Developing National Standardized Performance Measures for School‐Based Health Centers: The National Quality Initiative*

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite extensive literature on school-based health center (SBHC) characteristics and outcomes, their quality of care has not been examined nationally. Standardized quality metrics can inform health care delivery and improvement.METHODS: SBHC national performance measures (NPMs) were developed by reviewing measures from national child health quality initiatives and engaging stakeholders in a consensus-building process. NPMs were pilot-tested with 73 SBHCs and SBHCs nationally subsequently reported data.RESULTS: Five NPMs were selected including the percentage of clients annually who received at least one: (1) well-child visit, whether administered in the SBHC or elsewhere; (2) risk assessment; (3) body mass index screen with nutrition and physical activity counseling; and, if age-appropriate, (4) depression screening with follow-up treatment plan; and (5) chlamydia screening among sexually active clients. SBHCs experienced challenges with reporting during pilot-testing, particularly related to extracting data from electronic health records, and identified strategies to address challenges. Approximately 20% of SBHCs nationally voluntarily reported data during the initial year. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH:Standardized performance measures can help SBHCs monitor and improve care delivery and demonstrate effectiveness compared to other child health delivery systems. CONCLUSION:Ongoing data collection will help examine whether measure adoption drives quality improvement for SBHCs nationwide.

Kids are all in the same storm but not in the same boat.

“…school-based health centers can advance equity by virtue of reaching most children and youth where they are-in school. While still not universally accessible, they are expanding in terms of locations, funding sources, and the range of health and mental health services offered to students (Soleimanpour et al, 2023). Ultimately, community needs largely determine the most pressing priorities to support families (K. E. Hoagwood et al, 2018).…”

Chronic Health Condition Management and School-Based Health Centers in New York: Findings From the 2020 School Health Profiles Survey

“…Many SBHCs faced challenges with re-opening or remaining open. COVID-19-related precautions restricted those in school buildings, leading many centers to halt in-person services temporarily and rely on telehealth (Soleimanpour et al, 2021). Thus, while comparison with data prior to 2020 may be helpful, we advocate that school health researchers focus on 2020 data and beyond to address the current and future healthcare needs of students with CHCs.…”