The Complete Count of Data Sets can be Verified

This criterion examines whether the complete count of data sets can be verified. If entire treatment cases are missing in the documentation, this leads to their absence from consideration in the quality indicator. In this case, a distortion of the outcomes through selective documentation of certain cases cannot be excluded.

This criterion evaluates not explicitly the actual complete count of data sets, but only the ability to examine the complete count. The question as to whether the count of data sets is actually complete is part of the data validation during the application of the indicator and not a characteristic of the quality indicator itself.

There is a distinction between the completeness and the complete count of the data sets. Completeness means that all data fields necessary for an observation unit are captured. Complete count means that for all observation units of the base population or a representative sample a data set is captured.

Definition
A procedure is available, which allows an examination as to whether the count of collected data sets is complete.

Core Statement
The following statement is assessed: “The complete count of the data sets can be verified.”

Information Base for the Assessment
For the assessment of the core statement, it must be stated which methods were utilized to examine whether all treatment cases in the population of the quality indicator were actually documented, and, included in the calculation. If a representative sample is used, it must be possible to verify clearly that the treatment cases of the sample are captured. Also, for the assessment of the complete count of data sets, an adjustment must be possible between the desired value (actual number of treatment cases according to the definition of the quality indicator) and the actual value (actual number of documentations for these treatment cases).

Assessment Process
After all evaluators have acknowledged and understood the information base, they assess the core statement.

A detailed process description can be found in Appendix 2.

Assessment Stages
Applies
Does not apply
Abstention