Data Storyteller

With nearly 100% of community health centers utilizing electronic health records (EHR) to care for patients, focus has pivoted from implementation and new workflow development to enhancement in order to drive value and reflect patient needs and population trends. EHR technology presents potential opportunities and significant constraints. Providers frequently document and share potentially sensitive information in the EHR, such as risk for intimate partner violence (IPV), consistent offers of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), or patient sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Capturing such information can be immensely helpful in providing care tailored to individuals’ needs, but additionally challenges teams to develop workflows that keep the data private rather than risk harm to patients through improper or unintended disclosure.

Collecting sensitive patient information, including data related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), is a critical part of operations for many health centers, especially FQHCs. Though required by many funding and reporting systems, for example, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Services, integrating how to capture these data in respectful and consistent ways may be a challenge. Based on  experience from an FQHC in Washington, DC with special expertise in LGBTQ+ and HIV Care, the process of training staff and implementing SOGI data-related workflows will be described, including subsequent measurement and Quality Improvement initiatives. Details include examples of registration forms, staff training materials, EMR workflows, and patient-facing resources. The importance of creating affirming spaces to help support effective medical care was also discussed.