NATIONAL TREATMENT INDICATORS REPORT RELEASED BY THE CANADIAN CENTRE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE Posted on March 19th, 2012 Effective treatment is a necessity in reducing the risks and harms associated with alcohol and other drug use in Canada. However, many Canadians do not have access to the full range of services and supports that comprise an effective treatment continuum.
Improving the quality, accessibility, and availability of treatment options is a priority under the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances in Canada. The report A Systems Approach to Substance Use in Canada: Recommendations for a National Treatment Strategy was produced by a broadly representative Working Group to address this priority. With funding obtained through Health Canada’s Drug Treatment Funding Program, CCSA is working with partners across Canada to promote the implementation of the report’s recommendations in the following areas:
Leadership
Knowledge Exchange
Promoting a Tiered Model of Services and Supports
System Monitoring
DATIS AND THE DELISTING OF PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS Posted on March 13th, 2012 With the delisting of some prescription opioids in Ontario, DATIS will be running weekly comparative queries on admissions for prescription opioids and heroine. The intent is to verify upwards trending in admissions once the substances become harder to find/more expensive.
The results will be posted in the Reports & Statistics Section of the DATIS website.
CRITICAL IT UPDATES IMPACTING CATALYST Posted on February 4th, 2012 We operate in an electronic world, but sometimes for reasons scheduled or unplanned (internet or electricity outages), these systems we rely on can become unavailable for extended periods.
You may have noticed that there have been more frequent Catalyst outages due to system maintenance activity during the past few months.
Reasoning
DATIS’ Information Technology provider has been performing important system upgrades to improve the overall performance and stability of the systems DATIS uses to provide its services.
Important Dates
There are two upcoming important upgrades that will occur on the weekends of February 10th and February 24th starting Friday at 4:00pm. These upgrades will require that Catalyst be unavailable from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. Due to the nature of these upgrades the outage might extend beyond the scheduled time.
Agency Preparation/Downtime Procedure
Planned outages bring up an important consideration: Does your agency have a downtime procedure to ensure that you can operate effectively while Catalyst is unavailable? To help in this matter DATIS has provided:
· the attached Catalyst forms to collect the required information for data entry once Catalyst becomes available (KB article #203 in Catalyst Helpdesk); and
· a list of recommended reports to generate client lists.
We recommend you use these tools for scheduled downtimes and other future interruptions.
We thank you for your understanding and patience during the scheduled maintenance outages, and we look forward to providing you with a safe, secure and responsive client information system.
DATIS LOOKING TO SUPPORT TOUCH SCREEN AND TABLET TECHNOLOGY Posted on January 9th, 2012 With a renewed interest in portability, more and more clinicians are looking for effective methods of data collection, where the interaction with individuals is not hampered by typing away on a computer.
The industry is seeing a rapid development of fast and affordable tablets and touch screen computers. Recognizing its clinical utilization, DATIS is pursuing testing of Catalyst compatibility with said devices.
SUCCESS STORY: IMPROVING INTAKE PROCEDURES – RESIDENTIAL WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES Posted on October 21st, 2011 Situation
In 2005 one Residential Withdrawal Management Services (RWMS) agency in Toronto was closed down. The Regional MoHLTC office started negotiations with several local agencies, which provide Withdrawal Management Services (WMS), to reconfigure the operations of those services in the region, including residential and community withdrawal management treatment.
The Challenges
When DATIS was approached to support this project, it faced two challenges:
1. The need to adapt DATIS’ web-based client information system, Catalyst, to the emerging needs of the Toronto WMS providers.
2. DATIS was asked to set up and provide consistent data collection among the existing Toronto WMS providers.
Actions Taken
After many discussions and needs analysis with various stakeholders, DATIS developed a new Catalyst module, Central Access, which is accessible to the telephone-based centralized access system.
The centralized access intake process starts with a screening tool that guides trained intake workers to ask questions and make appropriate referrals to day, residential or community WMS services. In some cases, referrals are made to a hospital for medical clearance or intervention. Outcomes of referrals to the Toronto WMS providers are captured in Catalyst for each referral made.
In addition, DATIS created several complex reports to help the Central Access coordinators manage and analyze client access patterns, wait events, availability and needs.
Positive Results Effective Planning: DATIS’ new Central Access module and associated reports provide easy access to client tracking information, which has advanced and helped understand the withdrawal management system in Toronto, as well as provide information for planning and policy making. The data helped the stakeholders to better understand the clients’ characteristics, admission patterns and frequency of visits across the system. Anecdotally, it was known that clients moved between services, but with the data from the DATIS Central Access module, the numbers could be quantified.
