title: Collecting data on quality is feasible in community-based palliative care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comprising 37 questions within five domains, QDACTv1.0 was launched in May 2008 for data collection at point of care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standardized data collection is feasible in routine community-based palliative care and is valuable for quality monitoring.
authors: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors: Arif H
authors: AH
authors: Kamal
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Bull
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Stinson
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Blue
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Smith
authors: Rikki
authors: R
authors: Hooper
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Kelly
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Kinsella
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Philbrick
authors: Agbessi
authors: A
authors: Gblokpor
authors: Jane L
authors: JL
authors: Wheeler
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Downey
authors: Amy P
authors: AP
authors: Abernethy
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D013689:Telephone