Data Error Detection
x Perform automatic data checks
x Perform data quality audits
x Review data collection protocols and procedures
x Check inter- and intra-observer variability (if appropriate)
x Visually inspect completed forms (online or otherwise)
x Routinely check completeness of data entry
Action for Data Quality Improvement
x Provide data quality reports to users
x Correct inaccurate data and fill in incomplete data detected
x Control user correction of data errors
x Give feedback of data quality results and recommendations
x Resolve identified causes of data errors
x Implement identified system changes x Communicate with users
Using IT to Improve Data Quality
Information technology has tremendous potential as a tool for improving health care data quality.
x EMR (Electronic Medical Record) improve legibility and accessibility of health care data and information.
x Medication Administrations Systems are designed to prevent medication error.
A recent GAO report (2007) found that many of the data in existing EMR system were recorded in an unstructured format – “in narrative form or other text, rather than in data fields designated to contain specific pieces of information.” i
References:
Wager, Karen A., Frances Wickham Lee, and John P. Glaser. (2009). Health Care Information Systems: A Practical Approach for Health Care Management. Second Edition. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.