QI difficulties could lead to suboptimal data, say experts
Confusion surrounding the additional mandatory quality indicator data providers are required to report could compromise accuracy, say leading aged care consultants.
Confusion surrounding the additional mandatory quality indicator data providers are required to report could compromise accuracy, say leading aged care consultants.
To support the sector, Health Generation and QPS Benchmarking have partnered to address the industry challenges faced by providers when gathering, collecting and submitting the QI data to government.
Under the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program, providers are required to report on five areas of care: unplanned weight loss, pressure injuries, physical restraint, falls and major injury, and medication management.
However, from 1 April, a further six areas of care were added to the reporting requirements:
- activities of daily living – the percentage of care recipient who experienced a decline in activities of daily living
- incontinence care – the percentage of care recipients who experienced incontinence-related dermatitis
- hospitalisation – the percentage of care recipients who had one or more emergency department presentations
- workforce – the percentage of staff turnover
- consumer experience – the percentage of care recipients who report ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ experience of the service
- quality of life – the percentage of care recipients who report ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ quality of life.
These recently introduced additional indicators have resulted in increased confusion in the sector said QPS Benchmarking general manager Adam Holcroft.
“This trend has the potential to return suboptimal results in data collection,” he said. “This leaves providers at risk of regulatory action, reduced star ratings, and ineffective clinical governance over residents’ safety and wellbeing.”
Residential aged care providers are required to submit quality indicator data every three months via an app located in the Government Provider Management System.
The federal government also has plans to introduce up to five quality indicators for the in-home aged care sector.
The HG-QPS Quality Indicator Companion service aims to assist both residential age care and home care providers in accurately collecting and understanding quality indicator data, and the reporting requirements.
“From what our clients have experienced with NQIP, there is a clear opportunity to give time back to providers who are stuck between understanding what data they are collecting, how to collect it and, most importantly, how to use it to improve resident outcomes,” said Health Generation managing director Heath Downie.
Mr Holcroft said one of the biggest headaches for providers is that QI reporting sucks up valuable workforce hours that could be better spent delivering direct care outcomes.
“We understand collecting and transforming data into usable information is a time-consuming and difficult job,” he said. “Our partnership with Health Generation provides a real solution and a viable option to solve workforce and time issues facing providers with their mandatory requirements.”
Follow Community Care Review on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and sign up to our newsletter.
