Revenue cycle: Metrics to master, mistakes to avoid

The focus on electronic health record implementation has turned to how to make use of the vast data stored within to improve revenue cycle operations. "These EHRs capture so much data. The trick is translating that data into information," said Cynthia Sikina, vice president of Financial Services with consulting firm Afia. The EHR is not providing revenue cycle directors with the advanced metrics they need to monitor and manage revenue cycle performance, according to Chuck Alsdurf, director of Healthcare Finance Policy for the Healthcare Financial Management Association. What he often hears, Alsdurf said, is "We don't have a canned tool kit from our revenue cycle platform."