228473 Application of Quality Improvement Strategies on a Population-based HIV/AIDS Surveillance Project in Houston, Texas: Outcome analysis and Lessons Learned

Monday, November 8, 2010

Osaro Mgbere, PhD, MPH , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
Salma Khuwaja, MD, MPH, DrPH , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
Taiwo Fasoranti, MD , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
Lydwina Anderson, BS , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
James Gomez, BS , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
Brian Goldberg, BA , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
Karen Miller, MS , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
Adebowale Awosika-Olumo, MD, MS, MPH , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
Najmus Abdullah, BS , College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Background: Accurate data collection is essential to maintaining the integrity of any survey or research effort. While the degree of impact from faulty data collection and data may vary by discipline and the nature of investigation, there is the potential to cause disproportionate harm when these research results are used to support public policy recommendations. The objective of this endeavor was to develop quality assurance strategies to check interviews and medical records abstracted records at various levels of the data collection process to ensure that information is recorded consistently and completely. Method: Data used for evaluation were obtained from the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP). MMP is national population-based surveillance system design to assess clinical outcomes, behaviors and the quality of HIV care. Houston is one of the 23 sites participating in the project. The project involved in-person interview and medical record abstractions (MRA). Quality assurance strategies adopted included review of study protocol and documents, training, procedures to avoid errors and discrepancies, and protect data quality and integrity. A total of 350 MRA were reviewed and 11 interviews chosen at random were observed using standard guidelines. Descriptive analysis of the number of major and minor errors/discrepancies observed was conducted. Results: Findings from the evaluation indicated that application of the quality assurance strategies resulted in less than 5% error compared to an average of 11.8% in the previous project cycles. Complete review of all abstracted records resulted in the identification and correction of major and minor errors/discrepancies in the MRA data and enhanced interviewers' performance. Conclusions: The strategies used enhanced the data quality and integrity and ensured that the standard procedures and performance requirements were met.

Learning Areas:
Biostatistics, economics
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Epidemiology
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe the procedures for improvement of surveillance data quality and integrity; Discuss lessons learned from the application of the data quality improvement strategies.

Keywords: Data/Surveillance, Quality Improvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to make this presentation because I am the PI of the project for which the study is based on and I oversee all infectious diseases surveillance programs and projects at the Houston Department of Health and Human Services.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.