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Keep up with the latest MONAHRQ developments and new releases.

 

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Mailing List Announcements

 Sign up for the MONAHRQ® Mailing List

Keep up with the latest MONAHRQ® developments and new releases. To join, contact MONAHRQ@ahrq.gov.

For earlier Listserv E-mails, go to the MONAHRQ® Archives page.

 

Mailing List Announcements

 

MONAHRQ® 6.0 is now Available (March 2015)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is pleased to announce the release of MONAHRQ® 6.0 which adds several new enhancements. This software release includes several improvements that address the following needs:

  • Expansion to accept new data sources – Nursing Home Compare and Physician Compare
  • New Utilization Trend reports
  • New Nursing Home quality care reports and Physician Profile and Listing reports
  • New Surgical Safety infographic report
  • Guided Education Video: Health care quality
  • Guided Education: Surgical Safety
  • Open Source Framework ‘Wings & Flutters’

 MONAHRQ® 5.0 Build #2 is now Available (August 2014)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is pleased to announce the release of MONAHRQ® 5.0 Build #2 - which adds to the 5.0 redesign with several new measure enhancements based on user feedback. This software release includes several improvements that address user-identified needs:

  • Report on additional 13 CMS Hospital Compare measures ranging from topics of Emergency Department (ED), Infections, Death and Readmissions and Prevention and Treatment.
  • Ability to generate Utilization reports aggregated by Host User-defined custom regions.
  • Improvements to the user interface and to data mapping processes during data importation.
  • Compatibility with the May 2014 release of CMS Hospital Compare data.
  • Updated benchmark and base data based on 2014 data.
  • Improved Consumer Audience MONAHRQ-generated website content, especially regarding the cost-related content which has been updated and made more user-friendly.

 

MONAHRQ® 5.0 is Available (May 2014)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is announcing the completely redesigned version of MONAHRQ 5.0 that is now available for download. This software release includes several improvements that address user-identified needs:

  • Improved user interface so the software is even easier to use to create health care reports and websites.
  • Ability to create multiple websites and re-use imported data, rather than starting over each time a new website is needed are now aligned correctly in the Hospital Quality Ratings report. The software now takes into account measures that were suppressed in the latest Hospital Compare database.
  • New reports that reflect the latest research about what is most effective for reporting to consumers
  • Ability to create different websites depending on the audience: Consumers, patients and the general public or Providers, researchers and analysts, and policymakers
  • Architecture that enables MONAHRQ developers to capitalize on new data sources, making MONAHRQ a more versatile tool in this evolving health care environment

MONAHRQ® 5.0 is now available for download from the MONAHRQ® ;Archives page. For additional information, please view the Release Notes 5.0 [ PDF file - 299.08 KB].

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MONAHRQ® 4.1 - Build #3 is Available (November 2013)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is announcing an updated version of MONAHRQ 4.1 that is now available for download. This software release includes several small improvements that address user-identified needs:

  • The benchmark data has been updated based on 2012 data.
  • The columns are now aligned correctly in the Hospital Quality Ratings report. The software now takes into account measures that were suppressed in the latest Hospital Compare database.
  • The column in “ED Visits Summary by FIPS” report now has the correct title of “Visits.”
  • In the “Hospital Quality Ratings” report, the bar chart now opens consistently when the icon is clicked.
  • In the Avoidable Stays path, the “Choose a Health Topic” button for the “By Rates” option now works correctly.
  • The error message now displays the correct content to accurately inform the Host User.
  • The volumes displayed are now correct, after addressing the methodology associated with the first reported diagnosis versus all diagnoses.

We recommend that anyone currently using MONAHRQ 4.1 install this updated build of MONAHRQ (known as Build #3). The update preserves the data mapping files you currently use for MONAHRQ 4.1, so the installation process is quick and easy. For instructions, please refer to the “Installation” chapter of the MONAHRQ 4.1 Host User Guide [ PDF file - 11.36 MB] .

For anyone using MONAHRQ who has not yet upgraded to MONAHRQ 4.1, we highly recommend using the latest version of MONAHRQ to get even more value from the software. Enhancements in MONAHRQ 4.1 include the ability to:

  • Add a path for Emergency Department (ED) data so you can generate reports on ED utilization, including the number of total ED visits and ED visits that result in admission to the hospital.
  • Raise the visibility of cost-related reports and estimated cost savings by allowing website visitors to select whether they want to view Avoidable Stays information by cost savings, maps, or rates.
  • Report on two additional CMS Hospital Compare measures: cardiac imaging for perioperative risk assessment, and simultaneous use of brain and sinus CT scans.
  • Gather feedback via e-mail from those who visit your MONAHRQ-generated website.
  • Add information that makes it easier for people to find your MONAHRQ website using search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, Dogpile, Ask and many others.

