Accuracy of Data in Computer-based Patient Records

Abstract

Data in computer-based patient records (CPRs) have many uses beyond their primary role in patient care, including research and health-system management. Although the accuracy of CPR data directly affects these applications, there has been only sporadic interest in, and no previous review of, data accuracy in CPRs. This paper reviews the published studies of data accuracy in CPRs. These studies report highly variable levels of accuracy. This variability stems from differences in study design, in types of data studied, and in the CPRs themselves. These differences confound interpretation of this literature. We conclude that our knowledge of data accuracy in CPRs is not commensurate with its importance and further studies are needed. We propose methodological guidelines for studying accuracy that address shortcomings of the current literature. As CPR data are used increasingly for research, methods used in research databases to continuously monitor and improve accuracy should be applied to CPRs.

Avaliação da qualidade das variáveis sócio-econômicas e demográficas dos óbitos de crianças menores de um ano registrados no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade do Brasil (1996/2001)

“…O quarto critério, a incompletitude, assumindo a definição de diversos autores 23,24,25 , considera-se como a proporção de informação ignorada, ou seja, os campos em branco e os códigos atribuídos à informação ignorada especificada no manual de preenchimento da DO. Foi criado um escore a partir da incompletitude com os seguintes graus de avaliação: excelente (menor de 5%), bom (5% a 10%), regular (10% a 20%), ruim (20% a 50%) e muito ruim (50% ou mais).…”

Concept and implementation of a single source information system in nuclear medicine for myocardial scintigraphy (SPECT-CT data)

“…Paper-based entries are error-prone, for instance due to legibility problems. In contrast to that electronic forms have a significantly reduced error rate [15][16][17] which was demonstrated for instance in a laboratory setting [15]. Data quality is improved, if electronic forms are provided with checks for correctness and completeness [3,[18][19][20].…”

Economic evaluation of hospital management information systems in Tamil Nadu, India

“…[13][14][15][16] The effectiveness of the systems measured in this study is based on the characteristics of data reliability, user satisfaction levels and the time saved for predetermined comparable activities in both systems. The cost calculation included capital costs like server, hardware, software and recurrent costs including the electricity, salary of staff, stationary, etc.…”