In this world of audits and surveys by anyone and everyone, the healthcare industry is left with few tools to collect the pertinent data needed to address the audit or survey. Most facilities struggle with lengthy and costly system integrations to get at their data, or simply try to get by with creating something to work the data themselves. Usually, this involves the facility’s Information Systems’ time and expense as well as the time and expense associated with the vendor whose software hosts the desired data. Commonly used tools such as Microsoft’s Excel or Access have functional limits and rarely do the job to the full extent of what is needed. 

After listening to frustrated customers tell us of limitations they have with current tools, CPR Technologies presents “Plato Analysis”, a unique aggregation and analytical tool for the analysis of healthcare data. Plato Analysis is designed such that it provides a simplistic interface for the average user in that they can mine databases often with little or no technical help. Make no mistake, however. Plato Analysis is able to meet the rigors of the sophisticated decision support person as well. 

How does it work?

Boasting a proprietary and extensible Relational SQL Engine developed and fine-tuned over the course of 10+ years, Plato Analysis Professional brings this technology to bear on the main problem facing Healthcare today that is, getting at the collective value present in data residing in different computer systems. The time has now arrived when the user can retrieve this data and derive valuable insight analyzing a single view of complex data, where, in essence, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Imagine the following scenario. Your department needs to analyze the recoupment paid out to Medicare for a given physician. The nature of this type of analysis would include reviewing data found in the MPI system (for Patient Account Information), a Transcription Database (where the substantiating documentation resides), a Coding Database (where the final billing codes reside) and finally an Audit Results database (where the claims data resides). Plato Analysis solves this problem by assembling the various database tables found in all the desired systems and presenting them as if they are all part of one database. The user can then visually link the tables together by simply dragging the mouse from a field in one table to a field in another table to define the relationship, as in the figure below.

Looking at the previous diagram, it becomes clear that working with multiple databases is significantly simplified by the Plato Analysis Query Builder. Simply select the databases you want to work with, link your tables, select the fields to retrieve, and then click ‘Run Analysis’. All data will be retrieved, aggregated and loaded into sophisticated analyzers, dashboards and data tables for your subsequent analysis.

Data Tables and Logic Bases

A Data Table simply holds the results of your query. The data in a Data Table may then be used in a variety of ways, including exporting the data, sending the data to the Analyzers, Dashboards, or Plato Analysis Report Writer to create a presentation ready report, or applying custom scripting against the data.

Plato Analysis supports a JavaScript IDE for programming against the retrieved data set . Uses of scripting may be to define what might be overpayments based on Charge Data and Length of Stays, or to determine what records meet the criteria for focus reviews, e.g. Account records for a given Physician for a given DRG where Medical Necessity was not met. Scripting is open ended and can contain any rules that may be applied to any data. The filtered or processed data may then be used to generate another data table possessing all of its capabilities.

Analyzers and Graphs

Analyzers and Graphs are what give Plato Analysis its distinctive ease of use without sacrificing functionality and sophisticated analysis. You may use an analyzer to slice and dice data in a way that is just not possible with traditional pivot tables. With the tight integration of the Plato Analysis charting components, creating presentation ready charts is as simple as highlighting the desired data; Plato Analysis does the rest.

 The following figures demonstrate the tight integration between Analyzers and Charts.

Figure: Pie Chart showing the count per quarter of accounts reviewed. Simply dragging the mouse over the desired data automatically generates the graph.

Figure: Bar and Line Chart showing the historical data for Original Charges, with a Projection for 2 months following the historical data. The Bars were generated automatically via the highlighted data; the projection line is generated via the Projection Button (not seen) on the main toolbar.

Dashboards

What use is a program that can’t display views of your data in a visually appealing dashboard? Not a problem. User defined dashboards are available to help you view your data in the way that you want to see it. Drag and drop dashboard elements to where you want them. Once your dashboards are defined, save and recall them with ease. Simply click the Refresh Data button to update your dashboard with the latest data. Dashboard Elements include but are not limited to Chart variations, Gauges, Pivot Grids, Cards, Grids, and more. Full color dashboards may be printed as WYSIWYG reports. Refer to the figures below for examples dashboards created in Plato Analysis Professional.

Figure: A dashboard created with Plato Analysis. Displayed are various metrics dealing with audit statistics. Dashboard Elements shown include Bar Charts, a Pie Chart, and Cards showing trending costs

Figure: Another complimentary dashboard to the above figure created with Plato Analysis. Displayed are additional metrics dealing with audit statistics. Dashboard Elements shown include Bar Charts, Line Charts, and Pie Charts representing Enterprise trends.

Report Writing

In addition to the data tables, analyzers, and charts, Plato Analysis boasts a very powerful but easy to use Report Writer. The Report Writer is very tightly integrated with the other components of Plato Analysis and provides a canvas under which the user can take the results of a query and create presentation ready reports for distribution. Additionally, many other visual components, e.g. Lines, Labels, Shapes, Tables, Pivot Grids, Sub Reports, and more, are available to the user to further customize the report. Choose Print Preview and you have automatic feedback on what the report will look like. To illustrate the point, refer to the figures below.

Figure: Report Designer displaying data received from a Plato Analysis analyzer and pie chart. Note on the left the various user interface elements that may be used to customize the report.

Simply adjust the report objects, hit Print Preview, and get automatic feedback on the report design. To adjust the report to the desired look, simply click the Report Designer tab to be placed back into the Report Designer; click Print Preview to review the new changes, and so on. The Plato Analysis Report Writer rivals well known report writers in their capability but exceeds them in its simplicity of use.

Figure: The immediate feedback provided by the Report Writer. Displayed is a simple Pivot Grid and Pie Chart displaying the audit counts for each Quarter. To further customize the report; simply click the Report Designer tab to make your modifications.

Summary

Plato Analysis presents to the user a comprehensive solution and consolidation of tools that are used in performing data mining and analysis. Embedded within are advanced Query Builders able to aggregate data that spans Multiple Database targets, sophisticated data tables, analyzers and graphs, user defined Dashboards, and a Report Writer rivaling capabilities of the higher end and more expensive report writers. Get started in analyzing your data right away.

• Advanced Visual Query Builders that span different database architectures; Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Firebird, Postgre SQL, MySQL, Microsoft Access/Excel, Text Files and any other ODBC data source
• Data Tables and JavaScript scripting integration which may be applied to retrieved data matching said rules. As an example, use scripting to proactively identify RAC or MIC targets.
• User defined dashboards for creating visually appealing and effective ways at looking at your data
• Analyzers and Graphs - Analyzers and Graphs are what give Plato Analysis its distinctive ease of use without sacrificing functionality and sophisticated analysis. Use an analyzer to slice and dice data in a way that is just not possible with traditional pivot tables. With the tight integration of the Plato Analysis charting components, creating presentation ready charts is as simple as highlighting the desired data; Plato Analysis does the rest.
• Report Writing - Plato Analysis boasts a very powerful but easy to use Report Writer. The Report Writer is very tightly integrated with the other components of Plato Analysis and provides a canvas under which the user can take the results of a query and create presentation ready reports for distribution

For further information on how to obtain Plato Analysis, please contact sales at 661-367-6600 below or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..