Data Extraction from Medical Records
Paper-based documentation is often the standard in
LMICs; this can make collecting outcome data from
chart review much harder. For example, extensive time
was needed by the data collector to locate, check out,
and sift through the paper-based medical charts in S.
I.’s study. The data collector was required to travel to
another section of the hospital during specific times to
request charts; because not all charts could be
immediately located, this necessitated multiple repeat
trips. Moreover, key outcome variable data were
commonly missing. The World Health Organization
recommends sputum smear testing be conducted after
2 months of TB treatment; however, S. I. found that
providers failed to order the test and either made no
mention in the chart of the reason for not ordering the
recommended follow-up test or simply noted “no
cough.” As a result, an addendum to the study protocol
was needed to collect final treatment outcome data.
This required additional time (4e6 months) and a
second chart review.