Raising the Bar Graph: Innovative Strategies and Best Practices for Effective Data Reporting for Crisis Response Services

Body of Abstract: Data is a powerful tool that allows organizations to track trends in service delivery, service quality, service inequity, community needs, outcomes and more. Data helps organizations develop strategies for addressing challenges and gaps in service provision while better meeting the needs of the community they serve. For many organizations, data can be daunting due to its complexity, and the myriad of potential pitfalls when it comes to data collection and reporting. How can an agency simultaneously provide effective, efficient, and compassionate client care and life-saving suicide prevention services while still ensuring that documentation and data meet necessary standards and integrity for reporting while not hindering service provision?
In this presentation, two professionals with diverse specialties and expertise with the Affiliated Santé Group in Maryland will detail practical strategies and best practices for data collection and reporting within a crisis response system. Guided by principals of best practice in establishing data protocols and optimizing data collection from SAMHSA as well as over 20 years of experience in providing crisis services, Affiliated Santé Group has developed innovative approaches to crisis center data collection and reporting through blending clinical and computing expertise. This presentation will outline the best practices for data collection in crisis response services or other behavioral health settings and specifically address how these best practices are implemented at Santé’s Baltimore County Crisis Response System in Timonium, Maryland. The relationship between staff documentation and data will be discussed and how data can best be collected and reported for efficiency and to optimize the quality of client care, the experience of both the consumer and the crisis service staff while still ensuring data integrity. Referencing the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Quality Measurement in Crisis Services tool, this presentation will share how Affiliated Sante Group uses person-centered approaches to crisis metrics as well as strategies to leverage both clinical, supervisory, and data/technological expertise in a collaborative manner with a goal to collect and report data that adheres to best practices. This presentation will also detail how technology such as software system design, documentation configuration as well as scheduled broadcast reports can add to data integrity. A practical example will be provided illustrating how Santé uses a technical audit process. The presentation will include information on how to build these tools and use technology such as electronic health record modules and features effectively to aid in this process.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss the direct relationship between documentation and data and how to optimize each by leveraging different areas of expertise.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to identify best practices to ensure data collection, integrity, and ease of reporting and apply them in crisis services and other behavioral health settings.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to apply specific practical and innovative strategies for data collection including using technology to assist with data integrity while adhering to best practices.