Abstract
Computerized medical databases are increasingly used for research. The influence of
different definitions of the accuracy of matching on the estimated accuracy of diagnosis
data was assessed in a database of visits to a public pediatric clinic. Differences
between definitions involved 1) unit of analysis, 2) number of diagnoses required
to match per visit, and/or 3) whether database contents are required to match the
medical record or medical record contents are required to be matched in the database.
Overall, 90% of diagnoses in the database (391/435) were accurately coded relative
to the medical record. Alternatively, 77% of diagnoses listed in the medical record
(391/506) were accurately coded in the database. When individual visits were used
as the unit of analysis, estimates of accuracy using six definitions ranged from 65%
to 92%. The most appropriate definition to use for estimating accuracy of diagnosis
data likely depends on the purpose of the study. Use of two or more such definitions
may enhance portrayal of the accuracy of diagnosis data.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 21,
2000
Received in revised form:
December 20,
2000
Received:
April 19,
2000
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
