To maintain expected outcomes, organizations must evaluate both the PROCESS and the OUTCOMES of SBIRT. Although this is something that is commonly associated with the end of the implementation process, it is an ongoing and fluid activity that can be initiated as soon as organizations start to receive feedback. Feedback in this case refers to information about how well SBIRT services are going within the organization. Outcome feedback will also include individual data from patients and aggregate data of all patients who experienced SBIRT within a given period of time.

When considering what to evaluate, it is often the outcomes that are the main focus. However, process information is essential to maintaining a smooth-running SBIRT machine.

Outcome data can be reviewed by persons in a range of roles within an organization. As discussed earlier in this module, outcome data can be best utilized if the information is reviewed by various staff members across the entire system. When staff are able to review data, they are more likely to see how their role influences patient care and can observe when process changes may be needed for better patient-level outcomes.

Learn more about what to examine in your organization’s SBIRT evaluation process by clicking below: