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Data Quality: What is a Data Quality Improvement Plan?
When participating organizations fail to meet the standards as defined in the AKHMIS Data Quality Plan, appropriate measures need to be in place which can diagnose and resolve underlying Data Quality performance issues. A Data Quality Improvement Plan (DQIP) is a detailed work plan intended to support and enhance a providers data quality in a specific area.
The CoC and HMIS Lead will work collaboratively with the organization/provider to create a Data Quality Improvement Plan that addresses what the provider must do to amend data quality issues, set timeframe for the plan, and provide support with appropriate resources and training to ensure the goals and objectives in the DQIP are successfully achieved.
A DQIP includes a high level of consistent communication with the AK CoC of the organization/provider, including AK CoC notification before any DQIP is initiated and continual updates after initiation with information on progress toward goals and objectives.
Initiation
A DQIP may be advised when the annual monitoring or quarterly data quality reports reveal one or more ongoing improvement opportunities related to data quality within an organization and/or a project (ongoing is defined as an improvement opportunity that is persistent and unresolved in the allowable period of time as defined by the AK CoCs and ICA).
Components
An effective Data Quality Improvement Plan includes the following elements, written out in detail and signed to as a formal agreement by all appropriate parties to ensure follow-through and completion of the plan:
Evaluation
Dependent upon DQIP evaluation results, the appropriate process from the options below will take place:
- Providers that meet required minimum standards will have their DQIP concluded and will return to the regular monitoring and oversight process.
- Providers that do not meet data quality standards by the end of their DQIP period, but have shown improvement, may have their DQIP extended to facilitate and ensure continued improvement. Such an extension plan will be a collaborative decision between the AK CoC, ICA, and the organization.
- Providers that do not meet data quality standards by the end of their DQIP period and have not shown improvement or active engagement in their DQIP will be reported to the AK CoC for further review of the situation. The AK CoC will engage the organization and ICA in communication regarding next steps.
Providers that continue to demonstrate a complete inability to meet minimum data quality standards and a lack of engagement may have their AKHMIS access suspended, at the discretion of the AK CoC to preserve the integrity of AKHMIS and ensure that other organizations/projects do not suffer due to poor data quality from another organization/project. Suspension will be a last resort and will not occur without all other options being considered nor without extensive communication between the AK CoC, the AKHMIS Advisory Board, and the organization/provider.