Development of New Initiatives: The information gleaned from the DATIS Central Access module was instrumental in a significant number of changes in the delivery of addiction services in Toronto. In 2010 the “Toronto Community Addiction Team” (TCAT) project was initiated and funded by the Toronto Central LHIN. The TCAT initially ran for 18 months to deal with high frequency users of WMS and emergency department services. An evaluation conducted by the Centre for Research in Inner City Health (to be released in the near future) shows a 57% reduction in repeat users of WMS and a 54% reduction of emergency rooms by TCAT clients.
Increased Knowledge Sharing: At the request of the participating Toronto WMS agencies, DATIS developed a comprehensive report, provided quarterly, which compares similar services among the different sites along with caseloads, occupancy rates, referral patterns etc. This report is assisting in the exchange of ideas among the agencies and in helping coordinate efforts by comparing caseloads, and standardizing the WMS processes across the region.
Increased Referrals: Since the Deployment of the Central Access system in 2006, more than 70% of clients treated in the Toronto WMS agencies were referred by the Central Access system. “Self” referrals or walk-ins to WMS services in Toronto were greatly reduced from 67% of admissions in 2005/06 to 11% in 2010/11.
Summary
The ability to collect and review the data from DATIS Central Access module was instrumental in numerous improvements to the delivery of addiction services in Toronto. Understanding the demand for addiction services and the types of services required is helping the system to make better decisions for the future. As the addiction system moves forward with integrating and preparing Resource Matching and Referral (RMnR), the lessons learned from the coordination of WMS via the Central Access process and the Catalyst module will be a valuable part of planning.
FEDERAL DRUG TREATMENT FUND PROJECT FUNDING AWARDED TO DATIS Posted on July 12th, 2011 Federal Drug Treatment Fund Project funding awarded to DATIS
DATIS, amongst other stakeholders in the Province, has been awarded a two year federal funds grant to pursue the Review of Treatment Data Fields and Provincial Service Categories.
DATIS wants to ensure that the Province has the addiction treatment data needed to support its Addiction Strategy, its accountability requirements and its planning needs for the next five years.
This project will entail a comprehensive review of data elements currently collected by the Province’s addiction treatment data system (DATIS) to ensure the integrity of each element, its utility for planning and accountability and its alignment with the Province’s Addiction Strategy.
It will also include a review of the Province’s existing service definitions, developed in 2000, to ensure that the existing service definitions efficiently distinguish the types of addiction treatment services provided in Ontario and incorporate revisions that will support case costing and treatment outcome monitoring initiatives. This review of service definitions will be undertaken in conjunction with ConnexOntario, the provincially funded agency responsible for maintaining the registry of treatment agencies and providing treatment referral services.
Key project elements:
1. Formation of a project management team
• Establishment of a project advisory committee
• Selection of a research assistant / analyst
• Selection of a senior consultant
• Provision of support resources
• Development of detailed work plan
2. Data element analysis
• Review definitional clarity, integrity and utility of each data element
• Examine relationships between elements.
• Examine the relationship of each element to Provincial Addiction Strategy, to mental health treatment data elements, to the federal addiction treatment strategy initiative, to treatment data in other provinces and jurisdictions within Canada, and to US, European, UK and Australian treatment data
• Identify data elements required to support the client outcome monitoring project
• Review current literature on treatment data
• Consolidate gaps and shortcomings in current treatment data elements
• Propose modification and additions to data elements to address identified gaps and shortcomings
3. Review of provincial service definitions
• Review definitional clarity, integrity and utility of each of the existing provincial service definitions
• Review relationship of provincial service definitions to Ontario’s Management Information System functional centres
• Review definitions of services in other jurisdictions, primarily other provinces and territories to establish consistency or translation routines.
• Propose modifications and adjustments to provincial service definitions
4. Consultations
Consultations will be conducted largely through web and teleconferences
• Consultation with key users of treatment data within the various branches of Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care including Mental Health and Addictions Programs, Policy and Standards Branch, Health Data Branch, LHIN Relations Branch, Provincial Programs Branch and the branch responsible for MIS
• Consultation with provincial addiction treatment organizations including Federation of Community Mental Health and Addictions Programs and Addictions Ontario
• Consultation with Local Health Integration Networks
• Consultation with addiction treatment agencies regarding proposed modifications and adjustments.
DATIS MOVES TO ORACLE 11G RAC DATABASE Posted on June 24th, 2011 Over the course of this weekend, DATIS has moved its database environment from Oracle 9i cluster to Oracle 11g RAC. In addition, ageing servers were replaced by powerful hardware, normally used for ESX platforms
The result is a faster, secure and more reliable database.
In the coming months, DATIS is looking forward to enhancing its Catalyst Software with additional modular features.
