Nebraska Data Collection

University of Nebraska Medical Center, Health Professions Tracking Service (HPTS)

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Marlene Deras

(402) 559-2972

Yes reports are posted to website

The Health Professions Tracking Service (HPTS) was established to document the retention of Nebraska healthcare professionals. HPTS has operated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center since 1995. HPTS mails surveys to professionals meeting identified criteria annually and many practice locations annually/semi-annually. Responses are entered into a customized relational database linking professionals and facilities. The integrated data builds upon itself. If a clinic (MD, DO, APRN, PA practice location) has not responded to a survey within the past year, telephone follow-up is made to confirm contact information and professionals practicing. Additionally, HPTS compares data against Nebraska licensure and updates from a multitude of sources (news advertisements, good will notifications, contact with facilities, professionals, etc.). Data is confirmed and updated continuously. The survey processes for professionals and facilities are consistent; however, the surveys are tailored to the profession. Basic professional information maintained includes demographic, education, practice locations (primary & satellite), specialties, and more. Practice location maintained includes address, GPS, telephone numbers, professionals practicing, and recruitment activity. The HPTS relational database allows the maintenance of historical information. The database structure allows new professions and facility types to be added and surveyed quickly (in recent cases, less than 1 week.) HPTS is consistent with data entry structure – professional and facility names, education, addresses, etc. With this consistency, the data can be used for federal and state shortage area designations, practitioner contact information for the Nebraska Health Alert Network (HAN), a 400+ page of healthcare professionals/practice location directory, strategic planning, workforce reports, policy reports, grants, targeted mailing lists, GIS mapping, and more.

Workforce Supply Data

Item Value CRNADENDHLPNMWNPPAPHAPHYPSYPTRNSW
Data collected for:These professions    
Data collected through:Survey that is not part of the licensing process    
Survey that is part of the licensing process             
Telephone interview             
In-person interview             
Other             
The survey is:Mandatory             
Not Mandatory    
Data collected on:Every Individual    
Sample of Individuals             
Types of information collected:Demographic characteristics    
Educational background    
Practice characteristics    
Other    
Data collected at:One time only             
Regular intervals    
Other             

Workforce Demand Data

Item Value CRNADENDHLPNMWNPPAPHAPHYPSYPTRNSW
Data collected for:These professions         
Practice Settings:Community health centers             
Home health agencies             
Hospitals             
Nursing homes             
Physician offices             
Other         
Types of information collected:Vacancies         
Turnover             
Recruitment difficulty         
Retention difficulty             
Other             
Data collected at:One time only             
Regular intervals         
Other