Updated September 2023
General Questions
Q. Does this replace the State Profiles website? How is it different?
A. Yes, the dashboard replaces the State Profiles website. This dashboard advances RWHAP data dissemination efforts by providing a highly interactive, user-friendly platform. As a result, the State Profiles website will be repurposed for other dissemination activities.
Q. How many years of data are in the dashboard? When will new data be added?
A. The dashboard includes data from 2010 through 2021, which is the most recently released RSR data. The dashboards will be updated annually, as new data are released.
Q. Is there a way to download the data in the dashboard?
A. The ability to download specific images, PDFs, and data is currently disabled. We will be assessing the feasibility of enabling download options in the future. Currently, users can capture screenshots of visualizations for use in documents and presentations and can refer to data available in the RWHAP Annual Client-Level Data Report.
Data Questions
Q. Does the Compass Dashboard break down data by funding source (i.e., among the Parts)?
A. Similar to the RSR data reports, these data are not Part-specific but rather include all clients served by RWHAP. Selecting a state or metropolitan area will show data for that geographic region, regardless of the funding source; i.e., data represented are not specific to any one RWHAP Part, regardless of the geographic area selected (state or metropolitan area). For example, selecting the state of Washington would show information for all clients served by providers located in the state of Washington across Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D funding sources.
Q. Will I be able to see provider-level data?
A. At this time, the dashboard reflects all RWHAP clients served in the jurisdiction rather than provider-specific data. The ability to view provider-level data may be included in future releases.
Q. Do you footnote which data are service-specific? For example, the viral load is not reported on all RWHAP clients, just those who received one or more Outpatient/Ambulatory Health Services.
A. Yes, there are notes embedded within the dashboard, as well as detailed information in the User Guide and Fact Sheet about which clients contribute to which calculations. The dashboard also displays numerator and denominator values for clinical outcome calculations.
Q. How will HRSA use the dashboard information: as a guide for integrated planning review or as a compliance/performance measure for the jurisdiction as a whole?
A. HRSA developed this dashboard to support the important work of its recipients, sub-recipients, HRSA staff, and the clients served. The dashboard is not meant to be a formal monitoring tool; it aims to provide information to guide discussions within communities and between Project Officers and recipients.
Q. How do I find the definition for a specific category or variable in the dashboard?
A. There are detailed definitions for all variables in the Technical Notes section of the RWHAP Compass Dashboard User Guide, which is available on TargetHIV (https://targethiv.org/RWHAPCompass).
Q. Why is the retention in care measure definition used in the RWHAP Compass Dashboard different from the annual retention in care measure in the HAB Performance Measures?
A. The RSR data report is the data source for the dashboard; therefore, it uses the definition of retention in care that is used in the RSR. According to the RSR, retention in HIV medical care was defined as people with HIV who had at least one OAHS visit by September 1 of the measurement year, with a second visit at least 90 days after.
Q. Are there plans to add other HRSA-identified performance measures to the dashboard (such as annual syphilis testing, gonorrhea/chlamydia testing, annual TB screening/testing)?
A. Those data are not available in the RSR Report; therefore, we do not have plans to add those measurements to the dashboard.
Q. I have questions about how the data in the dashboard compare to our internal data for my jurisdiction.
A. Please contact our Program Support email box with a detailed description of your data questions. We will respond by email, set up a meeting to review the data, and escalate the issue to the data branch at HAB, if necessary.
Benchmarking Questions
Q. Why are the observed viral suppression and retention in care values shown on the Benchmarking Performance by Jurisdiction screen different from those shown on other screens?
A. The observed viral suppression and retention in care data presented in the Benchmarking Performance by Jurisdiction screen is based only on RWHAP-funded outpatient ambulatory health services (OAHS) providers. All other screens with outcome data, such as Impact of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, may include data for clients receiving OAHS from providers who use RWHAP-related funding (e.g., program income, pharmaceutical rebates) to deliver these services.
Q. Will the benchmarking results affect my funding?
A. The funding formula for parts A and B is outlined in the legislation.
Q. Is there a way to download the benchmarking results and to display the badge?
A. Badges are for use in the dashboard; the user can screen capture them but they are otherwise not currently being disseminated. At this time, downloading the benchmarking data is disabled but we will assess the feasibility of enabling download options in the future.
Limited Access Dashboard Questions
Q. How can RWHAP recipients and project officers access the RWHAP Limited Access Dashboard?
A. RWHAP recipients and HAB staff can use their existing credentials to access the Electronic Handbooks (EHB). The RWHAP Compass dashboard is available on the Dashboards tab.
Q. I’m having trouble accessing the limited access dashboard.
A. Please contact the Program Administrator of your grant to request EHB access. If you continue to have issues, please contact [email protected] for additional support.
