When desired effects are not achieved, the information obtained through these measures directs quality-improvement activities. In addition to decision support and quality-assessment tools, the information system enables access to a variety of data. Population data describe the demographic characteristics, health conditions, health and functional status, and quality of life of community members to support decision-making about the service needs of the community. Enrollment data detail demographic, insurance and baseline health and mental health status of enrollees and family members. Encounter data characterize users of services, types of services used and frequency of use.
Financial data reflect costs of services as well as program and other administrative costs.
Human-resource data describe the characteristics of providers of care and ancillary staff, while organization data reflect organizational structures and processes. When population, enrollment, encounter and financial data are linked to data generated from quality-assessment tools, they can be used to answer the most crucial questions from stakeholders. If a contract requires an MBHO to provide mental health services to certain percentages and categories of a state s population, enrollment and encounter data will show whether these requirements have been met. If a clinical guideline specifies that an individual with certain characteristics should receive a particular treatment, encounter data for that individual will show whether or not the treatment was provided. Encounter and outcome data aggregated from many individuals will show the extent to which a system of care provides expected treatment and systemwide effects.