MICROCOMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEM TO MONITOR SOCIAL AND SUBACUTE SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS

BERKELEY PLANNING ASSOCIATES WILL EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A BASIC MICROCOMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMFOR LOCAL AGENCIES TO MONITOR CLIENT-SPECIFIC, COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL AND SUBACUTE CARE SERVICES AND COSTS. THE INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON FUNCTIONAL STATUS, INFORMAL CAREGIVING, VOLUNTEER SERVICES, FORMAL SOCIAL SERVICE UTILIZATION, AND COSTS INCURRED BY INDIVIDUAL AIDS PATIENTS IN DECENTRALIZED AND OFTEN FRAGMENTED COMMUNITY-BASED CARE SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THE ONE EXISTING IN SAN FRANCISCO. ISSUES OF CONFIDENTIALITY, LINKAGES WITH MEDICAL DATA SYSTEMS, AND MEDICAID AND MEDICARE EXPENDITURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WILL BE EXAMINED, AS WELL AS IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES INCLUDING THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SYSTEM AND LOCAL COORDINATION PROBLEMS. COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE DATA COLLECTION FORMS, DATA ENTRY AND ANALYSIS PROGRAMS, AND USER MANUALS. THIS STUDY IS EXPECTED TO LEAD TO THE ACTUAL DESIGN AND TESTING OF THE BASIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN PHASE II AND THE EVENTUAL DISSEMINATION OF THE DATA SET, APPROPRIATE MANUALS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.