Falling Short During the Opioid Crisis? Delaware’s Overdose Dashboard

What Was Performed? A special report that reviewed Delaware’s drug overdose data on Delaware Health and Social Services’ My Healthy Community Data Dashboard, specifically sections related to drug overdoses. Why This Engagement? In accordance with 29 Del. C. §2909, the State Auditor shall file written reports covering the Auditor’s postaudits with the state agency concerned, the Governor, the General Assembly, the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; and, if the Auditor deems necessary, the Auditor may present special reports to the General Assembly for consideration and action. The audit reports shall set forth: (1) Whether all expenditures have been for the purpose authorized in the appropriations therefor; (2) Whether all receipts have been accounted for and paid into the State Treasury as required by law; (3) All illegal and unbusinesslike practices; (4) Recommendations for greater simplicity, accuracy, efficiency and economy; and (5) Such data, information and recommendations as the Auditor of Accounts may deem advisable and necessary. This special report evaluates potential changes to expand the DHSS data dashboard to improve data quality, increase community awareness of key issues regarding the opioid crisis, and better inform response efforts. This report also explores best practices from neighboring states and compares efforts to provide thorough information that can be used to better address the opioid crisis. What Was Found? • Data Timeliness Issues: The drug overdose statistics provided on the My Healthy Community Dashboard are not up-to-date with current available information. • Missing Data Comprehensiveness: The dashboard lacks demographic breakdowns of data as well as key statistics for areas such as treatment, recovery, and local data. • Lack of Functionality: The dashboard is lacking in several areas for ideal functionality, creating user issues and barriers to access of key data. • Recommendations: This report contains 4 recommendations for and analysis of Delaware’s data dashboard for drug overdose data. The new special report, “Falling Short During the Opioid Crisis? Delaware’s Overdose Dashboard” can be found here. For any questions regarding the attached report, please contact State Auditor Kathleen K. McGuiness at Kathleen.Mcguiness@delaware.gov.