Improving injury surveillance data quality: a study based on hospitals contributing to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset. (3rd March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheppard, Dianne M.; Hayman, Jane; Allen, Trevor J.; Berecki‐Gisolf, Janneke
• Is Part Of: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. Volume 46:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 401
• Page End: 406
• Publication Date: 2022-03-03
• Subjects: injury prevention -- injury surveillance -- data quality -- protocol -- emergency department; Public health -- Australia -- Periodicals; Public health -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Australia -- Periodicals; Medical care -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; 362.10993
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13200
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1326-0200

Abstract

Abstract: Objective : In this paper, we describe the design and baseline data of a study aimed at improving injury surveillance data quality of hospitals contributing to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD). Methods : The sequential study phases include a baseline analysis of data quality, direct engagement and communication with each of the emergency department (ED) hospital sites, collection of survey and interview data and ongoing monitoring. Results : In 2019/20, there were 371, 683 injury‐related ED presentations recorded in the VEMD. Percentage unspecified, the indicator of (poor) data quality, was lowest for 'body region' (2.7%) and 'injury type' (7.4%), and highest for 'activity when injured' (29.4%). In the latter, contributing hospitals ranged from 3.0–99.9% unspecified. The 'description of event' variable had a mean word count of 10; 16/38 hospitals had a narrative word count of <5. Conclusions : Baseline hospital injury surveillance data vary vastly in data quality, leaving much room for improvement and justifying intervention as described. Implications for public health : Hospital engagement and feedback described in this study is expected to have a marked effect on data quality from 2021 onwards. This will ensure that Victorian injury surveillance data can fulfil their purpose to accurately inform injury prevention policy and practice.