Get started implementing an effective Community Health Assessment (CHA) strategy Community Health Assessments (CHAs) play a crucial role in shaping the future of public health by identifying key health challenges and opportunities within communities. These assessments provide a foundation for data-driven decision-making, resource allocation and collaborative health improvement strategies.   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CHAs help communities develop policies and interventions that address health disparities and improve overall well-being. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) offers extensive resources for effectively conducting CHAs.  In this guide, we will explore what a Community Health Assessment is, its purpose, key components and benefits. We will also provide real-world examples and solutions to overcome common challenges. Whether you're a healthcare administrator, policymaker or community leader...

A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a vital tool for hospitals, healthcare organizations and community stakeholders to evaluate and address the health needs of their populations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the CHNA, including its purpose, requirements, data analysis and examples.  What is a Community Health Needs Assessment?  A CHNA is a systematic process that identifies key health issues and needs within a community. It serves as a foundation for healthcare providers and policymakers to make informed decisions that improve health outcomes. Learn more about the fundamentals of a CHNA in our detailed guide: What is a Community Health Needs Assessment? .  The purpose of a Community Health Needs Assessment   The purpose of a CHNA is to:  Identify significant health issues  Determine prevalent health conditions affecting the community.  Recognize disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.  Highlight social determin...

Watch the video below. How safety culture and Joint Commission standards improve patient outcomes  As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, one constant remains: a strong patient safety culture is key to better outcomes for both patients and staff. When safety is prioritized, it creates a ripple effect. It improves patient experience, boosts workforce well-being and strengthens overall quality of care.  To reduce medical errors, enhance outcomes, and support the vital work of nurses and clinical staff, a strong culture of safety isn’t optional — it’s essential. It’s the foundation that allows healthcare teams to thrive and deliver the best possible care. So, how can healthcare providers leverage these culture of safety insights to drive meaningful improvements?  Improving patient safety culture isn’t just about compliance — it’s about driving real change, improving outcomes and empowering leadership with data-driven decisions. That’s where DataGen’s Culture of Saf...

A critical opportunity for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)  The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) is a critical opportunity for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) aiming to improve care coordination while reducing healthcare costs. For organizations looking to join or renew their participation in MSSP for a Jan. 1, 2026, start date, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released key application deadlines that ACOs must follow.  Key application dates  Application period opens: May 29  Final submission deadline: June 12, at noon (ET)  All applications must be submitted through the ACO Management System . To ensure a smooth application process, ACOs should review the Medicare Shared Savings Program Overview and plan accordingly.  How DataGen supports ACOs  Successfully participating in MSSP requires robust data analysis  and financial benchmarking. DataGen provides tailored solutions to help ACOs navigate the complex...

The implications of Medicare payment policy changes can be both significant and complex. For healthcare providers, hospital administrators and policy analysts, understanding these potential adjustments is essential for financial planning and advocacy.   DataGen’s recently released 2025 Potential Medicare Changes Analysis report offers an in-depth evaluation of how proposed changes could impact Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) payments across various care settings, including inpatient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and more.  Here’s a breakdown of the key findings and insights from our report, providing annual impact estimate breakouts for all proposals from 2026 to 2035.*  What DataGen’s potential Medicare changes analysis covers  The potential Medicare changes analysis reviews Medicare payment scenarios policymakers are considering to achieve long-term deficit reduction and improve payment policies. It evaluates the financial impact o...

*Updated in 2025 Public health is trapped in an inverse relationship. It supports many needs with few resources. The Commonwealth Fund's report,  U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective, 2022: Accelerating Spending, Worsening Outcomes , found that the U.S. spends twice as much on healthcare than the average, high-income country. In particular, we spend more on healthcare treatment and less on prevention, a primary focus of public health.  In CNN's response to The Commonwealth Fund's 2022 report , Jacqueline Howard interviewed Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, who stated, “[W]e don’t do as much primary care prevention as the other nations, and we still have a public health system, which is fractured . . . [We also] under-invest compared to other industrialized nations in societal things. They spend their money on providing upfront support for their citizens. We spend our money on sick care.” If you work in a he...

