PEI Outcomes FAQ

When should I administer PEI Outcome Measures?

“Pre/post” treatment outcome measures can be completed as early as 7 days prior to the date of the first/last session, on the date of the first/last session, and up to 14 days after the date of the first/last session. “Update” outcome measures should be administered every six months, if treatment lasts longer than 6 months. There is no hard administration window for “update” outcome measure completion.

What do you do if you cannot collect either a “Pre,” “Update,” or “Post” outcome measure?

There is an “Unable to Collect” field in PEI OMA. If a numeric score was not collected, instead provide the “Unable to Collect” reason.

Can “Update” outcome measure scores be entered if “Pre” outcome measure scores were not collected?

Yes. “Update” outcome measure scores can be entered into PEI OMA, as long as an “Unable to Collect” reason is entered in lieu of “Pre” outcome measure scores. Each required outcome measure needs be acknowledged in PEI OMA in one of two ways: (a) collect a numeric score or (b), choose an “Unable to Collect” reason if a score was not collected.

Can “Post” outcome measure scores be entered if “Pre” outcome measure scores were not collected?

Yes. DMH is interested in the “Post” treatment data as well as data reflecting change from “Pre” to “Post” treatment. Therefore, “Post” outcome measure scores should be entered into PEI OMA, as long as the “Pre” treatment outcome measures are already acknowledged in PEI OMA by choosing an “Unable to Collect” reason. Remember, each required outcome measure needs be acknowledged in PEI OMA in one of two ways: (a) collect a numeric score or (b), choose an “Unable to Collect” reason if a score was not collected.

Should my agency collect a “Post” outcome measure(s) if an EBP was not fully completed?

If the client does not complete the EBP, “Post” measures may collected but their collection is not required by DMH. Each agency determines policies regarding collecting “Post” outcome measures when an EBP is not completed.However, entering End of Treatment Information into PEI OMA is still required, which includes date of last treatment session, number of treatment sessions, and treatment disposition, (e.g., the client moved away or started a different treatment).

When does a lockout occur in PEI OMA, causing PEI OMA to reject data?

When the outcome measure is completed outside of the administration window or when a required field(s) is left blank, PEI OMA will generate an error message indicating that the data cannot be submitted.

How frequently should I enter data into PEI OMA?

Entering data as soon as it is available will ensure that any reports developed will contain the most up-to-date information. This in turn helps providers, DMH and the State receive the most up-to-date information. Persons entering data into PEI OMA should follow the policies/procedures set by each legal entity regarding the frequency of data submission into PEI OMA.

How do we collect and enter data in PEI OMA if the client is receiving multiple EBPs simultaneously from a single legal entity (e.g. ART and Seeking Safety)?

Before answering this question, understand that in most cases, clients should be enrolled in only one PEI funded EBP at a time.

To answer the question posed above, data for clients enrolled in more than one EBP simultaneously can be entered into PEI OMA if the EBPs do not have the same focus, e.g., data can be entered for simultaneously if the client is enrolled in IPT, a depression focused treatment, and ART, a disruptive behavior focused treatment, but not if the client is enrolled in ART and PATHS simultaneously, treatments that are both in the Disruptive Behavior Disorder focus.

If a client was too young to complete any PEI Outcome Measures do I still have to enter the client into PEI OMA?

Yes. Open a Treatment Cycle in PEI OMA and provide the required client information. PEI OMA will recognize instances when an outcome measure’s score(s) is not entered due to a client’s age being below minimum age requirement and it will not create space for entering a score(s).

I made a mistake when I entered a client into PEI OMA and now I can’t fix it. What should I do?

Certain entries can’t be edited or undone by users, for example, if you save the wrong Date of First Service or if you start your client under the wrong EBP. When the entry can’t be edited, erase the client’s treatment cycle, then create a new one with the correct information.

Can completed outcome measures be uploaded to a client’s electronic health record (EHR)?

It depends on the copyright rules established by the outcome measure’s publisher.

Completed outcome measures that may be uploaded to a client’s record in an EHR:
OQ Series (YOQ, YOQ-SR, OQ)

PTSD-RI

PTSD-RI-5

RCADS

PHQ-9

GAD-7

ECBI

SESBI-R

TSCYC

RBPC

FAD

PCL-5

PCL-C

SOPS

DERS

Completed outcome measures that may not be uploaded to the client’s record in an EHR:
DECA-I/T

PDS

Can you bill for administering, scoring, and interpreting outcome measures?

