The ALPQC Birth Certificate Accuracy Initiative (BCAI) project began in the fall of 2018. The purpose of the project is to improve the accuracy of birth registry data collected in our state for surveillance and future quality improvement work. Our aim is to ensure that, by project end, 11 key variables on the birth certificate are reported accurately in 95% of birth records.
Action requires quality data. Accurate birth certificate data are critical ingredients needed to:
– monitor population health, particularly that of women and children.
– solve public health problems at the state level.
– make wise decisions about where to spend limited dollars.
– inform future ALPQC quality improvement efforts.
The Birth Certificate Accuracy Initiative (BCAI) involves the following:
Hospital leadership – Each participating birthing facility identifies a leadership team. Each team includes:
– Birth registrar (or birth certificate abstractor)
– Quality improvement member
– Clinical member (RN or MD)
Training and continuous QI – Regularly scheduled webinars provide training on improved data collecting and reporting of the 11 key variables. These are archived, along with slides and handouts, on this page for future use. Hospital consultation and technical assistance is also available for continuous shared learning.
Data reporting – Birth certificate data quality is assessed by the clinical team member auditing 5 or 10 hospital records (depending on hospital volume) for 11 key birth certificate items on a monthly basis. An example audit worksheet containing the 11 key items can be found on this page. Baseline data was collected prior to training kick-off in the fall of 2018. Monthly data submission for the previous month’s audit is to the ALPQC via REDCap by the 21st of the subsequent month starting with October 2018 births.
Hospital feedback – Monthly QI reports are be provided to hospitals within 2 weeks of audit submission. Reports include hospital-specific data (seen only by that hospital) as well as collated anonymous data. Feedback regarding the project is needed for ultimate success, and each facility’s team is encouraged to give the ALPQC feedback via monthly reporting, email, during webinars, or calls.
BCAI Committee Members
| Name | Credentials | Organization Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Allison Todd | MSN, RN | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| Brenda Bugh | BBA | Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics |
| DeeAnne Jackson | MD, MPH | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Academic General Pediatrics |
| Donna Todd | RHIA | Baptist Health, Health Information Management |
| Drew Nelson | MPH | Alabama Medicaid, Quality Assurance Division |
| Janice Smiley | MSN, RN | Alabama Department of Public Health, Perinatal Health Division |
| Madonna Nichols | MSN | St. Vincent’s Birmingham, Women’s Services |
| Margaret Borders | Alabama Hospital Association | |
| Martha Wingate | DrPH | University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health |
| Melanie Gaston | Baptist Medical Center East | |
| Melinda Rowe | MD | Alabama Medicaid |
| Paula Brennan | Baptist Medical Center East, Women’s & Children’s Services | |
| Rosemary Blackmon | Alabama Hospital Association | |
| Samuel Gentle | MD | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Pediatrics, Neonatology |
| Sandra Townsend | RHIT | Jackson Hospital, Health Information Management Operations |
| Sara Mazzoni | MD, MPH | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| Sharon Jones | MSN | St. Vincent’s Birmingham, Clinical Excellence |
| Tammy Smith | MSN | Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Women & Infants Services |
