Developing a minimum data set for older adult care homes in the UK: exploring the concept and defining early core principles
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Author
Burton, Jenni
Wolters , Arne
Towers, Ann-Marie
Jones , Liz
Meyer, Julienne
Gordon, Adam Lee
Irvine, Lisa
Hanratty , Barbara
Spilsbury, Karen
Peryer, Guy
Rand , Stacey
Killet , Anne
Akdur, Gizdem
Allen , Stephen
Biswas, Priti
Goodman, Claire
Attention
2299/26754
Abstract
Reforms to social care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the UK and internationally, place data at the heart of proposed innovations and solutions. The principles are not well established of what constitutes core, or minimum, data to support care home residents. Often, what is included privileges data on resident health over day-to-day care priorities and quality of life. This Personal View argues for evidence-based principles on which to base the development of a UK minimum data set (MDS) for care homes. Co-produced work involving care home staff and older people working with stakeholders is required to define and agree the format, content, structure, and operationalisation of the MDS. Implementation decisions will determine the success of the MDS, affecting aspects including data quality, completeness, and usability. Care home staff who collect the data need to benefit from the MDS and see value in their contribution, and residents must derive benefit from data collection and synthesis.