Moving to patient reported collection of race and ethnicity data: Implementation and impact in ten hospitals

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility of collecting standardized, patient reported race and ethnicity (RE) data in hospitals, and to assess the impact on data quality and utility. Design/methodology/approach: Part of a larger evaluation that included a comprehensive assessment. Sites documented RE data collection procedures before and after program implementation. Primary data collected through qualitative interviewing with key respondents in ten hospitals to assess implementation. Nine hospitals provided RE data on the same patients before and after implementation new data collection procedures were implemented to assess impact. Findings: Implementation went smoothly in nine of ten hospitals and had substantial effects on the hospital staff awareness on the potential for disparities within their hospitals. New procedures had minimal impact on characterization of readmitted patients. Practical implications: This study demonstrated that it is feasible for staff in a diverse group of hospitals to implement systematic, internally standardized methods to collect self-reported RE data from patients. Originality/value: Although this study found little impact patients' demographic characterizations, other benefits included greater awareness of and attention to disparities, uncovering small pockets of minorities, and dramatically increased RE data use in quality improvement efforts.