About the project
Routinely collected data from inpatient admissions is a valuable tool for audit and research. In order for the data to be useful and trusted by clinicians, it has to accurate and timely.
Aims
To ensure the information that is collected about a patient’s diagnosis and their operation(s) is correct and can be utilised with confidence.
How did we achieve this?
The MSN established local coders’ groups in each of the four centres and invited consultants to meet with their coding team to gain a better understanding of the importance of accurate and timely discharge letters. A national coders’ group was also established including members of the ISD coding team to ensure consistency of neurosurgical coding between the four centres.
Outcome
By bringing the coders together with consultants and at national meetings we have ensured that the coding of both diagnosis (ICD 10) and operation (OPCS 4) is fit for purpose and can be used in a number of our workstreams e.g. named consultant outcomes.
In 2014 we published an audit of SMR01 neurosurgery admissions to Public Health Scotland (formerly ISD).
Recent validation of routinely collected data over the course of 2016/17 has continued to demonstrate a high level of accuracy.