The purpose of this Special General Memorandum (SGM) is to establish the Indian Health Service (IHS) policy requiring the reporting of data utilizing the National Quality Accountability Dashboard by all IHS direct service facilities.

Quality is one of the four stated current priorities in which IHS pursues excellence in everything it does to assure a high-performing health system.  Measuring and taking steps to improve quality are essential in providing safe and effective, patient-centered care.  Dashboards are an increasingly relied upon tool to serve as a succinct and easily viewed display of the key performance indicators across an organization.

The IHS has developed a National Accountability Dashboard for Quality.  The measures and data requirements are aligned with current IHS policy and quality initiatives that directly relate to achieving high performance.

All of the dashboard measures have been carefully chosen and vetted by subject matter experts from all levels within IHS. These measures will require quarterly, twice yearly (semi-annual), or yearly (annual) reporting.  IHS will keep the reporting burden to a minimum.  If a measure change becomes necessary in the future, the Deputy Director Field Operations will notify Area Directors (in order to facilitate a smooth transition) and written guidance will be issued.

Effective Date

This SGM shall be in effect on the date signed by the Acting Director, IHS.

Addressees:
Area Directors
Chief Medical Officers
Area Nurse Consultants
Area Quality Managers
Chief Executive Officers
Clinical Directors
Nurse Executives (Directors of Nursing)
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Officers