Brennan Named Head Of Office Of Enterprise Data And Analytics
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
CMS creates new office to oversee data collection and dissemination in transparency efforts.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the creation of a new Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics (OEDA). The office will be led by Niall Brennan as Chief Data Officer, according to a press release.
OEDA will be charged with oversight of data collection and dissemination in the agency’s efforts at greater transparency. OEDA will also aid the CMS “harness its vast data resources to guide decision-making and develop frameworks promoting appropriate external access to and use of data to drive higher quality, patient-centered care at a lower cost.”
The move comes in the wake of requirements that hold reporting programs responsible for generating healthcare data. The new office will help create a logical platform to access and analyze that required reported data.
Brennan previously headed agency efforts on data storage and dissemination, analytics, and the creation of information products for CMS, according to EHR Intelligence. “It’s clear how much data transparency will help the country improve outcomes, control costs and aid consumer decision making,” said CMS Principal Deputy Administrator Andy Slavitt. “This appointment signals to the industry that there is no turning back from the health care data agenda. Niall Brennan will help make sure CMS leads the way.”
The announcement also comes on the heels of a GAO report finding a lack of transparency in five so-called transparency tools operated by CMS including the Nursing home Compare, Dialysis Facility Compare, Home Health Compare, Hospital Compare, and Physician Compare. GAO found “substantial limitations in how the CMS tools present information, such as , in general, not using clear language and symbols, not summarizing and organizing information to highlight patters, and not enabling consumers to customize how information is presented.”
It is clear that this new office is, in part, designed to respond to transparency and access issues revealed by the GAO report. “Our commitment to transparency is matched by our commitment to keeping personal information safeguarded. We can't expect to advance health outcomes unless we also ensure that our policies and practices around data privacy are leading the way,” said Slavitt. “We look forward to building on the success of recent releases, providing a clearer picture of the health care delivery system.”