Indicator Selection for Data to Decisions (D2D 2.0) – survey deadline Jan 23, 2015

It’s D2D time again! We’ve made a list – we’d like you to check it twice! Please provide your input into the selection of indicators for the second iteration of Data to Decisions (D2D 2.0).  We would like to finalize the list early in the new year to give everyone as much time as possible to get the data and pull the report together.  To that end, please complete the survey by Jan 23 2015. What is D2D 2.0? Data to Decision 2.0 is AFHTO’s way of “keeping going” in the journey to advance manageable meaningful measurement.  It is the second iteration of a membership-wide report summarizing performance on indicators that are both possible for members to measure and that are meaningful to them.  It follows the lead of D2D 1.0, which was AFHTO’s attempt to “get started” on this journey  (see FAQ for more background on D2D 1.0).  “Keeping going” is different than “getting started”.  For example, the goal this time is to get as many teams as possible contributing data.  This is partly to ensure that all members have equally good opportunities to use the report to fuel their own local efforts to improve quality.  It is also important to ensure that the results are truly representative of AFHTO members as a whole.  And finally, it is critical to making sure that the new ministry contract focuses on measures that matter to members.  Input from the MOHLTC suggests they are very open to the idea of using D2D 2.0 as a basis for this contract, assuming it represents the vast majority of members. Where did the short-list of indicators come from? The short list of indicators for D2D 2.0 is based on input from an advisory panel of clinicians and EDs, the QIDSS host ED forum, Patients Canada and consultation with members regarding the new Ministry contract as well as ongoing informal input from members before, during and after the release of D2D 1.0 in a variety of forums.  The list is also heavily influenced by the recent work to prioritize the long list (i.e. 200+) of indicators in the PCPMF.  The criteria for selecting indicators that emerged from this input is as follows:

• Be part of D2D 1.0 unless there is a clear indication against including them again
• Address a clear and important-to-members gap among D2D 1.0 indicators
• Be possible for majority of AFHTO members to access data with reasonable effort
• Align as much as possible with sector wide reporting processes/capacity (i.e. to facilitate inter-model comparisons)
• Be among the top-weighted indicators in the Starfield Primary Care Index (to extend capacity to measure quality of comprehensive, patient-centered care aligned with patient expectations)

What is the short list of indicators? There are 3 groups of indicators for members to provide input on.

1. Existing D2D 1.0 indicators: All of the D2D 1.0 indicators will be retained in 2.0 unless there is clear evidence that it is not possible for a large proportion of AFHTO members to do so in a consistent way.  The definitions and data capture processes for some indicators have been modified to address concerns raised about feasibility and data quality in the D2D 1.0 process.
2. Potential additions for D2D 2.0: Several indicators are proposed to fill perceived gaps in coverage in D2D 1.0.  The specific rationale for each indicator is provided in the survey materials.  Only a small number of candidates are offered for input, given the very clear guidance against having large numbers of indicators.
3. Context indicators: In addition to the “peer group” characteristics included in D2D 1.0 (i.e. roster size, rurality and EMR access to hospital discharge data), several other indicators (e.g. teaching status) are proposed to make it more meaningful for teams to compare to peers.

See survey instructions for detailed list of indicators. How do AFHTO members provide input for indicator selection?

1. Find out what your team thinks about the indicators:  You may choose to ask your Board, your Quality Improvement committee, your physician group and/or your staff about what indicators matter most to them.   If you want to do a local “first round” of the survey, we have a provided a mechanism for that.   We have also provided a short handout about D2D 1.0 in case that helps start the conversation.  See survey instructions for more details.
2. Complete the survey by Jan 23, 2015: You can complete the survey as an individual or as a group.  Just indicate how many are in your group when you do, so we can account for that in the results.
3. Talk to us! Contact Carol Mulder (carol.mulder@afhto.ca), any QIDSS or member of the Indicator working group.  All of these people are actively involved in the actual implementation of the report so they can give you more background and/or bring your comments forward.
4. Take the lead! AFHTO has is asking for members to volunteer for a variety of leadership roles related to advancing manageable meaningful measurement.  One of the newest of these is the Physician Leadership Council.  More information will be forwarded to all members soon.  In the meantime, please consider these opportunities for you to provide further input.

How do we find out more? AFHTO will be launching a regular bulletin to better share emerging news about advancing manageable meaningful measurement.  Watch for this coming soon to your inbox.  In the meantime, please check out the D2D page  or contact Carol Mulder (carol.mulder@afhto.ca) for more information.