  Fourth quarter 2024 Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System data submission (SOD) due dates are coming up — and so are the final warning and statement of deficiency issue dates for Q3 2024. Here are the key dates hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers need to know to remain SPARCS compliant.  [Download our quarterly calendar here]  Key compliance dates for SPARCS data: Q3 and Q4 2024  Q3 2024 SPARCS compliance deadlines: Discharge months July - September  March 15  Final/third warning for Q3 2024 data   Facilities that have not resolved their Q3 2024 data errors after receiving three warnings will be issued an SOD.   April 15  SOD issued for Q3 2024 data   Facilities will be issued an SOD on this date.  Q4 2024 SPARCS compliance deadlines: Discharge months October - December   March 31  Submission deadline for Q4 2024 data   Ensure your data are accurate and submitted on time to...

A stronger patient safety culture is achievable   Having accurate, reliable data is the foundation of a strong patient safety culture. Without it, healthcare facilities struggle to make informed decisions based on their  Surveys on Patient Safety Culture™ (SOPS®)  results. Ensuring SOPS® data accuracy is critical, as even small discrepancies can impact the effectiveness of patient safety initiatives.  Watch the last video from our six-part patient safety culture series Access the full video on our YouTube:  6️⃣ SOPS® Beyond Scores: Ensuring Data Accuracy The importance of data accuracy in SOPS® surveys  When healthcare organizations conduct SOPS® surveys, they rely on staff participation to provide genuine insights into their safety culture. However, collecting data is only the first step. If the data are inaccurate or incomplete, leadership may draw incorrect conclusions about their hospital's patient safety culture, potentially leading to ineffective...

Understanding your patient safety culture survey data  Conducting an Surveys on Patient Safety Culture™ (SOPS®) assessment is a critical step in improving patient safety, but the real value lies in what healthcare facilities do with their results. Many organizations focus on identifying weaknesses, but it's just as important to recognize strengths. So, once you've collected the data, what's next? Watch the fifth video from our six-part patient safety culture series Access the full video on our YouTube:  5️⃣ SOPS® Beyond Scores: We Collected the Data, Now What? Step 1: Compile the data into a usable format  After gathering responses, the priority should be organizing the data into a format that facilitates analysis. This means:  creating tables, graphs and charts that provide clear insights;  benchmarking results against the AHRQ national benchmarks ; and  comparing unit-level performance within a hospital or across facilities.  Step 2: Analyze benchma...

How leadership sets the example for patient safety culture  Building a strong patient safety culture starts at the top. When hospital leadership actively supports the Surveys on Patient Safety Culture™ (SOPS®) , it encourages staff participation and reinforces a commitment to continuous improvement. Without leadership buy-in, staff may see patient safety surveys as a low priority, leading to disengagement and missed opportunities for meaningful change.  Watch the fourth video from our six-part patient safety culture series Access the full video on our YouTube:  4️⃣ SOPS® Beyond Scores: Set the Example The critical role of leadership in SOPS® participation   Successful SOPS® survey participation depends on visible leadership endorsement. When executives and senior management express enthusiasm for patient safety culture surveys, that energy spreads throughout the organization. Staff members are more likely to engage when they see leadership prioritizing feedback ...

Addressing Survey Fatigue to Improve Patient Safety Culture  Healthcare facilities rely on the Surveys on Patient Safety Culture™ (SOPS®) to assess their safety climate. However, survey fatigue can hinder participation and impact response rates. To ensure meaningful feedback, healthcare organizations must take strategic steps to encourage engagement while maintaining staff confidence. Watch the third video from our six-part patient safety culture series Access the full video on our YouTube:  3️⃣ SOPS® Beyond Scores: How to Make an Impact 1. Flexible participation: A solution to increase SOPS® response rates  One way to combat survey fatigue is by varying staff participation. Instead of requiring all employees to complete every survey, healthcare facilities can rotate participation. For example, if a unit has eight nurses, four can take one survey while the others complete a different one. This method ensures valuable feedback without overwhelming staff.  Additionall...

Boosting safety and patient outcomes through SOPS® surveys  A strong patient safety culture is the foundation of high-quality healthcare. Healthcare facilities must actively engage their staff in Surveys on Patient Safety Culture™ (SOPS®) to gain critical insights into safety challenges and opportunities for improvement. High participation rates lead to more reliable data, helping organizations implement meaningful changes that enhance both staff confidence and patient outcomes. Here are four ways to boost safety and patient outcomes. Watch the second video from our six-part patient safety culture series Access the full video on our YouTube:  2️⃣ SOPS® Beyond Scores: Boosting Safety and Patient Outcomes. 1. Confidentiality: A cornerstone of patient safety culture surveys  Ensuring anonymity in SOPS® surveys is essential to fostering open and honest feedback. Employees, from environmental services, e.g. EVS technicians, janitors or housekeeping staff, to senior surge...