Contact DMH’s Quality Assurance division for information.

Can “Pre” outcome measures be administered during the initial assessment phase?

It depends. “Pre” outcome measures need to be administered within the administration window. Agencies can elect to administer outcome measures at intake if it occurs 7 days or less prior to the treatment start date. Agencies should keep in mind a couple of factors in making this determination: 1.) if there is a long wait between intake and the next session of the EBP, there is the potential that the “Pre” outcome measure score(s) collected during the initial intake won’t be accepted by PEI OMA because it was completed outside of the administration window 2.) the challenges clinicians may face if they attempt to complete an initial assessment while simultaneously conducting the first session of an EBP, and collecting outcome measures.

Can case managers and/or non-clinical staff persons administer, score or interpret outcome measures if they’ve received training on the measure?

For all PEI outcome measures, interpretation must be done by a clinical staff person. Each measure has its own rules regarding what constitutes a clinical staff person. The authors of each measure also have rules regarding who can administer and score outcome measures and these rules vary from measure to measure. Information on these rules is available in outcome measure Quick Guides, at outcome measure trainings and in outcome measure manuals.

If a client has a birthday during treatment and ages out of the “Pre” outcome measure, do you still give the same “Post” outcome measure, and if necessary, “Update” outcome measure?

Yes.

Can family members, clinicians, or other persons interpret outcome measures from one language to another?

No, this would invalidate the outcome measure because items may not be interpreted items as they are meant by the measure’s author. If an outcome measure cannot be completed due to language difficulties and there is no authorized translation available, then the appropriate “Unable to Collect” reason code should be entered in PEI OMA.

What outcome measures may be administered verbally (i.e., read) to respondents?

The following outcome measures may be verbally administered to respondents:
•OQ Series (YOQ, YOQ-SR, OQ)
•CBCL-1.5-5/CBCL
•DECA-I/T
•ECBI
•PTSD-RI
•PTSD-RI-5
•GAD-7
•PHQ-9
•DERS
•FAD
•PCL-5
•PCL-C
•RCADS
•SESBI-R
•YSR

Can you answer a clarifying question that a respondent has about an outcome measure’s item(s) meaning?

Rules vary across outcome measures. Information on these rules is available in outcome measure Quick Guides, at outcome measure trainings, and in outcome measure manuals.

What should be done if, during administration of an outcome measure, it is determined that the respondent does not comprehend the items?

Administration should be discontinued if the respondent does not understand items or the task. The outcome measure would be considered invalid and the appropriate “Unable to Collect” reason would be entered in PEI OMA.

Is there a standard definition of the terms “EBP Completed” and “Client’s treatment a success,” in PEI OMA?

No, because rules vary across EBPs. Agencies should contact their EBP Practice Leads to clarify the practice’s definitions of “success in treatment” and “completion of treatment.”

Does the same caregiver have to complete the outcome measures at “Pre, “Update”, and “Post” treatment?

Yes. For example, a child in foster care begins treatment and a foster parent completes the “Pre” treatment ECBI. Then, halfway through treatment the child is moved to a different foster home and has a different foster parent. The second foster parent should not complete a “Post” or “Update” ECBI. In PEI OMA, you would enter the correct “unable to collect” reason.

how do I obtain outcome measures?

•Outcome measures available freely online:

◾PHQ-9 www.phqscreeners.com
◾GAD-7 www.phqscreeners.com
◾PCL-C www.ptsd.va.gov/professional
◾PCL-5 DSM-5 Trauma Measures page on the OMA Wiki
◾RCADS rcads.ucla.edu

•Outcome measures that can be ordered either from DMH or vendors (Note, DMH does not reimburse agencies for the cost of measures purchased from vendors):

◾YOQ
◾YOQ-SR
◾OQ
◾PTSD-RI
◾***PTSD-RI for DSM-5***, instructions for obtaining the PTSD-RI-5 and PCL-5 are in the Forms and Measures section of DMH’s Outcomes webpage.
◾DECA I/T
◾ECBI
◾SESBI–R
◾PDS
◾RBPC
◾TSCYC

•Outcome measures we don’t carry that agencies can purchase (Note, DMH does not provides reimbursement for the cost of measures they agency purchases):

◾CBCL 6-18
◾C-TRF
◾TRF
◾YSR

To order outcome measures from DMH, complete a PEI Outcome Measures Order form, then email it to PEIoutcomes@dmh.lacounty.gov.

