In a 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

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..

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..

Plato Data Analyzer Professional is an innovative and unique tool for the collection and analysis of data. Plato Data Analyzer Professional is an easy-to-use, multi-purpose data tracking and decision support tool. You can create a wide variety of applications that combine quick and efficient data collection and powerful dynamic reporting and graphing. Plato Data Analyzer Professional provides you with unlimited ways of designing comprehensive and complete baseline studies, focus reviews, compliance studies, competency studies, privilege profiles and more through easy to use review template and data workshops. Many distributed templates including but not limited to government mandated and in-house reviews, along with others various specialized topics centered around healthcare.

View a PowerPoint demonstration on features of Plato Data Analyzer Professional

Plato Data Analyzer Professional Concepts

Plato Data Analyzer Professional empowers the user with the ability to truly capture Review Topic information in a flexible and efficient manner – reducing paper and labor-intensive tasks. We have created a very flexible solution that allows editing and modifying any needed criteria items and staying current with both regulating entity and in-house regulating requirements. By design Plato Data Analyzer Professional helps our customers quickly adapt to changing demands.

Using the built-in review template editor, create new baseline studies with generalized criteria and focus reviews with more granular criteria. Set thresholds and default values for each criterion item, along with report display characteristics. You may create review templates from scratch, add and edit existing review templates, or base new review templates on existing ones.

 In entering data against reviews, the user may set a number of criterion to a given value all at once, individually set criterion attributes, override practitioner and departmental attributes, track event dates and comments at any criterion level and more. Previously entered studies are readily retrieved, edited, and augmented with new data as the concurrent review progresses. Attribution values include setting Yes/No/NA values, values based on a sliding scale and user defined attribution types such as Physician, Department, Facility, etc. Optional comments at the criteria level may be set.

Run any variation of provided reports, such as Comparative Profile, Qualitative Profiles measuring Physician to Department, Department to Facility and any combination therein. Other reports include Quarterly Comparative Profiles, Distribution Qualitative Profiles, General and Percentage compliance reports, and more. Build templates based on the report templates, saving the search criteria for future use and extending the reporting capabilities. For more advanced reporting, an interactive built in report writer is also available that rivals commercial top end report writers.

This unique feature is a visual data modeling tool that allows you to instantly view new relationships simply by dragging data from one location to another. Want to see departmental breakdowns per quarter on specific criterion? Point, click, and drag. Practitioners compared to each other in a specific department, broken down by month? Point, click and drag. The possibilities are endless. Even better, you can print out any view of data you create with your own headers and footers. Finally, instantly graph the new views of your data simply by highlighting the data to chart. Take this Expert Tool into your committee meetings and dynamically alter the presentation for the committee on demand!

Using a Dashboard gives you powerful visual control of your data. Views of this data can be expressed in a variety of Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Pivot Grids, Gauges and Cards with each chart offering options for value or percentage views, various plotting methods, and more. Easily change from one view to another with a simple mouse click. Define and create your own custom dashboards.

Create worksheet data entry fields that will be used by the enterprise or a single facility. Assign these fields to attribution tables for automated fill in of associated data.

Assign users to roles and role permission to Plato Data Analyzer review templated for easy administration of users rights and permissions.

Assign roles granular access rights. Add users to roles and assign roles topical rights. Easily make roles facility specific or enterprise wide.

Plato Data Analyzer supports out the box interfaces, including Real Time HL7 and Flat File Interfaces. Customize the incoming interface fields and map them to Plato Data Analyzer entry fields to allow for automated pull in of to be reviewed data. Set up pull list queues so that patient reviews are ‘auto funneled’ through to the data entry fields.

Plato Analysis

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 disparate database targets, sophisticated data tables, dashboards, analyzers and graphs, and a Report Writer rivaling capabilities of the higher end report writers. Along with custom business logic through 'logic bases' for datasets, you most certainly have all you need to get started in analyzing your data right away. Plato Analysis also now reads Plato Data Analyzer Professional Data Sets.

Read more about Plato Analysis

 Plato Data Analyzer Professional

Plato Data Analyzer is an innovative and unique tool for the collection and analysis of data. Plato Data Analyzer is an easy-to-use, multi-purpose data tracking and decision support tool. You can create a wide variety of applications that combine quick and efficient data collection and powerful dynamic reporting and graphing. Plato Data Analyzer Professional provides you with unlimited ways of designing comprehensive and complete baseline studies, focus reviews, compliance studies, competency studies, privilege profiles and more through easy to use review template and data workshops. Many distributed templates including but not limited to government mandated and in-house reviews, along with others various specialized topics centered around healthcare. Support for Yes/No/NA flagging and sliding scales.

Read more about Plato Data Analyzer

 View a PowerPoint demonstration on features of Plato Data Analyzer Professional