Statewide Open Source Diabetes Tracking and Analysis System

Diabetes Data Dilemmas
Author:  Joe Brisson
Objective: To improve the efficiency and accuracy of the collection, analysis and reporting of data to achieve improvements of diabetes standards of care on a statewide basis. 
Project Description and Implementation: The Kansas Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) implemented this project utilizing the Chronic Care Model in 70+ healthcare organizations to improve the quality of care for Kansans with diabetes in diverse healthcare settings.  Participating organizations include: local health departments, private practices, community health clinics, safety net clinics, hospital affiliated practices, critical access hospital networks, migrant farm worker and Promotora programs. Diabetes quality of care indicator data is collected quarterly through the Chronic Disease Electronic Management System (CDEMS).   Each organization exports the CDEMS data into an Excel file and submits that file electronically to the DPCP for analysis.  This method of data collection was not very efficient or cost effective.

 To address these issues, in 2006 a pilot project was implemented in thirteen of the 70+ healthcare organizations to test a system for collecting CDEMS aggregate data through an internet based Open Source Health Records Exchange program.

 

Results:  Data from each of the thirteen sites was successfully transferred via a secure Internet connection on a bi-monthly basis to a centralized repository allowing the DPCP to run standard queries and generate aggregate reports.  This process substantially decreased the time previously spent on data entry and increased the consistency and accuracy of data collection and analysis. 

 

Conclusion:  The pilot demonstrated a more cost effective and accurate process for collecting and analyzing diabetes quality of care data on a statewide basis. Based on success of the pilot and continued CDC funding, fifteen additional clinics were added in 2007.  For 2008, DPCP is adding twenty-eight clinics and expanding the program to include Hypertension quality of care indicators.