Can outcome measures provided by LACDMH be sent to our agency either electronically or by mail?

The only outcome measure DMH may send electronically is the PTSD-RI for DSM-5. All other outcome measures may be distributed either by mail or in-person pickup at DMH Headquarters.

How do I get non-English versions of outcome measures?

The options are:

• Option 1: DMH has some translated outcome measures available and you may order them from DMH. It is the goal of DMH to eventually have all outcome measures translated into each of the County’s 13 threshold languages. DMH will provide updates as new translated outcome measures become available. To find out which translations are currently available, refer to the PEI Outcome Measures Table.
• Option 2: Legal entities can contact vendors selling the outcome measure to see if translations are available for purchase. If the outcome measure is not currently available in a particular language, the legal entity can attempt to work with the vendor to create a translation.

Did DMH switch from using the PTSD-RI for DSM-IV to using the PTSD-RI for DSM-5 and PCL-5?

Yes. PEI practices that were using the UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index (PTSD-RI) for DSM-IV switched to new versions that were updated to comply with the new DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. In addition, the UCLA PTSD-RI Adult Short Form was replaced by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 (PCL-5) for clients 19 and above. These new measures are required for PEI treatment cycles started on/after November 1, 2015. More information on the changes as well as instructions for obtaining the PTSD-RI-5 and PCL-5 are available in the Forms and Measures section of DMH’s Outcomes webpage.

If a child answers “No” to the first page of the Child/Adolescent Self-Report, that no “bad thing” happened to them, would you continue completing the measure or stop?

You would discontinue administration if a client did not meet criteria A (were not exposed to a single traumatic event). The first part of the PTSD – RI Child/Adolescent version (the “Trauma History Profile” and the “Self-Report Trauma History Profile”) establish if Criterion A was met; in other words, whether or not the client was exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lives. In PEI OMA, you would select the most appropriate “Unable to Collect” reason.

What if you have more information about specific trauma incidents which could be troubling the child but the child does not mention them when completing the outcome measure?

You can make a note of supplemental information on the Trauma History Profile and in the client’s charting notes but allow the child to self-identify what is bothering them the most (Self-Report Trauma Profile) and their reactions to it (Reaction Index). The outcome measure is designed to isolate the trauma experience and symptoms the child reports are most bothersome at the time. If the child later identifies a different trauma as most bothersome you may administer the Self-Report Trauma Profile and the Reaction Index again.

Do I have to administer and enter data for both the ECBI and SESBI-R?

No. It is recommended to administer the ECBI if possible and administer the SESBI-R when, in your judgment, the ECBI should not or cannot be administered. If you do have scores for the ECBI and SESBI-R, you may enter both. If you have scores for one of the two outcome measures you would enter the scores for the one you collected and enter the other measure as “Unable to Collect.”

Do I have to administer and enter data for both the parent and teacher RBPC?

No. While you may administer both the RBPC Parent and RBPC teacher you do not have to administer both. Administer the RBPC to a parent/caregiver if possible. Administer it to a teacher when, in your judgment, the outcome measure should not be or cannot be administered to a parent/caregiver. Regarding data entry, you can enter scores for the teacher or the parent, but not both. If you have scores for both, use your best clinical judgment to determine which to enter into PEI OMA.

Do I need to create treatment cycles in PEI OMA for clients enrolled in PEI funded EBPs that require the PSC-35 (e.g., CORS, Stepped Care)?

Treatment cycles are required for all clients in PEI OMA, however the PSC-35 scores are entered elsewhere in accordance with DMH’s PSC-35 data collection protocol.

Does DMH release PEI Outcomes data to providers?

Providers can access some PEI outcomes reports using COGNOS. They can also request PEI Outcomes reports from DMH using the PEI Outcomes Report order form, available in the Forms and Measures section of DMH’s PEI Outcomes webpage. We plan to make PEI OMA data available for providers to create their own reports. This will be part of the third release of PEI OMA.

How will data be used with regard to individual, agency, and EBP performance?

Data will be utilized at multiple levels (e.g., client, service area, state) to evaluate services and inform decisions.