Implementing Standard HAC Data Collection, Storage, and Display to Promote Informed Decisions

Background:

Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) hospital-acquired condition (HAC) data have been collected, stored, and displayed across many software packages, locations, and formats. These included electronic audits in Excel, Access, and RedCap, plus manually on paper. HAC leaders had to learn different methods of data collection and analysis. Not all the data were available electronically. Data analysis required manual export and manipulation of data. This inconsistency made informed decision-making and cross-training/collaboration across HACs difficult.

Objectives:

To standardize SPS HAC data collection, storage, and reporting into one consistent centralized repository. To use one tool for data collection across the HACs, store data centrally, and report consistently. To allow data slicing by time and by unit/location. To promote cross-training and collaboration between HAC teams.

Methods:

The data collection, storage, and dissemination methods across the HACs were documented. HAC leads, process engineering, and information specialists collaborated to select the best data tools, choosing Microsoft Sharepoint. Consistent Microsoft Forms were created for each (Fig. 1). Audits write to a central database for aggregation and analysis, which is read into the enterprise-wide data warehouse and can be linked the electronic medical record. QR codes were created allowing real-time audits. Uniform dashboards were created for each HAC, as well as an outcomes dashboard with system-wide performance (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1.

HAC Audit Data Collection Form.

Fig. 2.

Combined HAC Outcomes Dashboard.

Results:

The number of different audit tools was reduced from five to one. The number of locations to view data was reduced from approximately 15 to one. Safeguards were put in place to ensure the integrity of the audit data, resulting in greater confidence in the outcomes.

Conclusions/Implications:

User feedback on the consolidated HAC site was overwhelmingly positive. The number of audits completed monthly has risen, and the integrity of the data has improved. More users can access their process and outcome measures in real-time, allowing for more agile decision-making.