Resource Details

Engaging the Data Creators

Involving Front-Line Staff in the Health IT Enabled QI Process

Year Developed: 2016

Resource Type: Publication.

Primary Audience: Enabling Staff

Language(s): English

Developed by: HITEQ (See other resources developed by this organization).

Resource Summary: This brief discusses the importance of including frontline staff such as front desk, intake staff, and medical assistants in Health IT Enabled QI process, as they are often the ‘data creators’ or the ones entering the information into the system. Real world examples as well as suggested approaches and further resources are included. The data that is generated within health centers through entry into the EHR or practice management system and used for myriad purposes such as decision support, reporting, and quality improvement is often input by front-line staff. This may include front desk staff who enter information on intake forms, medical assistants who enter height, weight, and vital signs, among others. Another way to look at it is the information that health center leadership, providers, and payers are using to make decisions is often ‘created’ by entry level staff that may have less training and higher turnover. For these reasons, it is critically important to consider these ‘data creators’ in quality improvement activities that are undertaken.

Resource Topic: Health Information Technology (HIT)/Data, Quality, Workforce

Resource Subtopic: Development and Training, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Data, Tools, and Dashboards, Quality Improvement.