Data Use for Quality Improvement Initiative: Post-Training Report

The initiative aimed to modify and scale up the quality improvement/quality assurance (QI/QA) process that had successfully improved staff productivity and health service quality at Tanzania's Makole Health Centre. A draft data use for QI/QA Joint Initiative workplan was developed by Data.FI in collaboration with UNICEF, proposing the operationalization of situation rooms at different levels of the health system. Situation rooms would leverage PORALG's analytic platform, Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (iMES), to engage stakeholders in implementing the data use for QI/QA methodology and improve key indicators. The initiative aimed to enable the consistent and continuous review of data vital to the development of evidence-based programming and QI/QA improvement plans. The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was formulated in May 2021, with the overall aim of providing thought leadership to the data use for QI/QA Joint Initiative. The joint implementation work plan was presented and validated by TAG members in Morogoro, May 2021. Among the activities of the validated joint implementation work plan was capacity building for the Council Health Management Teams (CHMTs) to operationalize the QI/QA data use methodology within the context of situation rooms. To implement this activity, Data.FI, with leadership from PORALG and the capacity building sub-TAG committee, presented draft CHMT orientation materials for validation at the national stakeholders' workshop held in July 26 to 28, 2021, in Morogoro Region. Validated materials were then piloted in August 2-4 to the Chamwino CHMT. The validated materials were further improved and ready for orientation to the rest of the councils selected to implement the initiative. During the period of August to September, a total of 76 CHMT members from the four councils (Chamwino, Dodoma City, Kinondoni, and Temeke) were oriented on the QI/QA data use methodology within the context of the situation room. The orientation workshops were designed to enable CHMTs to conduct their own QI projects within the context of situation room meetings by reviewing digitized data available at the council level, conducting analysis, setting objectives, and implementing action plans for improvement. The initiative aimed to improve key indicators, including staff productivity and health service quality, by leveraging PORALG's analytic platform and engaging stakeholders in implementing the data use for QI/QA methodology. The capacity building for CHMTs was a critical component of the initiative, enabling them to operationalize the QI/QA data use methodology within the context of situation rooms. The validated materials and orientation workshops were designed to support the implementation of the initiative and improve the quality of health services in Tanzania.