 

MONAHRQ® 4.1 Build #3 is now available for download from the Release Notes [ PDF file - 704.4 KB]  

MONAHRQ® 4.1 - Build #2 is Available (August 2013)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is announcing an updated version of <MONAHRQ 4.1 that is now available for download. This software release includes several small improvements that address user-identified needs:</p>

  • Displays the numerator value correctly for measures listed on Detailed Quality Reports web pages
  • Ensures that customized color options are applied, overriding the default colors that appear on the MONAHRQ-generated website
  • Shows bar charts for hospitals with special characters in their name, in both the Quality Reports and the Detailed Quality Reports
  • Enables hyperlinks to be created using the Apache webserver, if you as the Host User change the Apache webserver configuration to “case-insensitive”.
  • Allows Host Users to customize the content of their Hospital Quality report web pages by deselecting provider measures without disrupting the display of measures without data
  • Allows Host Users to display the County Rates by uploading 2012 inpatient discharge data

We recommend that anyone currently using MONAHRQ 4.1 to uninstall the April release version and install this updated build of MONAHRQ (known as Build #2). The update preserves the data mapping files you currently use for MONAHRQ 4.1, so the installation process is quick and easy. For instructions, please refer to the “Installation” chapter of the MONAHRQ 4.1 Host User Guide [ PDF file - 11.36 MB] .

For anyone using MONAHRQ who has not yet upgraded to MONAHRQ 4.1, we recommend using the latest version of MONAHRQ to get even more value from the software. Enhancements in MONAHRQ 4.1 include the ability to:

  • Add a path for Emergency Department (ED) data so you can generate reports on ED utilization, including the number of total ED visits and ED visits that result in admission to the hospital.
  • Raise the visibility of cost-related reports and estimated cost savings by allowing website visitors to select whether they want to view Avoidable Stays information by cost savings, maps, or rates.
  • Report on two additional CMS Hospital Compare measures: cardiac imaging for perioperative risk assessment, and simultaneous use of brain and sinus CT scans.
  • Gather feedback via e-mail from those who visit your MONAHRQ-generated website.
  • Add information that makes it easier for people to find your MONAHRQ website using search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, Dogpile, Ask and many others.

MONAHRQ® 4.1 Build #2 is now available for download from the MONAHRQ® Archives page. For additional information, please view the Release Notes [ PDF file - 704.4 KB] .  

MONAHRQ® 4.1 - Now Available (May 2013)

We are pleased to announce the release of MONAHRQ® 4.1.

MONAHRQ® 4.1 includes several enhancements based on user feedback, including the ability to:

  • Add a path for Emergency Department (ED) data so that you can generate reports on ED utilization, including the number of total ED visits and ED visits that result in admission to the hospital.
  • Raise the visibility of cost-related reports and estimated cost savings by immediately allowing users of your MONAHRQ® -generated website to select whether they want to view Avoidable Stays information by maps, rates, or cost savings
  • Report on two additional CMS Hospital Compare measures: cardiac imaging for perioperative risk assessment and simultaneous use of brain and sinus CT scans.
  • Gather feedback via e-mail from users of your MONAHRQ® -generated website, as well as add information that helps search engines direct people to your MONAHRQ® -generated website.

We recommend that anyone currently using MONAHRQ 4.1 to uninstall the April release version and install this updated build of MONAHRQ (known as Build #2). For instructions, please refer to the “Installation” chapter of the Host User Guide [ PDF file - 11.36 MB] .

MONAHRQ® 4.1 is now available for download from the MONAHRQ® Archives page. For additional information, please view the Release Notes [ PDF file - 704.4 KB] . 

MONAHRQ® Version 4.0.1 - Now Available (December 2012)

We are pleased to announce the release of MONAHRQ® Version 4.0.1.

MONAHRQ® 4.0.1 is a minor release that includes several updates and changes based on user feedback, including:

  • Support for reporting estimated cost savings by reducing potentially avoidable hospital stays.
  • Updated cost-to-charge data.
  • Updated ZIP code data.
  • Improved cell size suppression support in the Maps of Avoidable Hospital Stays path.
  • Support for customizable footnotes in the Hospital Utilization and County Rates of Hospital Use paths.

To report the estimated cost savings for potentially avoidable hospital says, AHRQ has developed the Area QI Cost Calculator for Windows and for SAS. The Area QI Cost Calculator tools use the output from the AHRQ Quality Indicators software to calculate the estimated cost savings. Output from the Area QI Cost Calculator can then be imported into MONAHRQ. MONAHRQ® 4.0.1 is now available for download from the MONAHRQ® site. For additional information, please view the Release Notes [ PDF file - 325.61 KB] . 

The July 2012 CMS Hospital Compare file is available for use with MONAHRQ

The July Hospital Compare file contains the following data:

  • Mortality and readmissions measure results for July 2008 through June 2011.
  • Process of care measure results for October 2010 through September 2011.
  • Imaging measure results for January 2010 through December 2010.
  • HCAHPS survey results for October 2010 through September 2011.
  • Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (HAI-1-SIR) measure results for January 2011 through September 2011.
  • Heart Attack Patients Given a Prescription for a Statin at Discharge (AMI-10) measure results for January 2011 through September 2011.

