[Transparency: can the effect of governmental surveillance be quantified?]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Health Policy

Background:

• The Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ) conducts surveillance to improve public health.
• Measuring the impact of such surveillance on health outcomes is crucial for accountability and improvement.
• Existing data sources may offer a feasible approach to assess surveillance effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if existing data can be utilized to quantify the impact of IGZ surveillance on public health outcomes.
• To explore the feasibility of using retrospective data and time series analysis to evaluate surveillance effects.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, descriptive study design was employed.
• Data from the IGZ, external sources, and literature were analyzed for suicide, pressure ulcers, and medication errors.
• A time series design was used to assess trends before and after IGZ surveillance.

Main Results:

• Reliable quantification of pressure ulcer prevalence and suicide incidence was possible using IGZ data.
• A decline in both pressure ulcers and suicide rates was observed following IGZ surveillance.
• Causality could not be established due to the inability to control for external factors influencing these health problems.

Conclusions:

• IGZ data can define the extent of clearly defined health problems and observe trends using time series analysis.
• Establishing a causal link between IGZ surveillance and observed health trends necessitates experimental designs.
• Prospective randomized studies or stepped wedge designs are recommended for definitive causal inference.