Project Summary:
Healthcare systems in Wisconsin face significant challenges with demographic data collection, demonstrated by inconsistent racial and ethnic data reporting across facility locations and underrepresentation of certain racial groups compared to census data. This issue is especially critical in Jefferson and Dodge Counties, where healthcare facilities show an overrepresentation of White patients (94-96%) compared to census data (88%), which could suggest care avoidance, access barriers, or data collection inaccuracies. With new mandates for racial and ethnic data collection taking effect by 2029, rural health systems need help to improve their data practices.
The Wisconsin Hospital Association will introduce the IDEA initiative in partnership with several local health systems to improve and build upon demographic data collection practices. This project will develop customized training materials and IT support for frontline staff, focusing on race, ethnicity, language (REaL), and sexual orientation and gender identity (SO/GI) data collection. Through an advisory team that will include community members and patient advocates, the initiative will establish standardized procedures, optimize electronic health records, and implement data validation processes.
This pilot project aims to create a framework for identifying and addressing health disparities through improved data collection, particularly benefiting rural health systems with limited resources. The initiative will help healthcare facilities better understand and serve their diverse communities, and the project's outcomes and lessons learned will be compiled into a resource to be shared across Wisconsin's healthcare network.
Community Partners: Fort HealthCare, Marshfield Medical Center - Beaver Dam, Watertown Regional Medical Center