedicated to this time-consuming task. Our per-chart pricing model provides a cost-effective solution for managing your data abstraction needs.

Enhanced Focus on Quality Improvement

With the burden of data abstraction lifted, your team can dedicate more time and resources to analyzing data and implementing quality improvement initiatives, leading to better patient outcomes and higher overall performance.

Scalability and Flexibility

Our services are scalable to meet the needs of your facility, whether you require full-scale data abstraction or support for specific registries. We can adjust our services to accommodate changes in volume and requirements.

Proven Track Record

American Data Network (ADN) has a proven track record of excellence in clinical data abstraction. Our clients have experienced significant improvements in data accuracy, cost savings, and overall operational efficiency. Additionally, ADN was named one of the Top 10 Most Trusted Healthcare Companies in 2024 by The Healthcare Insights. This recognition underscores ADN’s commitment to excellence and trustworthiness in the healthcare industry. See the full article here.

Expertise in GWTG Registry Abstraction

Our team maintains an accuracy rate of 98% or higher, ensuring your GWTG registry data is precise and reliable. With an average of 23 years of experience in healthcare settings, including roles as nurses, doctors, and quality managers, our abstraction experts bring unparalleled knowledge and expertise to your GWTG needs.

Seamless Integration with Your GWTG Abstraction Processes

We work closely with your team to ensure our abstraction services integrate seamlessly with your existing workflows. Our goal is to provide a smooth transition and continuous support to make the data abstraction process as efficient and stress-free as possible.

“When we made the transition to ADN, it was probably one of the smoothest transitions from any vendor standpoint. And I’m not just talking about abstraction. We use vendors for lots of things in hospitals. It was a very, very smooth transition to onboard all of the work that we’d previously been doing with another vendor.”

Read the full GWTG Data Abstraction Case Study here.

Assistant Vice President of Quality & Patient Safety, Brenda Bruneau, MBA, RN
Loma Linda University Health

what we abstract

Explore the GWTG Registries

Focuses on improving the care of stroke patients.

Focuses on improving the care of the most complex stroke patients.

Aims to enhance treatment and outcomes for heart failure patients.

Concentrates on improving survival rates following cardiac arrest.

Dedicated to optimizing the management of atrial fibrillation.

Supports acute myocardial infarction (AMI), CAD and chest pain quality improvement activities.

Join Our Team: GWTG Data Abstraction Jobs

Are you passionate about improving quality and data accuracy in cardiovascular and stroke care? Join our team and explore exciting opportunities in GWTG data abstraction jobs. As a member of our dedicated team, you will play a vital role in abstracting and organizing clinical data, helping hospitals and healthcare providers enhance their quality of care. We are looking for individuals with a strong clinical background, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence. If you’re ready to contribute to meaningful work in a supportive and collaborative environment, consider applying for one of our GWTG data abstraction jobs.

FAQs about GWTG Data Abstraction

Our data abstractor training for the Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program is designed to be comprehensive and rigorous, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and efficiency. Our training program includes:

  1. Testing and Vetting: We start with a stringent testing and vetting process for all potential hires. This ensures that only those with a solid background and experience in clinical data abstraction join our team.
  2. Initial Training: Experienced abstractors undergo initial training to familiarize them with our specific processes, client needs, and GWTG registry requirements. This includes detailed instruction on our data abstraction techniques, coding standards, and client-specific guidelines to ensure seamless integration into our workflows.
  3. Ongoing Education: To keep up with evolving GWTG standards and guidelines, our abstractors participate in continuous education. This includes regular updates on changes to GWTG guidelines, new best practices, and advancements in data abstraction technology.
  4. Quality Assurance: We implement strict quality assurance measures, including regular inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessments, to ensure our abstractors maintain the highest levels of accuracy and consistency in their work.
  5. Hands-On Experience: Our training includes practical, hands-on experience with real-world GWTG data abstraction scenarios. This helps our abstractors develop the skills and confidence needed to handle the complexities of GWTG data abstraction efficiently.
  6. Support and Feedback: Our abstractors receive ongoing support and feedback from our team of experienced professionals. This includes one-on-one mentoring, regular performance reviews, and access to a wealth of resources to help them continuously improve their skills.

By investing in such rigorous training, we ensure that our abstractors are well-equipped to deliver precise and reliable GWTG data abstraction services, ultimately helping our clients achieve their quality improvement goals.

The Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program includes several clinical registries maintained by the American Heart Association aimed at improving patient care. These registries capture data on various aspects of patient treatment and outcomes. Examples include:

  • GWTG-Stroke: Focuses on improving the care of stroke patients.
  • GWTG-Comprehensive Stroke: Targets improving the care of the most complex stroke patients.
  • GWTG-Heart Failure: Aims to enhance treatment and outcomes for heart failure patients.
  • GWTG-Resuscitation: Concentrates on improving survival rates following cardiac arrest.
  • GWTG-AFIB: Dedicated to optimizing the management of atrial fibrillation.
  • GWTG-CAD: Supports acute myocardial infarction (AMI), CAD and chest pain quality improvement activities.

ADN’s GWTG registry abstraction services help ensure that the data collected is accurate and complete, supporting national benchmarks and research​​.

The GWTG-Stroke abstraction guidelines are a set of standardized procedures and criteria developed by the American Heart Association to ensure accurate and consistent data collection for the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) registry. These guidelines outline the specific data elements that need to be abstracted from patient records, the definitions and coding instructions for each element, and the timeframes for data submission. Adhering to the GWTG Stroke abstraction guidelines is crucial for hospitals to maintain compliance with The Joint Commission and state-level stroke certification requirements, as well as to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes for stroke patients. For more detailed information, you can visit the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke page.

