This work will test a set of strategies for helping community health centers (CHCs) routinely identify and take action on the SDH-related needs of patients with / at risk for DM using a stakeholder-driven process to develop EHR-based SDH data collection / summary tools for CHCs.
This work will test a set of strategies for helping community health centers(CHCs) routinely identify and take action on the SDH-related needs of patients with / at risk for DM. The work will specifically study: (a) EHR-based SDH data collection / action in CHCs, and (b) the impact of a set of scalable implementation strategies known to support clinical practice changes (the 'SDH Action Plan'), on CHCs' adoption of SDH data collection and action. Focusing on DM risk management and obesity prevention outcomes in adult patients, the investigators will conduct a mixed methods formative evaluation of SDH data collection uptake among CHCs that had SDH data tools activated in their EHR in June 2016. (Quantitative data will come from all 440 CHCs' shared EHR, qualitative data from 10-12 CHCs purposively recruited from this pool). Identify patterns of SDH data collection in these diverse CHCs, and clinic-level factors associated with variation in SDH data collection rates. Use results to fine-tune the SDH Action Plan intervention's strategies for helping CHCs systematically: (i) collect SDH data in standard workflows, and (ii) integrate SDH data into care plans (e.g., making referrals to social services; adapting treatment plans) for adults with / at risk for DM. Through a pragmatic, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 30 CHCs, the CHCs will be randomized to one of five 6-month wedges, with staggered timing. CHCs in each wedge will receive intensive implementation support (the SDH Action Plan). This scalable intervention includes both comprehensive technical assistance and training materials designed to help CHCs plan for and implement SDH data collection / action, and six months of remote access to an 'SDH Implementation Team' that will tailor implementation support to each CHC's needs, with an emphasis on the Building Blocks of Primary Care.45 To test this approach, the investigators will conduct a realist evaluation of whether and how the SDH Action Plan intervention improves: (i) SDH data collection in CHC workflows; (ii) integration of SDH data into DM risk management care; and (iii) clinical measures associated with effective DM risk management (controlled blood pressure, HbA1c, BMI, lipids, etc.; up-to-date preventive care). H3a: Intervention CHCs will have significantly greater increases in (i) SDH data collection, and (ii) actions taken to address SDH needs, compared to control CHCs. H3b: Patients at intervention CHCs for whom SDH data are collected will have significant improvements in DM / obesity risk management / receipt of related preventive care, compared to those at control CHCs.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
31
The SDH tool is embedded in the EMR to collect and act on individualized social determinants of health data.
Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research
Portland, Oregon, United States
Social Risk Screening
Average differences are reported comparing the pre-intervention period (6 months or more) to (1) the six-month intervention period and (2) the post-intervention period (6 months or more). Numerator is measured as the number of patients with documented social risk screening results entered at a clinical encounter in the measurement period (excluding those only for COVID-19 testing/vaccination, as many people received these services at the study sites who were not otherwise patients at these clinics). Denominator is total patients seen in that period. Domains of social risk screening included child/family care insecurity, education, employment, financial strain, food insecurity, health insurance, health literacy, housing instability, inadequate physical activity, relationship safety, social isolation, stress, transportation needs, and utilities insecurity.
Time frame: During 6-month intervention and postintervention (6 months or more, all months from the intervention period's end through December 2021)
Social Risk Referral
Average differences are reported comparing the pre-intervention period (6 months or more) to (1) the six-month intervention period and (2) the post-intervention period (6 months or more). Monthly clinic rate of provision of social risk-related referrals, measured as the number of patients with a documented referral among all patients seen in the measurement period (regardless of whether social risk screening was documented). This outcome included referrals internal (e.g., to a social worker) or external (e.g., to housing services) to the clinic. Denominator is total patients seen in that period.
Time frame: During 6-month intervention and postintervention (6 months or more, all months from the intervention period's end through December 2021)
Control of DM Risk Management Biomarkers: Blood Pressure (BP)
Average differences are reported comparing the pre-intervention period (6 months or more) to (1) the six-month intervention period and (2) the post-intervention period (6 months or more). Numerator is measured as the percent of patients with BP controlled (\<140/80 mmHg)--measured with systolic and diastolic pressure, denominator is total patients seen in that period with the needed follow-up data. This table is a subpopulation cohort comprised of patients with an encounter during the study period and established diabetes before the second month of their clinic's baseline period (excluding pregnant women).
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Time frame: During 6-month intervention and postintervention (6 months or more, all months from the intervention period's end through December 2021)
Control of DM Risk Management Biomarkers: HbA1c
Average differences are reported comparing the pre-intervention period (6 months or more) to (1) the six-month intervention period and (2) the post-intervention period (6 months or more). Numerator is measured as the percent of patients with A1c controlled (\<7.0%), denominator is total patients seen in that period with the needed follow-up data. This table is a subpopulation cohort comprised of patients with an encounter during the study period and established diabetes before the second month of their clinic's baseline period (excluding pregnant women).
Time frame: During 6-month intervention and postintervention (6-months or more, all months from the intervention period's end through December 2021)
Control of DM Risk Management Biomarkers: LDL
Average differences are reported comparing the pre-intervention period (6 months or more) to (1) the six-month intervention period and (2) the post-intervention period (6 months or more). Numerator is measured as the percent of patients with Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) controlled (l\<100 mg/dL), denominator is total patients seen in that period with the needed follow-up data. This table is a subpopulation cohort comprised of patients with an encounter during the study period and established diabetes before the second month of their clinic's baseline period (excluding pregnant women).
Time frame: During 6-month intervention and postintervention (6 months or more, all months from the intervention period's end through December 2021)
DM Key Tests (Screening, Percent up to Date)
Average differences are reported comparing the pre-intervention period (6 months or more) to (1) the six-month intervention period and (2) the post-intervention period (6 months or more). Numerator is measured as the rate of patients with up-to-date on DM key tests (annual low-density lipoprotein (LDL), biannual hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)), denominator is total patients seen in that period with the needed follow-up data. This table is a subpopulation cohort comprised of patients with an encounter during the study period and established diabetes before the second month of their clinic's baseline period (excluding pregnant women).
Time frame: During 6-month intervention and postintervention (6 months or more, all months from the intervention period's end through December 2021)