A web-based data management system for New York City School-Based Health Centers: The design and implementation of OSCR

Access to accurate data is essential to School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in order to demonstrate the need for adequate support (financial and programmatic) to improve clinic service provision and to efficiently evaluate and monitor progress. We will present on a collaboration between the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH) School-Based Health Center Reproductive Health Project (SBHC RHP) and the Children's Health Fund's (CHF) Center for Community Health Technology (CCHT) to design and implement the uniform data management system OSCR (Online School Clinic data Repository). The technology collaboration between SBHC RHP and CCHT has resulted in a web-based, user-friendly, and robust electronic data solution which facilitates the data collection and reporting needs of the 39 SBHCs participating in the SBHC RHP. OSCR allows SBHCs to collect and manage data for tracking and monitoring the provision and uptake of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to NYC adolescents accessing the SBHCs. OSCR also allows SBHCs to collect clinic visit data around general quality indicators which are reportable to not only the SBHC RHP, but also to NYC DOHMH, to New York State DOH, to clinics' sponsoring institutions, and to other stakeholders. Furthermore, this initiative has led to the delivery of OSCR system-specific technical assistance to the participating SBHCs, and to the electronic transfer of data into OSCR from other systems such as EMR/EHRs. The novel collaboration between SBHC RHP and CCHT and the successful implementation of OSCR in the 39 participating SBHCs has created a model infrastructure for the sustainability of a unique and uniform data management system for SBHCs. Moreover, the coordinated efforts of the SBHC RHP along with the sustainability of OSCR allow for the standardization of quality and comprehensive SRH care in participating NYC SBHCs.