FISCAL YEAR END STATISTICAL SUMMARY AND DETAILED LHIN REPORTS RELEASED Posted on June 7th, 2011 DATIS has reviewed and released the Fourth Quarter (Fiscal Year End) Statistical Summary and Detailed LHIN reports for the 2010/11 fiscal year.
The reports are available within the Private Area login.
CATALYST NOW COMPATIBLE WITH FIREFOX Posted on March 7th, 2011 As internet technology advances, so do web browsers. Nowadays, different browsers not only offer enhanced customization, but different levels of security as well.
Until recently for Catalyst users, the experience was limited to Microsoft Internet Explorer.
DATIS is pleased to release a Catalyst version compatible with the Firefox browser.
In the near future, DATIS will be expanding its Catalyst support to Safari, Google Chrome and Opera browsers. These would allow participating agencies to utilize whichever environment is best suited for their operations, even iPads and similar tablets.
DATIS GRANTED CATALYST ACCESS TO NON PARTICIPATING AGENCIES Posted on February 23rd, 2011 On a cold Sudbury day, DATIS made history.
For the first time since its creation, DATIS has granted access to its Catalyst Software to a non participating Agency.
DATIS staff spent a day with the North Shore Tribal Council staff, training on the use and reporting mechanisms of Catalyst. Catalyst Software access to a First Nations oriented agency is unprecedented in the level of coordination necessary to obtain Health Canada, the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care participation.
It is DATIS’ goal to increase the scope of its data sets by progressively including First Nations oriented agencies. In the near future, DATIS will be capable of providing comprehensive reporting to the Ministry of Community and Social Services - Ontario Works and Health Canada. In addition, by including these data sets into its database, DATIS will be able to broaden the perspective on services provided for Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling within the Province of Ontario with a more encompassing database.
DATIS IS CHANGING THE WAY IT COMMUNICATES WITH PARTICIPATING AGENCIES Posted on January 4th, 2011 DATIS Helpdesk to be launched on January 17th 2011
DATIS is proud to announce a new and improved method for communicating issues to its Helpdesk. In order to respond more effectively to agencies’ requests and in order to create a structured body of knowledge, DATIS has decided to retire its Helpdesk email, currently used by participating agencies.
As of January 17th 2011, DATIS will launch a new web-based application called DATIS Helpdesk. Through this customized application, CSA’s and Directors will be able to report technical problems, request reports, update agency information and any other issues for which the email method was used before.
DATIS Helpdesk will facilitate an environment of collaboration, mutual learning and will result in effective resource management for agencies and for DATIS.
DATIS RELEASES INTERFACE DOCUMENTATION Posted on December 1st, 2010 DATIS has released the complete documentation necessary to utilize its Universal Interface.
The Interface allows participating agencies to utilize the third party vendor Software of their choice, by providing a validated export mechanism directly to the DATIS database.
The Interface validates and incorporates mandatory fields data into the database without the use of the Catalyst Software.
This option eliminates the need for double entry by agencies currently utilizing a third party vendor Software for their other departmental needs.
DATIS TO OFFER OCAN ASSESSMENT Posted on November 2nd, 2010 Sixty-seven percent of admissions entered into Catalyst identify a concurrent disorder.
In order to better serve the community, DATIS is in the process of targeting a modular release of OCAN. Participating agencies would have the capacity to not only administer OCAN, but allow the client to self administer, as well.
In addition, following requests from participating agencies, DATIS is scoping the release of encrypted case notes as well as the possibility of self-managed inter agencies e-referrals.
NEW DATIS GRAPH REPORT Posted on September 28th, 2010 DATIS has released a new Provincial Data Graph Report. The report is available within the Reports & Statistics Section.
Similar reports are available by LHIN, upon request.
DATIS RELEASES GUIDELINES FOR INTERFACE USE Posted on September 2nd, 2010 DATIS is in its final phase of testing its universal interface.
With a release date rapidly approaching, organizations that are seriously considering the interface as an option need to consider the following:
Recommended Users
*If your agency only provides Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling services, the interface is not recommended, Catalyst would still remain as the best solution. The interface is beneficial for those agencies providing services beyond Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling. For these agencies, additional data entry for other programming creates instances of double entry. The interface allows agencies to select the Software that benefits them the most. The agencies are then responsible to program their systems to extract and transmit data according to interface data and transmission specifications. Once the submission is processed successfully through the DATIS interface for validations, submission records will be inserted in the DATIS Oracle central database.
Data Quality
*DATIS expects participating agencies interested in using the interface to clean their data in Catalyst prior to the first interface submission. Data quality will be reviewed by DATIS and must be accepted prior to the transmission of your agency’s data.
