Data Feedback Tools
Feedback from reported data can help foster needed change within an institution. It can offer providers information on best practices and help prioritize critical issues in need of attention. It can also help purchasers and consumers exert external pressure for change and improvement by providing information about health care facility safety. Finally, it can assure the public that the issue is being addressed, improving the public trust.
Challenges associated with feedback
Providers have indicated that lack of data feedback from reporting systems is a disincentive to report. They view reporting systems that do not provide feedback as data graveyards, a burden that provides no benefits. Reporting systems can dispel this notion by disseminating useful information that can be used to spur change and offer helpful and effective “lessons learned.” Providing users with an easy and efficient way to access meaningful data can be challenging for states. These challenges include determining what data sets are appropriate and useful to disseminate, creating user-friendly formats for disseminating information, targeting the appropriate audience, and determining the most useful mechanisms for disseminating the information in order to reach the intended audience.
Challenges associated with feedback
Providers have indicated that lack of data feedback from reporting systems is a disincentive to report. They view reporting systems that do not provide feedback as data graveyards, a burden that provides no benefits. Reporting systems can dispel this notion by disseminating useful information that can be used to spur change and offer helpful and effective “lessons learned.” Providing users with an easy and efficient way to access meaningful data can be challenging for states. These challenges include determining what data sets are appropriate and useful to disseminate, creating user-friendly formats for disseminating information, targeting the appropriate audience, and determining the most useful mechanisms for disseminating the information in order to reach the intended audience.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
