title: Improving the quality of data in your database: lessons from a cardiovascular center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Creating and having a database should not be an end goal but rather a source of valid data and a means for generating information by which to assess process, performance, and outcome quality. The Cardiovascular Center at Shands Jacksonville (Florida) made measurable improvements in the quality of data in national registries and internally available software tools for collection of patient care data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The process of data flow was mapped from source to report submission to identify input timing and process gaps, data sources, and responsible individuals. Cycles of change in data collection and entry were developed and the improvements were tracked.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data accuracy was improved by involving all caregivers in datasheet completion and assisting them with data-field definitions. Using hospital electronic databases decreased the need for manual retrospective review of medical records for datasheet completion. The number of fields with missing values decreased by 83.6%, and the number of missing values decreased from 31.2% to 1.9%. Data accuracy rose dramatically by realtime data entry at point of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Key components to ensuring data quality for process and outcome improvement are (1) education of the caregiver team, (2) process supervision by a database manager, (3) commitment and explicit support from leadership,(4) increased and improved use of electronic data sources, and (5) data entry at point of care.
authors.affiliation: System Outcomes and Effectiveness, University of Florida, Jacksonville, USA. connie.haan@jax.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Constance K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Haan
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005431:Florida; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012308:Risk Management; D017749:Total Quality Management