What are data standards and why do they matter to social care providers?
Why should social care providers care about data standards?
What do European rail networks, and the digitising social care programme have in common? Quite a lot actually. Did you know that there is currently a programme underway across Europe to roll out a standardised train control system, replacing disparate local systems to support safer and faster travel between European countries.
The main aim of the rail programme is to ensure there are consistent standards and drive interoperability across borders. Which is exactly what we are working towards in our work to support the digital transformation of adult social care.
Consistent information to improve care
With most providers now using digital social care records (DSCRs) there is a greater need to make sure that the information that is recorded, is consistent, or standardised so that it can be shared between health and adult social care systems efficiently.
Until now, there has never been a standard definition of data within adult social care. A good, personalised care plan must always be closely personalised to the individual. But currently, care plans also differ vary greatly in terms of the information and data they capture between organisations and IT systems.
Data standards ensure consistency and reduce duplication of reporting requirements. It is also a fundamental element in making sure that systems can share information securely and seamlessly. All with the aim of reducing the admin burden on care staff and supporting them in delivering person-centred care.
Earlier this year we published a set of data standards for adult social care. The Minimum Operational Data Standard (or MODS for short) was developed in collaboration with a range of people from across the health and adult social care sector. The fields defined through the data standard reflect a baseline of what providers currently record to support regulatory requirements, facilitate increased interoperability and a starting point in aligning the core information which providers need to record to support, deliver and improve improved direct care.
What does this mean for providers?
With technology driving so much change within the sector, the work to define MODS is just a starting point and we anticipate that the number of published data standards will grow as digital ways of working become embedded with the sector. Delivering safe and efficient person-centred care relies on having consistent approaches to how data is recorded and shared.
Over 70% of CQC registered adult social care providers have now made the switch from paper to using digital social care record solutions (DSCRs). For providers procuring DSCRs you will no doubt be ensuring that your preferred solution offers the range of functions you require. But have you considered if it will put you in the best place to benefit from increased data sharing opportunities between health and adult social care systems?
Our work to assure DSCR solutions and consider the growing importance of data standards aims to help providers in choosing which solution to invest in. We manage a list of DSCR solutions that have been assured against a set of core capabilities and functional capabilities as well as the current published data standards for adult social care.
When a DSCR solution supplier bids for a place on the Assured Solution List they are assessed to ensure they comply with these published capabilities and standards.
Suppliers of DSCR solutions who are successful in being listed are contractually obliged to comply with the DSCR Standards and Capabilities Roadmap. The roadmap is updated when new standards are published and to retain their listing on the assured solutions list suppliers will need to be compliant with any new standards. Most standards will have 15 months between the date of publication and when it comes into effect (and when a solution needs to be compliant).
The assured solutions list is not static, suppliers of solutions on the list are likely to be working to comply with one or more standards regularly. We hold regular update meetings with suppliers to provide updates on the roadmap and our programme to help them plan for changes to our assurance criteria so that they can remain compliant.
If a solution does not achieve compliance, it will be removed from the list. Where appropriate (and achievable) we may agree to a period of remediation with suppliers to support them in maintaining their place on the assured solutions list where they have not complied with a newly effective standard in time. Suppliers of non-compliant solutions can bid to rejoin the list later. It’s important that providers have regular conversations with their DSCR suppliers to understand their development plans and how they are working to maintain compliance with published standards for DSCRs.
The way care is managed and delivered is changing at a rapid pace, and digital technology is transforming the sector. Our work to support the development and publication of data standards and assure DSCR solutions against them (as well as a set of core capabilities) are steps towards a future of faster and more efficient data sharing. All aimed at freeing up valuable time to focus give back time to truly embed person-centred care.
Funding is available to support providers in implementing a DSCR, but the clock is ticking! Find out more about the funding available.
If you would like to know more about our approach to standards and assurance, sign up to our webinar for providers on the 15 August.