Morbidity data quality initiatives in Ireland

In 2004, the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry and National Perinatal Reporting System (HIPE & NPRS) Unit of the Economic and Social Research Institute in Ireland requested a review of its coder training programs and data quality initiatives, primarily because of the decision to implement a major change in the morbidity classification in January 2005. In August 2004, the authors conducted a formative evaluation using qualitative methods to assess the Unit's programs. A number of opportunities for building on the solid framework the Unit has implemented were identified. The preceding paper focused on the Unit's coder training programs (Bramley & Reid 2005). In this paper, the Unit's data quality initiatives are examined.