Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) across Washington, D.C. are collaborating to address a persistent challenge: patients who experience violent injuries often receive care at multiple hospitals over time, yet the information essential to supporting their recovery remains fragmented across existing data systems. Current data infrastructures also do not fully capture the full social, legal, and structural context shaping patients’ experiences, resulting in gaps in care coordination and requiring individuals to repeatedly share the same information to different providers. With the support of Finch Strategies LLC, Choice Research Associates is serving as a guiding facilitator for this initiative. While not providing program-specific subject matter expertise in the medical field, our team brings experience in process engineering, database configuration, and collaborative facilitation to help align stakeholders, maintain focus on agreed-upon objectives, and provide the structure and technical insight needed to advance development of a shared common data model during this foundational phase.
This initial phase centers on designing that common data model—establishing core and supplemental data elements, clarifying shared definitions and operational standards across sites, and building agreement on how information should be captured to best support HVIP programs. The primary goal is to better serve patients by enabling a more complete, longitudinal understanding of their experiences across injuries and systems, strengthening continuity of care and informed intervention. Secondary goals include improving documentation to support patients’ rights, advancing quality improvement efforts, and laying the groundwork for future research and analysis. By aligning on what data matter, how they are defined, and how they may be used, HVIPs are building the foundation for more coordinated, responsive, and patient-centered care across Washington, D.C.