Indicators based on German administrative data deviate widely from indicators based on clinical data. Therefore, hospitals should be cautious to use indicators based on administrative data for quality assurance. However, some might be useful for case findings and quality improvement. The precision of the evaluated indicators needs further development to detect AEs by the valid use of administrative data.
Objective To identify and classify internationally published and applied patient safety indicators (PSIs) and their caracterization as a subgroup of quality indicators. Prioritizing PSIs considering the need for action on patient safety of the German health care and their validation by applying scientific quality criteria. Methods A systematic review of publications indexed from January 2000 to December 2009 was conducted using Medline and websites of institutions. PSIs were characterized as a subgroup of quality indicators by defined criteria and prioritized using a criteria-based procedure.Results A total of 2,973 PSIs were identified and classified in a PSI-database. A Medline search resulted in 1,568 PSIs and 1,405 PSIs were identified by analyzing indicator sets of institutions. Finally, 60 PSIs were the result of prioritizing and validating the search outcomes. Discussion The characterization of PSIs and the criteriabased instrument were suitable to identify appropriate PSIs, so that they can be validated later on using a Delphimethod and a pilot and can be eventually implemented into practice.
Possible causes for the results might be divergent motivations for data collection or restrictions in data collection. It remains unclear which method properly reflects the true status. Selected indicators (e. g. obstetric trauma), however, are suitable to be substituted by hospital administrative data.
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