Quality in hospital administrative databases

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Freitas A (Author) FMUP; Gaspar, J (Author) Other; Rocha, N (Author) Other; Marreiros, G (Author) Other; da Costa Pereira, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Applied Mathematics and Information Sciences

Vol. 8

Pages: 1-6

ISSN: 1935-0090

Publisher: Natural Sciences Publishing

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-6SM

DOI: 10.12785/amis/081l01

Abstract (EN): The clinical content of administrative databases includes, among others, patient demographic characteristics, and codes for diagnoses and procedures. The data in these databases is standardized, clearly defined, readily available, less expensive than collected by other means, and normally covers hospitalizations in entire geographic areas. Although with some limitations, this data is often used to evaluate the quality of healthcare. Under these circumstances, the quality of the data, for instance, errors, or it completeness, is of central importance and should never be ignored. Both the minimization of data quality problems and a deep knowledge about this data (e.g., how to select a patient group) are important for users in order to trust and to correctly interpret results. In this paper we present, discuss and give some recommendations for some problems found in these administrative databases. We also present a simple tool that can be used to screen the quality of data through the use of domain specific data quality indicators. These indicators can significantly contribute to better data, to give steps towards a continuous increase of data quality and, certainly, to better informed decision-making. © 2014 NSP.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific