Microsoft subsidiary Nuance Communications and clinical analytics Covera Health have joined forces to introduce Quality Care Collaborative (QCC), a national radiology quality improvement program.
Bringing together Covera's clinical intelligence platform and Nuance's Precision Imaging Network, the QCC aims to facilitate collaboration between providers, payers, and employers on long-term, sustainable quality improvement programs; peer-learning initiatives; and value-based care efforts, according to the companies. Precision Imaging Network utilizes Microsoft's Azure cloud computing service and encompasses Nuance's PowerScribe radiology reporting software, PowerShare image sharing software, and artificial intelligence (AI) cloud infrastructure for integration of third-party imaging AI services.
Covera's patient safety organization, which has been certified by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), enables clinicians to share data and receive AI-based insights to improve care quality, the firms said. At no cost, all radiology practices in participating payers' networks can opt in to the QCC to gain access to a suite of quality analytics and AI tools within their workflow. Radiology groups can use the QCC to augment their existing quality improvement programs, while the draw for payers and self-insured employers is to improve outcomes for members and gain the best value for their healthcare spending, according to Nuance and Covera.
The initiative has already landed a big client: Walmart, a longtime Covera partner that has signed on as the first large employer to join the QCC.
