CROWNWeb Update
Network 6 recruited 24 facilities to participate in CROWNWeb Phase III.  There are several new enhancements in Phase III, also known as CROWNWeb 2.0.  In Phase III CMS is transitioning QIPs to the QualityNet Identity Management System (QIMS).  New roles are required in QIMS.  If you currently have a QIPS account no action is required in the QIMS systems.  The QIMS system has three user roles:

• End User Manager (EUM): The EUM authorizes and signs a QIMS account form for a new user.
• Security Official (SO): The Security Official certifies the driver’s license and verify information on the form.
• User: The user is anyone at the facility that needs access to CROWNWeb but does not serve as an EUM or SO.

Each facility is required to have a designated EUM and SO.  In most cases, the EUM and SO will need two accounts, one to perform tasks as the EUM or SO and one to perform user work in CROWNWeb.  Contact the Network to inform them of your EUM and SO.
CMS has re-scheduled the launch of CROWNWeb Phase 3 from January 2011 to April 2011.  For the latest information on CROWNWeb visit www.projectcrownweb.org.  Be sure to sign up for CROWNWeb updates by entering your email address at the bottom of the Project CROWNWeb home page!

NRAA Electronic Data Submission Pilot 
CMS met with the National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) to discuss an electronic data submission solution that would help meet the CROWNWeb data submission needs of small and medium-sized dialysis organizations (SDOs and MDos).  As a follow-up to the proposal that NRAA submitted to CMS in Spring 2010 in which NRAA proposed acting as a third-party Health Information Exchange (HIE) gateway for the SDOs and MDOs, the two entities reviewed the technical requirements to develop this "clearinghouse" solution to manage CROWNWeb's patient data submission requirements. This solution would permit the SDOs and MDOs to submit their information to NRAA, who would then format and submit the data to CROWNWeb. This limited production pilot would ensure proper formatting and submission of the electronic data, and NRAA would need to demonstrate a proof of concept and prove success. CMS and NRAA briefly discussed this effort during a joint presentation at the Annual QualityNet Conference on November 30th in Baltimore. Further details regarding this pilot will be shared via www.ProjectCROWNWeb.org as CMS continues to work with NRAA to develop a possible solution that will help benefit the ESRD community as a whole.

QIMS to Expedite Account Approval Process
The QualityNet Identity Management System (QIMS) will speed up the time it takes to establish new CROWNWeb accounts because the applicant's credentials will be confirmed by the facility's End User Manager and Security Official. This new process eliminates the requirement, in most cases, for a notary public to verify an applicant's identification. The QIMS account approval and activation process will be completed in-house by the End User Manager and Security Official. Starting with CROWNWeb Phase III, new users will initiate the account approval process by accessing, completing and printing the QIMS Account Form. The applicant will then take the completed form to his/her End User Manager for approval. Once approved, the account will be activated by the facility's appointed Security Official. (Note: Users will need to obtain notarization on the form if their identification cannot be verified in-person by the Security Official - for example, remote users for which Network in-person identification verification is not possible). Click here for more information.

Posted 12-20-2010