How Do You Measure Up?
Tracking Operations
& Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons
21 Patient Safety2
HOw dO I geT sTarTed?
Visit PlasticSurgery.org/TOPS
There, you can learn more and request a username and password.
Sign up for a TOPS Training Session by contacting the TOPS vendor, Outcome Sciences:
Phone: 1-866-316-6947
email: TOPS_Support@Outcome.com TOPs HIsTOry
TOPSSM (Tracking Operations & Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons) is a HIPAA compliant, secure and confidential national database of plastic surgery procedures and outcomes. Launched in 2002, TOPS was designed to provide plastic surgeons with a mechanism to submit clinical and demographic information into multiple, confidential databases, minimize redundant data entry and provide clinical/practice information to plastic surgeons and their specialty. As an electronic database, case information is entered online or via physician practice management software.
In October 2007, TOPs version 2.0 was released. Upgrades include:
n Enhanced querying and benchmarking reporting functions n Enhanced CPT® and ICD-9 search functions
n Improved participants’ ease of use, such as pre-populating fields and templates for common procedures
n Integration with the ASPS Association Management System n Webinar training and ongoing support
TOPs has become an integral part of asPs efforts and is utilized in many of the organization’s key initiatives including:
n Development of evidence-based practice parameters n Monitoring clinical outcomes and emerging trends n Supporting research and educational programs
n Compilation of the National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Statistics
TOPS becomes more powerful as more members use the system.
wHy Use TOPs?
Practice Benefits:
n Provides the ability to efficiently follow patients over time
n Stores procedure and outcome information to track and improve quality of patient care
n Assists in negotiations with managed care organizations
n Provides a comprehensive case list with patient outcomes to utilize for hospital credentials and privileges
n Creates reports for insurance/malpractice carriers n Monitors clinical outcomes and emerging trends
n Compares individual practice data and outcomes with real-time national averages and trends
specialty Benefits:
n Provides valid information to effectively respond to onerous state and federal regulations and legislation
n Demonstrates the quality of care provided by board-certified plastic surgeons n Reports valid procedural statistics to the media and public
n Supports the branding of the ASPS logo as the symbol of excellence in plastic surgery
4
earn UP TO 21 PaTIenT saFeTy CredITs
Objectives of This educational activity:
n To provide national data for members to use in evaluating their clinical practice
n To provide an evidence-based tool for members to use in comparing their patient outcomes n To facilitate identification of clinical strengths and areas needing improvement
Patient safety Credit
A maximum of 21 Patient Safety credits may be applied toward ASPS Patient Safety credit requirements during a TOPS participant’s three-year CME cycle. Members can fulfill their ASPS Patient Safety education requirements by participating in TOPS every year during the three-year CME cycle.
TOPS participants who submit their case information into the TOPS program can earn a maximum of 1 Patient Safety credit and 1 AMA PRA Category 2 Credit™ per month for each month that they participate in the program, up to a maximum of 7 Patient Safety credits and AMA PRA Category 2 Credits™ per calendar year. To be eligible to earn Patient Safety credit and AMA PRA Category 2 Credit™, a minimum of eight (8) completed cases must be entered during a one-month time period.
Converting eligible Patient safety Credit into earned Patient safety Credit
Patient Safety credits are awarded after the TOPS participant completes the following steps:
n Selects and runs either an Outcomes or Complications report n Reviews the selected report and checks the box on the report that indicates he/she has reviewed the report
Both steps are required in order to convert eligible Patient Safety credits into earned Patient Safety credits.
On a monthly basis, a report indicating the amount of Patient Safety credit earned will be sent from TOPS to the individual participant’s ASPS CME record.
CMe deadlines
To have credit summarized on your current year CME transcript (available to ASPS members only), credit reply materials must be postmarked or submitted by midnight, January 31 of the previous year. Credit materials received after the deadline will be reflected on the following year’s transcript.
Subscribers who submit their data electronically will receive verification of credits earned via email. Members of ASPS have 24 hour access to their CME Report by logging into their member account at PlasticSurgery.org.
For non-technical questions about this activity, please contact Member Services at (847) 228-9900 or memserv@plasticsurgery.org.
21Sample outcome report of DVT complications for CPT code 30400.
enHanCed rePOrTIng CaPaBIlITIes
How do you measure up?
TOPS 2.0 offers several real-time reports that will allow you to benchmark against all physicians or your practice type (i.e. solo practice). Participants can customize the benchmarking reports based on:
n Time period
n Procedure type: anatomy and classification, or up to eight CPT codes or all procedures
Benchmark report types:
n Demographics n Risk factors n Outcomes
IndIvIdUal rePOrTs
Credentialing report
TOPS 2.0 offers a credentialing report that will allow participants to review their individual data by facility. Participants can customize their individual report based on:
n Date range
n Pt Name / MR # (participants have the choice of name, MR#, both or neither) n Facility Name(s)
n Procedure type: Description and up to 5 CPT codes or all procedures n Benchmarking group: no
benchmark group, all physicians or practice type
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Sample report utilizing DAT
Custom fields - patient language
IndIvIdUal daTa analysIs TOOl (daT)
DAT is an optional feature, which allows participants to analyze and display their individual clinical information in a variety of graphics (i.e. pie chart, bar chart).
DAT is available upon request at no cost.
CUsTOM FIelds
The optional Custom Fields form allows participants to develop specific fields that are unique to their individual practice. This feature allows participants to select a custom display label and choose the characteristics of the data points (i.e. single check box, text, multi-select, drop down list, etc.). The information in the custom fields is limited to the individual practice.
TeCHnICal TIPs
Outcome sciences recommends the following minimal system settings:
n Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP or higher n Internet Connection: Broadband (512 Kb/s or greater) n Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 6 or higher
n Other Software: Microsoft Excel 2000 or higher, Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or Adobe Reader 7.0 or higher, WinZip 8 or higher
Technical support is available from the Outcome sciences Help desk.
Phone: 1-866-316-6947
email: TOPS_Support@Outcome.com Online: PlasticSurgery.org/TOPS
FaQs
wHaT sHOUld Be enTered InTO THe TOPs sysTeM?
All of your procedures should be entered into TOPS. Procedures include, but are not limited to, activities requiring any type of anesthesia (general, conscious sedation, epidural, spinal, MAC, block, local, tumescent, or topical). Procedures also include BOTOX® and collagen injections,
treatment of spider veins, nevus excision, tattoo removal, and skin care such as chemical peels and laser treatments.
are all OF THe FIelds On THe Case rePOrT FOrM reQUIred?
No. The fields that are preceded by an asterisk are the required fields, as well as a combination of other fields conditionally required dependent on answers to other questions. While not all fields are required, it is strongly encouraged that you complete all fields in order to ensure a rich database for benchmarking reports.
Is TOPs 2.0 COMPaTIBle wITH sMarT PHOnes?
TOPS 2.0 does not ensure compatibility with mobile browsers.
Can I sTIll sHare My aBPs MOC-PC™ Cases wITH asPs?
Yes, the ABPS cooperates with the ASPS in the TOPS program. The ABPS MOC-PS profile screen will continue to offer you the choice of submitting case data to ASPS.
Is THere a Fee TO ParTICIPaTe In TOPs?
No. It is a FREE benefit provided to ASPS members.
a recorded training session is available
upon request.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons 444 East Algonquin Road Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4664 Plasticsurgery.org/TOPs 5188
