AMDA Foundation - Vol XIII, Jan `06

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Vol XIII, Jan `06

QI Newsletter Archive - Volume XIII, January 2006

Lessons from the Field: Improving Data Collection

Vol XIII, Jan `06

For the LTC-QI Partnership project team, one of our greatest challenges is to design and implement a research project that is feasible in real-world nursing home conditions. With competing priorities, staffing challenges, and workforce turnover, research can be difficult in this setting--and so can data collection.

Process

Vol XIII, Jan `06

For this project, participating nursing homes are required to abstract medical records data three times: at Months 1, 9, and 15. Each data collection period requires approximately 10 hours of data abstraction and submission. Once they enter data, nursing homes receive real-time data feedback reports.

Progress to Date

Vol XIII, Jan `06

All six states have now completed baseline data collection; some are collecting the data for the second and third data collection periods.

Despite extensive pre-testing and positive reactions to both the data collection tool and the Web-based data collection application, most facilities have needed follow-up and/or state nurse coordinator assistance to meet their deadlines. What are the data collection barriers, and how might we overcome them in the future?

Barriers & Strategies

Vol XIII, Jan `06
Barrier: Amount of time. While unavoidable, ~10 hours of time may be difficult when a facility faces staffing challenges, turnover, or other priorities (e.g., the survey process).

Strategy: While the amount of time may be unavoidable--the process was designed to be user-friendly to increase efficiency--staff may need education to better understand how the data collection process can replace or augment existing work. For example, the data feedback reports may help with MDS assessments or replace quality assurance audits. An immediate benefit would help staff find a more immediate "return on investment" for their time.

State Spotlight: Facility Profile

Vol XIII, Jan `06 To illustrate participating facilities' day-to-day experiences with the LTC-QI Partnership, Erin Blume, Research Projects Coordinator, contacted an Ohio facility for a brief update.
Read more...

Have something to say?

Vol XIII, Jan `06

We'd love to encourage dialogue with our national partners. If you have a comment, question, or response to an article in one of our monthly e-Newsletters, please contact us!

You can reach the project team by contacting Erin Blume: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it We may even print your response (with your permission).

More Research Tips?

Vol XIII, Jan `06

In November, we published some of our nursing home research tips, which included the need for continued flexibility and the use of appropriate infrastructure and data to increase efficiency. For another copy of the November e-Newsletter, please contact Erin Blume: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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