Evaluation of a regional trauma registry.
BACKGROUND
For decades, trauma registries have been the primary source of data for resource allocation, quality improvement efforts and hypothesis-generating research in trauma care. Surprisingly, the quality and completion of data in these registries has rarely been reported. In preparation for a research program on population-based epidemiology of severe trauma, we evaluated the Calgary component of the Alberta Trauma Registry (ATR).


METHODS
We identified the ATR records of all adult trauma patients (aged > or = 16 yr) admitted to hospitals in the Calgary Health Region (CRH) between April 1, 2001 and March 31, 2002 with severe injuries (Injury Severity Score > or = 12). From these registry data, we randomly selected 100 patient records, and we compared 14 fields, sampling parameters from prehospital care to discharge, with information from the hospital chart.


RESULTS
Only 9 of 100 records were found to be incomplete. Of these, none had more than 1 field incomplete. Of the approximately 1400 data fields assessed, only 9 were missing data, resulting in a 99% (1391/1400) completion rate. Of 100 records, 22 were found to have inaccurate data; of these, 18 had 1 incorrect field, 2 had 2 incorrect fields and 2 had 3 incorrect fields. Overall, the ATR is 98% accurate.


CONCLUSIONS
The Calgary component of the ATR can be considered accurate and complete. Some of its inaccuracy is attributable to a change in the way time to operating room was recorded. Data from all other fields collected in a standard manner can continue to be used with confidence for administrative and research purposes.
Datta
Indraneel
I
Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. idatta@ucalgary.ca
Findlay
Christi
C
Kortbeek
John B
JB
Hameed
S Morad
SM
D002170:Canada; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D011786:Quality Control; D012042:Registries; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*