title: Using a Data Quality Framework to Clean Data Extracted from the Electronic Health Record: A Case Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examine the following: (1) the appropriateness of using a data quality (DQ) framework developed for relational databases as a data-cleaning tool for a data set extracted from two EPIC databases, and (2) the differences in statistical parameter estimates on a data set cleaned with the DQ framework and data set not cleaned with the DQ framework.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The use of data contained within electronic health records (EHRs) has the potential to open doors for a new wave of innovative research. Without adequate preparation of such large data sets for analysis, the results might be erroneous, which might affect clinical decision-making or the results of Comparative Effectives Research studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two emergency department (ED) data sets extracted from EPIC databases (adult ED and children ED) were used as examples for examining the five concepts of DQ based on a DQ assessment framework designed for EHR databases. The first data set contained 70,061 visits; and the second data set contained 2,815,550 visits. SPSS Syntax examples as well as step-by-step instructions of how to apply the five key DQ concepts these EHR database extracts are provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPSS Syntax to address each of the DQ concepts proposed by Kahn et al. (2012)1 was developed. The data set cleaned using Kahn's framework yielded more accurate results than the data set cleaned without this framework. Future plans involve creating functions in R language for cleaning data extracted from the EHR as well as an R package that combines DQ checks with missing data analysis functions.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: Oliwier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dziadkowiec
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Department of Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozkaynak
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: Blaine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reeder
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Welton
keywords: Applied Statistics; Data Quality; Electronic Health Records; Relational Databases