Validation of the Victorian Perinatal Morbidity Statistics form: new items, pre-coded text and free text

This study assessed the quality of information on the form used by the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit. Information relating to four new and one modified data items, and to pre-coded and free text regions relating to maternal morbidity, was compared with that in the medical record. The new data items were documented correctly on 95.5% of forms, as were 67% of pre-coded conditions. Between 53% and 75% of free text items were correctly recorded. The results highlight the need for information and education sessions for midwives and other staff in order to collect and maintain high quality data.