Development of data quality management guidelines for reimbursement of medical and public health services through the Financial Data Hub system at Chaturaphakphiman Hospital, Roi-Et Province

Abstract

The quality of patient or service user data is a crucial factor that influences the continuity of care and the budget management of healthcare service units. This study aimed to explore existing problems, develop appropriate strategies, and evaluate the outcomes of data quality management for reimbursement of medical and public health services through the Financial Data Hub system. The research utilized Action Research with 40 purposively selected key informants, including members of the hospital’s Revenue Collection Committee and relevant personnel. The study was conducted between October 2023 and June 2024. Data collection tools included a general information questionnaire, a knowledge assessment form, data submission logs, participatory observations, and a data quality evaluation form. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as content analysis, were used for data analysis.

The findings revealed problems in both operational processes and outcomes. The developed data quality management strategy consisted of five steps: (1) policy communication, (2) staff development, (3) improvement of the data recording and submission system, (4) monitoring and supervision, and (5) feedback and reflection. After implementation, staff knowledge scores increased from 62.50% to 80.68%, and data accuracy, completeness, and timeliness improved from 24.39% to 88.53%. The reimbursement value also increased significantly from 294,466.70 THB (January–March 2024) to 6,591,707.13 THB (April–June 2024). The hospital ranked first in data submission and approval within Health Region 7.

This study demonstrates that the developed data quality management approach can enhance the efficiency of medical and public health service reimbursements, resulting in more accurate, complete, and timely data, as well as significantly increased revenue for the organization.