The Health Data Utility (HDU) Maturity Model was developed by the Consortium for State and Regional Interoperability (CSRI) in 2023 and served as a map for HDUs to bring structure for states and health data organizations to clarify, advance and apply the HDU concept. It was a useful step to start aligning definitions and capability; however, it was a three level approach and a more robust, specific model was the goal.
The HDU Capability Model that was released last October, and refined this past May, has a more specific and practical method for characterizing and assessing the capability and maturity of HDUs for the stakeholders who use their information.
IHIE has been integrally involved in the development of these guidelines as a founding member of the organization, and President and CEO John Kansky serves as the board president.
At the Civitas Networks for Health Annual Conference in September the first member self-assessments using the new HDU Capability Model were presented. All six CSRI members who utilized the tool scored themselves against its 175 capabilities across five stakeholders: public health, payers, providers, researchers, and patients. Examples of the capabilities they are measuring include: dental/oral health provider connectivity, social determinants of health, and population health analytics and predictive modeling.
They discovered some gaps in the model which will help shape the next version. However, the process itself was helpful to the members as they consider their own internal operations and capabilities.
“Having the members take the-self assessment is a crucial step in getting valuable data and feedback as to how the HDU Capability Model is actually working,” said J. Marc Overhage, MD, PhD, chief executive officer, CSRI. “Feedback has always been at the core of this process – the friction is where the learning is. Analyzing this new data from our members will help us refine the model, advance our strategy, and ultimately help us continue demonstrating HDU value to stakeholders.”
The participating members were Contexture, CRISP, CyncHealth, Indiana Health Information Exchange, Manifest MedEx and New York eHealth Collaborative.
The next steps are to continually improve the model based on feedback and to have more HDUs take the assessment. In addition, CSRI is launching a Capability Model Learning Community, a founding group of more than 40 HIEs, where participants can get expert scoring and reviews and peer collaboration.
