Strategies for Improving the Data Quality in National Hospital Discharge Data System: a Delphi Study

INTRODUCTION: National hospital discharge data system can play a critical role in community health assessment, disease surveillance, strategic planning, policymaking, service quality control, and research. Moreover, the quality of hospital discharge data affects the usefulness of the data and is one of the prerequisites for effective utilization of the data. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the necessary actions for improving the data quality in the national hospital discharge data system and present a model for Iran based on the experiences of England, Canada, and New Zealand. METHODS: In doing so, the measures performed in these countries were investigated. The related data were organized in six categories of standards and procedures, training and coordination with the users, assurance from the capability of the system’s software, data modification, data quality control, and documentation and reporting the data quality. According to the gathered data, the primary model was designed. Then, the model was assessed using a two-round Delphi technique by 33 and 31 experts, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, a model was presented in order to improve the data quality of Iran’s national hospital discharge data system.