Registry abstraction is the process of extracting and organizing specific data elements from patient medical records for use in clinical data registries. This involves identifying, collecting, and coding data to ensure accuracy and completeness. GWTG abstraction services streamline this process, allowing healthcare organizations to focus on quality improvement and patient outcomes.

Clinical data abstraction involves the systematic collection of clinical data from patient records for use in registries, research, and quality improvement. This process ensures that relevant information is accurately recorded and readily available for analysis. GWTG data abstraction focuses specifically on data related to various aspects of patient care, contributing to improved patient outcomes and adherence to best practices​​.

The Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program aims to improve cardiovascular and stroke care by providing healthcare professionals with evidence-based guidelines and performance improvement tools. By collecting and analyzing data from participating hospitals, GWTG helps healthcare providers adhere to best practices, reduce disparities in care, and enhance patient outcomes through continuous quality improvement​​​​.

Per-chart abstraction times vary based on the GWTG registry type. For example, GWTG stroke abstraction cases can range on average from 30 to 70 minutes per chart, depending on the complexity of the case and the experience of the abstractor. Factors that can affect abstraction times include case complexity, length of stay (LOS), quality and consistency of EHR documentation, abstractor training and turnover, and job-related distractions or interruptions​​.

Given the clinical complexity required for accurate GWTG abstractions, nurses or staff with experience in patient care and quality improvement are often preferred. Other common positions include clinical data abstractors with experience in registry data collection and coding​​.

If your team is already at capacity, a trusted data abstraction partner like American Data Network can help. Our team can easily scale up when you want to add a registry. ADN’s per-chart pricing model provides a cost-effective solution for managing additional data abstraction needs​​.

  • Enhanced Data Accuracy: Expert abstractors ensure precise and consistent data collection.
  • Cost Savings: Reduces expenses related to hiring, training, and maintaining in-house teams.
  • Focus on Performance Improvement: Frees up clinical staff to concentrate on patient care and improvement initiatives.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Quickly adjust to changes in workload and registry requirements.
  • Specialized Expertise: Access to professionals who stay updated with the latest GWTG guidelines.
  • Improved Turnaround Times: Faster data processing to meet reporting deadlines efficiently.
  • Risk Mitigation: Continuity and stability despite staff turnover or leave.
  • Reduced Staff Stress: Lowers workload and stress on in-house staff, enhancing job satisfaction​​​​​​.

ADN maintains a high standard for accuracy through a stringent vetting and testing process for new hires. Our expert abstractors have an average of 23 years of experience working in healthcare settings as nurses, doctors, and quality managers or staff. Many also hold credentials such as CPHQ or are working towards it​​​​​​.

ADN’s abstraction team makes weekly progress on all populations, with a typical turnaround time of 30 days after receiving your patient lists. While a 30-day turnaround is most common, we work closely with our clients to align timelines with their established processes. ADN has the resources and personnel to ramp up quickly and meet your GWTG abstraction needs​​.

Inter-Rater Reliability (IRR) is performed throughout the clinical data lifecycle on a sample of cases for each registry ADN abstracts for your organization. Initially, IRR is conducted at the beginning of the engagement to ensure our abstractors understand your documentation tendencies. Routine IRR maintains accuracy standards. Certain events, such as specification changes to measures or registries, expansions of our scope of work, or assignment of a new abstractor to your account, can trigger additional IRR outside the regular schedule. IRR is a key component of any successful GWTG abstraction program and is inherent to ADN’s abstraction solution. Check out our Comprehensive IRR Guide for Clinical Data Abstraction for more details​​.

During the initial logistics meeting, we work closely with your team to establish communication protocols for fallouts. Your team will continue to monitor opportunities for improvement (OFIs) by running and reviewing reports available in your data collection tool. ADN commonly utilizes a shared spreadsheet to track OFIs within specific measure sets and registries. Additionally, your ADN account lead can attend regular meetings where improvement opportunities are discussed, using the hourly management fee to handle compensation​​​​.

Yes, ADN can assume full responsibility or partner with your team to optimize registry management processes. These processes include overseeing program requirements, evidence-based guidelines, abstraction specifications, submission standards and deadlines, dashboard updates, reporting and benchmarking analyses, data validation, and more. Outsourcing these tasks to ADN ensures your GWTG program is efficient, compliant, and impactful. Check out our feature on Best Practices for Effectively Managing Your GWTG Registry​​.

Your dedicated ADN account lead will provide feedback throughout your engagement with ADN, ensuring that all abstractors assigned to your account function as an extension of your GWTG team. ADN can also offer additional consulting services beyond chart abstraction, including follow-up, special reports, or analytics, with compensation handled through an hourly fee​​.

Get Started with Our GWTG Data Abstraction Services

Ready to improve your GWTG data collection process? Contact us today to learn more about how our GWTG registry data abstraction services, including GWTG stroke abstraction, can benefit your facility. Our team is here to provide the support you need to achieve your quality and patient care goals.

Contact Us Today: Fill out our contact form below or call us at 501-225-5533 to discuss your GWTG abstraction needs with one of our experts.

Outsourcing your GWTG data abstraction burden to American Data Network means you can focus more on your core competency of improving patient care, rather than on the tedious task of routine data collection. Our experienced team ensures accuracy, compliance, and efficiency, helping you meet your registry requirements with ease.

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