Weaknesses in national data validation identified

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Issues with data from four health districts not flowing through to the national data collection system led to inaccuracy in nationally reported Emergency Department datasets, Te Whatu Ora says.

Twelve National Performance Reporting Metrics have been republished by Te Whatu Ora after an error was identified in the measure – Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments. This led to all metrics being removed to check their accuracy on March 9.

A review into the issue is being led by improvement and innovation national director Dale Bramley, who is due to report his findings to chief executive Margie Apa on April 14.

A statement from Te Whatu Ora says that for two measures – Emergency Departments Admissions and Emergency Department Presentations – a checking process identified underlying issues with some data flow from Southern, West Coast, Waikato, and Counties Manukau.

The problem has been rectified and they now have confidence that the data is correct.

You’ve read this article for free, but good journalism takes time and resource to produce. Please consider supporting eHealthNews by becoming a member of HiNZ, for just $17 a month.

“The checking process has been a valuable exercise, highlighting that there have been weaknesses in data validation over recent months as the system has been through fundamental change, including role transfers to Te Whatu Ora from the Ministry of Health,” the statement says.

“While there have been some gaps in the flow of data feeding into the national data set over the reporting period this has not impacted on the day-to-day care and services provided by hospitals,” it says.

Te Whatu Ora says these performance metrics are used for historical reporting and organisational performance management and are not relied on in isolation.

“Operational decisions around patient care and people management are taken from real-time data as often these decisions have to be made with far more urgency than the monthly performance metrics,” the statement says.

“We regret that these issues have occurred and, building on the assurance work we have done, are now focused on resetting our data workflows as a single organisation.”

It adds that the findings of the review will be critical to ensuring ongoing confidence in published data.

To comment on or discuss this news story, go to the eHealthNews category on the HiNZ eHealth Forum

Read more Analytics news

Return to eHealthNews.nz home page