Data for imaging measures Contrast material (dye) used during abdominal CT scan (OP-10) and Contrast material (dye) used during chest CT scan (OP-11) have been scaled to reflect percentages.

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MONAHRQ® Version 4.0 - Now Available (August 2012)

We are pleased to announce the release of MONAHRQ® Version 4.0.

MONAHRQ® 4.0 is a major release that includes several updates and changes, including:

  • Removing the embedded AHRQ Quality Indicators software. MONAHRQ® will now import and report pre-calculated AHRQ QI results that can be created outside of MONAHRQ® using any version of the AHRQ Quality Indicators software.
  • Ability to report two additional CMS Hospital Compare measures-Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) and Statin Prescribed at Discharge.
  • Customizable description information for MONAHRQ® quality measures and health topics.
  • Support for multiple years of cost-to-charge ratio data.
  • Redesigned Web site generation wizard.
  • Support for additional file formats.

MONAHRQ® 4.0 is now available for download from the MONAHRQ® site. For additional information, please view the Release Notes [ PDF file - 417.34 KB] .

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MONAHRQ® Version 3.0 - Now Available! (June 2012)

We are pleased to announce the release of MONAHRQ® Version 3.0.

MONAHRQ® 3.0 is a major release that includes several new features and updates including:

  • Upgrading the WinQI software to version 4.2 to version 4.3a.
  • Ability to report additional AHRQ quality indicators, including provder-level composites.
  • Ability to report additional Hospital Compare imaging, outpatient, and surgical patient safety measures.
  • New Nursing Sensitive Care health topic in the Hospital Quality path.
  • The ability to import user-defined DRG and MDC groupings instead of having MONAHRQ® assign them automatically.
  • Support for cell suppression based on denominator values, in addition to MONAHRQ's current support for suppression based on numerator values.
  • Ability to save and reload hospital information and several website customization parameters.

MONAHRQ® 3.0 is now available for download from the MONAHRQ® Archives page. The Release Notes [ PDF file - 496.29 KB] provide additonal information on the new features as well as installation and upgrade information.

Please contact us at MONAHRQ@ahrq.gov with any questions or comments. Thank you for your continued support!

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MONAHRQ® Version 2.0.4 - Now Available (3/19/12)

MONAHRQ® 2.0.4 has been released and is available for download. Version 2.0.4 is a maintenance release that incorporates all changes from prior releases.

In order to install 2.0.4, previous versions of MONAHRQ® must be uninstalled. If MONAHRQ® 2.0.4 is installed, previously generated Websites should be regenerated.

MONAHRQ® 2.0.4 generated Websites are best viewed in the Firefox browser.

Summary of Changes from MONAHRQ® 2.0.3 to 2.0.4

MONAHRQ® 2.0.4 includes the following updates:

  • Additional MONAHRQ-generated Web pages that provide accessible table versions of the bar charts.
  • Updates to the MONAHRQ® host application that enable the editing of CMS-only hospitals. Previously, the host user screen allowing the editing of CMS-only hospitals was not appearing.
  • Additional corrections for 508 accessibility including:
    • In the Hospital Quality Path, redesigned the classification table headers for ease of use with a screen reader.
    • In the Hospital Quality Path, redesigned the hospital and zip code multiple selection lists.
    • Updated alternative text for clarity.

For MONAHRQ® 2.0.4 and subsequent versions, it will be possible to install multiple versions of MONAHRQ® on a single machine. However, it will still be necessary to uninstall an earlier version of MONAHRQ® (2.0.3 and earlier) before installing MONAHRQ® 2.0.4 or subsequent versions.

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The Department of Health and Human Services has posted a contract solicitation for MONAHRQ

The Department of Health and Human Services has posted a contract solicitation/Request for Proposals (RFP) for My Own Network Powered by AHRQ - MONAHRQ on the Federal Business Opportunities website.

Interested, eligible parties are invited to review and respond.

Please refer to the federal business opportunities posting for all existing and future information associated with this project. All inquiries shall be handled strictly as required by the announcement. Thank you for your interest.

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MONAHRQ® Version 2.0.3 - Now Available (12/27/11)

MONAHRQ® 2.0.3 has been released and is available for download. Version 2.0.3 is a maintenance release that replaces version 2.0.2.

We strongly recommend that users install and use version 2.0.3. In order to install 2.0.3, previous versions of MONAHRQ® must be uninstalled. Previously generated Websites should be regenerated.

For MONAHRQ® 2.0.3 generated Websites are best viewed in the Firefox browser.

Summary of Changes from MONAHRQ® 2.0.2 to 2.0.3

MONAHRQ® 2.0.3 includes the following updates:

  • Improved display of suppressed values.
  • Updated hospital sort for consistency across all paths.
  • Improved Website customization.
  • Corrected a number of issues related to 508 accessibility.

For questions or technical assistance, please contact MONAHRQ@ahrq.gov.

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Page last reviewed June 2016
Page originally created April 2013
Internet Citation: News. Content last reviewed June 2016. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/monahrq/news/index.html