NHIF is undertaking a new initiative to collect standardized data throughout its projects to allow for the evaluation of equitable access to infusion treatments in alternate sites. NHIF has adopted the Office of Management and Budget and Health and Human Services standard categories for race and ethnicity and urges all providers to include voluntary questions in their admissions process to capture this data.

With the nationwide focus on equitable access to health care, it will soon be imperative for us to track the metrics necessary to report on industry performance in this area. Therefore, the Foundation is announcing a new initiative to collect standardized data to evaluate equitable access to infusion treatments in alternate sites.

NHIF will adopt the standard categories for race and ethnicity and urges all providers to include voluntary questions in their admissions process to capture this data. These definitions were developed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and introduced in 1997.

Race categories

• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Asian
• Black or African American
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
• White
• Other

Ethnicity categories

• Hispanic or Latino
• Not Hispanic or Latino.

NHIF recognizes that individual providers use a variety of software systems and processes to collect data but also maintains that standardized definitions are a critical element in allowing providers to engage in industry-wide benchmarking and research activities. By adopting the nationally recognized “Race” and “Ethnicity” definitions, providers and the industry will be better prepared to make comparisons between the home infusion and other health care services and industries.

Please help us identify the extent to which our industry reaches a diverse population and as many patients as possible by collecting this information.

Access the NHIF Standard Definitions for Race and Ethnicity
Access all the NHIF Standard Definitions