*It is important to note that the agencies opting to use the Interface are still responsible to adhere to all business rules that are currently in effect in Catalyst, otherwise the Interface will reject the submitted records.
Scheduling Transmissions
*As the interface utilizes the same network switches as Catalyst, participating agencies intending on using the interface will have scheduled transmission times, likely during the weekend. Of course, if your agency opts for real time transmission, the data are automatically transmitted and validated through the interface to the DATIS Oracle database.
Weekly Submissions
*Agency data submissions will be processed weekly, as scheduled by DATIS. For quality assurance purposes, monthly and/or quarterly data submissions will not be allowed.
Pilot Phase and Ongoing Assistance
*DATIS will create a pilot phase for third party Software vendors during which it will assist and troubleshoot with vendors to ensure data validation compliance. After the pilot phase, DATIS will provide limited technical assistance only to participating agencies. For agencies that chose to use the interface, the DATIS helpdesk staff will only provide Catalyst related support. DATIS will continue providing the annual data quality review, but assistance to resolve data quality issues for agencies using the interface will not be available.
*Agencies must continue to use Catalyst to enter their data until the pilot phase with the agency is completed and permission from DATIS to start using the Interface is received.
Contracts
*DATIS is developing contracts for agencies using the interface for their data submissions. The contract will include, but is not limited to:
1. Agencies will be expected to maintain a rigorous error remediation process, whereas data refused by the interface as not valid must be corrected within five business days prior to attempting a new submission.
2. Agencies will be expected to continue utilizing the Catalyst reports regularly to monitor the quality and integrity of data.
3. Use of the interface implies submission of at very least, all mandatory fields data.
4. DATIS reserves the right to revoke interface access for agencies proven to be non-compliant for a period not exceeding one quarter of a fiscal year. Should this happen, the agency would be reported as non-compliant with data submission.
If your agency is interested in using the DATIS interface for data submissions, please contact us with the following information:
Agency name and DART
Agency technical contact person (e-mail + telephone number)
Name of third party Software vendor and product
Vendor contact person (e-mail + telephone number)
DATIS is looking forward to providing participating agencies with this added service.
UPDATED STATISTICAL REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009/10 ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Posted on July 30th, 2010 DATIS is pleased to announce that updated Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling Statistical Tables for fiscal year 2005/06 to 2009/10 are available in the Reports and Statistics section.
Also available in the Private User area are Caseload and Client demographic reports by LHIN for fiscal year 2009/10.
DATIS TO LAUNCH ENHANCED WAITLIST FEATURE Posted on June 16th, 2010 In consultation with key participating agencies, DATIS is developing standards for the deployment of a comprehensive waitlist module within the Catalyst software.
The new waitlist module will include several new features and enhancements to improve users’ workflow. Key elements essential to the proper functioning of the waitlist will be automated, such as the automatic waitlist removal of a client upon registration into a program. DATIS will also be enhancing the reporting features associated with the waitlist, affording participating agencies greater flexibility in tracking and reporting on waitlist data sets.
DATIS' STRATEGIC PLANNING Posted on May 15th, 2010 Catalyst Reports Utilization
DATIS has engaged Johnston Consulting for the development of a DATIS Strategic Planning.
The focus of this exercise is to map DATIS current contribution to the field of Substance Abuse & Problem Gambling, and to scope future ventures and recommended enhancements in services, reporting and stakeholder relations.
As part of this project, Johnston Consulting interviewed one-hundred and forty-three participating agencies on their use of Catalyst Reports as their primary source of reporting.
The results indicate that the Catalyst Reports are utilized as follows:
• 60.14% of agencies use them to Describe Services;
• 68.53% of agencies use them to Analyze Utilization;
• 63.64% of agencies use them to conduct Informed Planning;
• 79.02% of agencies use them to Support Accountability reporting to the Ministry and LHINs; and
• 21.68% of agencies use them for further customized activities.
In the near future, DATIS will be re-structuring its Catalyst Reports Module so to provide stakeholders with not only an enhanced and user friendly accessibility to data, but with the capacity to instantaneously produce on demand queries as well.
DATIS LAUNCHES ITS NEW WEBSITE Posted on January 25th, 2010 DATIS is pleased to launch its newly designed website!
The new DATIS website provides a fresh new look and easy access to data and reports. Amongst its new/enhanced features are:
* A Private login area, featuring LHIN, Provincial and specialized reports for affiliated users.
* Easy access to Reports, featuring a search engine by Category, Focus Area, even by Key word!
* An ever growing Link Section, including all currently participating agencies.
Please take a moment to look at DATIS website's sections.
