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A Harmonized Data Quality Assessment Terminology and Framework for the Secondary Use of Electronic Health Record Data

Authors:

Michael G. Kahn ,

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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Tiffany J. Callahan,

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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Juliana Barnard,

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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Alan E. Bauck,

Kaiser Permanente Northwest
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Jeff Brown,

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
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Bruce N. Davidson,

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
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Hossein Estiri,

University of Washington, Institute of Translational Health Sciences
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Carsten Goerg,

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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Erin Holve,

AcademyHealth
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Steven G. Johnson,

University of Minnesota
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Siaw-Teng Liaw,

UNSW School of Public Health & Community Medicine
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Marianne Hamilton-Lopez,

National Academy of Sciences
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Daniella Meeker,

University of Southern California
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Toan C. Ong,

University of Colorado Denver
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Patrick Ryan,

Janssen Research and Development
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Ning Shang,

Columbia University
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Nicole G. Weiskopf,

Oregon Health & Science University
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Chunhua Weng,

Columbia University
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Meredith N. Zozus,

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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Lisa Schilling

University of Colorado, Denver
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Abstract

Objective: Harmonized data quality (DQ) assessment terms, methods, and reporting practices can establish a common understanding of the strengths and limitations of electronic health record (EHR) data for operational analytics, quality improvement, and research. Existing published DQ terms were harmonized to a comprehensive unified terminology with definitions and examples and organized into a conceptual framework to support a common approach to defining whether EHR data is ‘fit’ for specific uses.

Materials and Methods: DQ publications, informatics and analytics experts, managers of established DQ programs, and operational manuals from several mature EHR-based research networks were reviewed to identify potential DQ terms and categories. Two face-to-face stakeholder meetings were used to vet an initial set of DQ terms and definitions that were grouped into an overall conceptual framework. Feedback received from data producers and users was used to construct a draft set of harmonized DQ terms and categories. Multiple rounds of iterative refinement resulted in a set of terms and organizing framework consisting of DQ categories, subcategories, terms, definitions, and examples. The harmonized terminology and logical framework’s inclusiveness was evaluated against ten published DQ terminologies.

Results: Existing DQ terms were harmonized and organized into a framework by defining three DQ categories: (1) Conformance (2) Completeness and (3) Plausibility and two DQ assessment contexts: (1) Verification and (2) Validation. Conformance and Plausibility categories were further divided into subcategories. Each category and subcategory was defined with respect to whether the data may be verified with organizational data, or validated against an accepted gold standard, depending on proposed context and uses. The coverage of the harmonized DQ terminology was validated by successfully aligning to multiple published DQ terminologies.

Discussion: Existing DQ concepts, community input, and expert review informed the development of a distinct set of terms, organized into categories and subcategories. The resulting DQ terms successfully encompassed a wide range of disparate DQ terminologies. Operational definitions were developed to provide guidance for implementing DQ assessment procedures. The resulting structure is an inclusive DQ framework for standardizing DQ assessment and reporting. While our analysis focused on the DQ issues often found in EHR data, the new terminology may be applicable to a wide range of electronic health data such as administrative, research, and patient-reported data.

Conclusion: A consistent, common DQ terminology, organized into a logical framework, is an initial step in enabling data owners and users, patients, and policy makers to evaluate and communicate data quality findings in a well-defined manner with a shared vocabulary. Future work will leverage the framework and terminology to develop reusable data quality assessment and reporting methods.

How to Cite: Kahn MG, Callahan TJ, Barnard J, Bauck AE, Brown J, Davidson BN, et al.. A Harmonized Data Quality Assessment Terminology and Framework for the Secondary Use of Electronic Health Record Data. eGEMs (Generating Evidence & Methods to improve patient outcomes). 2016;4(1):18. DOI: http://doi.org/10.13063/2327-9214.1244
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Published on 11 Sep 2016.
Peer Reviewed

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