The CHA Learning Health System (CHRIS)

A national data-driven research initiative designed to improve care for children and adolescents by using routinely collected hospital data to better understand service use, identify inequities and support more responsive health system planning. Uses de-identified data held by Children's Healthcare Australasia (CHA).

The challenge

Health service use by children and young people in Australia has changed substantially over the past decade, with increasing demand, rising complexity and growing pressure across multiple areas of care. Despite the availability of routinely collected EMR data, Australia lacks a coordinated national infrastructure to support robust monitoring, forecasting and improvement.

Our approach

Forms the Data to Knowledge phase of a broader Learning Health System approach. Uses retrospective, population-based analysis of de-identified hospital data held by CHA. Examines inpatient, ED and outpatient service use for children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years across participating Australian hospitals.

Key goals

• Describe patterns of hospital service use across conditions, service types and population groups.

• Forecast future demand for child and adolescent health services.

• Identify markers of high service need, including frequent presentations, readmissions and prolonged length of stay.

• Examine disparities in service use and health outcomes for priority populations.

• Support evidence-informed planning, service improvement and more equitable care.

Evaluation & impact

Uses descriptive statistics, regression modelling, time series analysis and forecasting methods, plus machine learning approaches to help predict high service need and future demand.