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The Vancouver Community Analytics Tool (VCAT): Software Enabling Operationalization of the Building Blocks of
Ronald Joe1, Gabriela Sincraian1, Ali Rafik Shukor2
1Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Vancouver, Canada.
Background:
Community health centers (CHCs) in British Columbia, Canada, are using a data-driven approach to enable functions related to the design, organization, management, delivery, and evaluation of primary health care services for complex populations.
Methods:
Descriptive study leveraging case studies from 4 CHCs in Vancouver, Canada, to provide an overview and examples of the functions and outputs of the Vancouver Community Analytics Tool (VCAT). Quantitative data were derived from electronic medical record data and regional emergency department data. Data were analyzed and reported by the VCAT software.
Results:
VCAT is a health system modeling, analytics, and reporting application suite that enables operationalization of the Ten Building Blocks of High-Performing Primary Care framework via 1) creation of a virtual patient record, 2) modeling and measurement of epidemiological profiles, 3) population management and quality improvement, 4) measurement and assessment of biopsychosocial complexity, 5) empanelment, and 6) design and optimization of team-based care. The software captures data on patient pathways and service operations for over 300 service sites, including community health centers, detox centers, and emergency departments. The software integrates data on service utilization and myriad other variables for over 750,000 individuals.
Discussion:
Using case studies, the article describes how the software helps solve practical clinical, organizational, and performance issues facing CHCs.
Conclusions:
VCAT models, analyzes, and visualizes the complexity profiles and service utilization patterns of complex populations, thereby enabling system administrators and clinicians to improve system performance and quality of care. The software represents a significant advance for health services research and is transforming the organization, delivery, and evaluation of primary health care services.
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