Collecting data on quality is feasible in community-based palliative care.

Abstract

Quality measurement in palliative care requires robust data from standardized data collection processes. We developed and tested the feasibility of the Quality Data Collection Tool version 1.0 (QDACTv1.0) for use in community-based palliative care. To evaluate for implementation barriers, we tested feasibility, acceptability, and utility of the QDACTv1.0 by reviewing use patterns, surveying clinician users, and reporting conformance with quality metrics. Comprising 37 questions within five domains, QDACTv1.0 was launched in May 2008 for data collection at point of care. Through March 2011, data on 5959 patients in 19,734 visits have been collected. We observed steady quarterly growth in data collection, positive clinician feedback, and successful mapping of data to quality metrics. Information gathered characterized practice variations and suggested quality improvement initiatives. Clinician feedback has driven updating to Quality Data Collection Tool version 2.0. Standardized data collection is feasible in routine community-based palliative care and is valuable for quality monitoring.