Data Abstraction

We know data

Image of a computer screen. If you’re looking for assistance with collecting, analyzing and reporting health care data, look no further. TMF has proven itself a dependable, trustworthy partner through a long history of collaborative relationships with health care organizations, professional medical associations and state and federal regulatory agencies.

TMF can provide data services faster, better and even more cost-effectively than most organizations can handle in-house. We specialize in creating customized solutions for assessing or improving the quality of health care services for individual customers’ needs.

TMF Health Quality Institute offers:

Experienced project management

Based on your organization’s policies, regulations and resources, we can propose sample selection and data collection methods, develop strategies for achieving project goals and manage field staff to complete the project on time and on budget.

Thorough tool design

TMF works with each client to design and develop the best data abstraction and assessment tools for the specific data elements to be collected. We conduct literature searches for regulatory and quality of care standards and practice guidelines and couple this information with individual client specifications. The final product is a well-developed easy-to-use electronic tool.

Reliable data abstraction

TMF ensures consistent data abstraction and inter-rater reliability through the use of thoughtfully designed tools and a well-defined process. Our abstraction tools and clearly written instructions, coupled with thorough training, lead the abstractor to correctly identify specific data elements, key sources and rules related to the inclusion or exclusion of data. We also assure consistent performance by only selecting and training qualified reviewers. In projects involving medical record review, experienced registered nurses are typically hired as abstractors.

Expert data analysis

At TMF, data analysis is determined by our clients' projects, taking into account organizational and reporting goals. Analysis can be performed on data that our staff has abstracted or on data collected by others. Possible trends, correlations or areas for further investigation may also be identified. Often, findings are compared to recognized standards of care, quality of care criteria or other state or national guidelines.

Straightforward reporting

Data report design and presentation is based on each project's needs. For example, project reports can be written to mirror federal or state grantee project reporting requirements or reports can be written for presentation to specific stakeholder groups, such as boards of directors or review boards. Project reports generally include the purpose of the project, background information, project design and implementation strategies, data abstraction activities and reporting of the data. In addition, TMF can share the data through presentations tailored to your needs.

Insightful recommendations

TMF can provide recommendations for actions based on data analysis. Recommendations may include areas for further study or actions that the organization might consider for improving processes and quality of care.

Data Abstraction Clients

Data abstraction clients include outpatient clinics, health maintenance organizations and other health care organizations.