Effective February 1, 2021, the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) discontinued the Performance Analysis Session of the Health Center Program Site Visit Protocol (SVP).  Prior to February 1, 2021, health centers with upcoming Virtual Operational Site Visits (VOSV) were provided the option to “opt-out” of completing the Performance Analysis Session for the Diabetes Performance Measure.  With the implementation of new guidance, health centers will no longer have the option to choose to conduct a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for the Diabetes Performance Measure as part of the VOSV.  In addition, as of April 2021, the Performance Analysis Session will no longer be included in the final report.

Although the Performance Analysis Session has been discontinued, it is important for health centers to maintain compliance with the Quality Improvement/Assurance requirements outlined in the HRSA Health Center Compliance Manual (Health Center Compliance Manual – Chapter 10) and Health Center Site Visit Protocol (Health Center Site Visit Protocol – Quality Improvement/Assurance).  With decreasing clinical performance measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for health centers to remain diligent in their efforts to improve outcomes.  Best practices demonstrate one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes is through the completion of a RCA.   

Health centers with questions regarding the discontinuation of the Performance Analysis Session, or requests for additional Technical Assistance (TA) in the area of Quality Improvement/Assurance, should contact their Federal Project Officer.