Use of SPARRA
SPARRA is used to support local teams in CHPs to provide coordinated, anticipatory care for patients with complex needs and long term conditions.
As the range of customers requesting SPARRA data has increased throughout Scotland it has become apparent that different localities are using the information in a variety of ways. In order to track these applications ISD is compiling a dossier of current uses in SPARRA throughout the country and new uses as they emerge.
By providing a central resource accessible to SPARRA users, details of local uses and best practice can be shared, facilitating cross fertilisation of ideas and assisting ISD in informing future development of SPARRA based on local needs and priorities.
The use of SPARRA project has been planned around 2 distinct phases of increasing detail. Phase 1 was completed in February 2011 and phase 2 commenced in March 2011.
Phase 1 - How and to what extent SPARRA is being used
In phase 1, a brief 6 part questionnaire was distributed to 30 contacts who had received SPARRA data in recent quarters. The questions covered the following topics:
- Individuals to whom SPARRA data is forwarded
- Local modifications to the output
- Local additions to the output
- Data sharing protocols in place
- Local uses of the SPARRA data
- Suggested additional information to be included in the output
A short report was compiled from the questionnaire responses, detailing the findings across the localities of how and to what extent SPARRA is being used.
Investigating the Use of SPARRA - Phase 1 report
[140kb]
Key findings from the use of SPARRA report:
- Although patterns of disseminating the SPARRA data varies considerably, nearly three quarters of the contacts distribute the SPARRA data to some or all GP practices within their locality.
- Nearly half of all contacts supplement SPARRA data with local data and many cross check against local data to identify vulnerable patients.
- In line with the above, SPARRA is in the main used as a case finding tool to identify patients who may benefit from anticipatory care.
- SPARRA is also used to identify at risk patients with specific diseases, particularly long term conditions
- A small number of localities use SPARRA for service planning and configuration.
- A significant number of localities thought that the inclusion of prescribing data would augment the current SPARRA methodology.
- Other suggested refinements included improved functionality (filtering/highlighting), improved format and presentation, and more timely and frequent updates.
Key recommendations from the use of SPARRA report:
- Develop a more systematic approach to local dissemination to ensure all frontline staff with a specific need have access to the data.
- More formal data sharing agreements between health boards and local councils would enable the local potential of SPARRA to be better utilised.
- SPARRA as a case finding tool has a great potential to become an integral, embedded part of the anticipatory care planning process.
- There is greater scope for SPARRA to be used in service planning.
- Additional data items (prescribing, primary care, A&E) would improve the SPARRA algorithm.
- User applied filters on the SPARRA variables would improve functionality and using charts and guidance notes would improve presentation and aid interpretation.
Phase 2 - Compiling the live dossier of uses
The findings and recommendations from this report will contribute to a second phase (currently under way) where more detailed information will be collected from selected Phase 1 respondents. Ultimately this will be compiled to form the basis of a continuous, dynamic resource, utilised at local level, where examples of good practice are identified, explored and captured and which facilitates the sharing of ideas and information between health boards, CHPs and GPs.
