Accuracy of Electronic Health Record–Derived Data for the Identification of Incident ADHD. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daley, Matthew F.; Newton, Douglas A.; DeBar, Lynn; Newcomer, Sophia R.; Pieper, Lisa; Boscarino, Joseph A.; Toh, Sengwee; Pawloski, Pamala; Nordin, James D.; Nakasato, Cynthia; Herrinton, Lisa J.; Bussing, Regina
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 21:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 416
• Page End: 425
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: ADHD -- electronic health records -- child -- accuracy; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054713520616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: To assess the accuracy of electronic health record (EHR)–derived diagnoses in identifying children with incident (i.e., newly diagnosed) ADHD.Method: In 10 large health care organizations, electronic diagnoses data were used to identify all potential cases of incident ADHD among 3- through 9-year-old children. A random sample of records was manually reviewed to determine whether a diagnosis of ADHD was documented in clinician notes.Results: From electronic diagnoses data, a total of 7, 362 children with incident ADHD were identified. Upon manual review of 500 records, the diagnosis of incident ADHD was confirmed in clinician notes for 71.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [56.5, 86.4]) of records for 3- through 5-year-old children and 73.6% (95% CI = [65.6, 81.6]) of records for 6- through 9-year-old children.Conclusion: Studies predicated on the identification of incident ADHD cases will need to carefully consider study designs that minimize the likelihood of case misclassification.