Assessment & Evaluation

The Uniform Data System (UDS) is a core set of data used by government agencies to review the operation and performance of federally supported health centers. The UDS tracks a variety of information, including patient demographics, services provided, staffing, clinical indicators, utilization rates, costs, and revenues. The UDS is a reporting requirement for grantees of the primary care programs funded by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Bureau of Primary Care (BPHC).

The data are reviewed to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, improve health center performance and operations, and report overall program accomplishments. The data help to identify trends over time, enabling HRSA to establish or expand targeted programs and identify effective services and interventions to improve the health of underserved communities and vulnerable populations. UDS data are compared with national data to review differences between the U.S. population at large and those individuals and families who rely on the health care safety net for primary care. UDS data also inform Health Center programs, partners, and communities about the patients served by Health Centers. It is possible that the data would be sensitive to organizational and training efforts incorporating interprofessional collaborative practice.