Qidss Budget Allocation

QIDSS BUDGET ALLOCATION

LHIN 4

March 2014

In February 2013, all FHT’s were invited to apply for additional funding for a Data Specialist (QIDSS) with a focus on Electronic Medical Record (EMR) standardization of data input across all known EMR programs. The goal of this initiative was to have uniform data entry across the board for the various EMR’s that exist in FHT’s across all LHIN’s. With standardized data input, FHT’s would now have the ability to mine accurate, meaningful data from their EMR’s which would be used to report to the Ministry of Health as part of their quarterly and yearly reporting obligations as well as to inform their Quality Improvement Plans, which are reported to Health Quality Ontario on an annual basis.

Following the identified assignment of QIDSS positions to all requesting FHT’s, hiring began along with the implementation of data standardization. It soon became clear to the FHT’s hosting the QIDS specialists that no additional monies had been provided for the extra expenses this position brought to their Family Health Team. The Ministry of Health has, in an effort to alleviate this strain on the FHT’s existing budgets, asked that the FHT’s submit a request for funding to offset projected expenses in relation to the QIDSS position for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015.

The Executive Directors from Family Health Teams across LHIN 4 have met and appointed a committee to determine the expenses for the upcoming fiscal year. The attached budget has been formed on the basis of this committees’ meeting and findings. Below are details pertaining to the QIDSS funding requests. Our QIDSS budget request submission is based on the following:

 2 QIDSS Positions to add to what is currently allotted to our LHIN and 0.4 FTE administrative time to support these

 Expense data obtained from the previous year’s QIDS Specialists’ expenses

 Projected expenses based on the committee’s identification of anticipated expenses the QIDS specialist would reasonably incur in the day to day activities of providing Data Optimization support over the entire LHIN 4 area to 15 FHT’s who reside in LHIN 4

Salary

The total salary request is based on both an annual salary of $75,000 for each position plus the associated 20% benefits allocation. Expenses

The expenses section is based on a QIDS specialist travelling to each FHT a minimum of 2 times per month.

Ongoing Overhead

 Cell Phones - $75 per month per QIDS position for 12 months

 Legal – Legal consultation re: privacy, memorandum of understanding, partnership agreements

 Recruitment – Advertising budget for the year to recruit and retain two more data specialists. We are at 50% fulfillment of our allocated QIDS positions.

 Training and Development – Will allow our QIDS specialists to access ongoing professional development and attend related workshops and conferences. Incorporates travel, meals and accommodations

 Miscellaneous – To cover unforeseen expenses that undoubtedly will occur.

 Rent (Main office): To cover the additional premise cost associated with this position. If working from a home office, then will cover costs directly and reasonably associated with expenses incurred as a result of working at home

Information Technology  Software Licensing – EMR specific licensing to provide access. Includes licensing for software used in the design of tools used to analyse, report data

 Remote Turbo Stick – To be used for easy portability of data info to and from the individual Family Health Teams. This also includes internet access at any site (Internet Stick)

One Time Funding

 These monies are to be used to set up, in an existing FHT, a training/education site, which would offer an opportunity for Niagara based education and training at a local site. The requested funding would cover items such as 2-3 laptops, desks, filing cabinet, basic office supplies, rent for space and staff to assist in data cleanup. This list is not exhaustive of expenses to set up this space.

 Hardware – Computers for remote location, WiFi, projector

 Software – MS Office

 Furniture and Fixtures - Desks, laptops 2-3, filing cabinets, office supplies,

 Rent – Compensation for utilization of space

 Staffing – Hiring Staff (summer students) to do data clean up