Accuracy and validity of using medical claims data to identify episodes of hospitalizations in patients with COPD

Abstract

RAMQ medical claims can be used as a reliable source to estimate LOS and NOH, particularly when time and resources are restricted. RAMQ, however, should be used with caution since slight underestimations may occur.

Algorithms can be used to identify fragility fracture cases in physician-claims databases

“…Population-based administrative databases have been successfully used for case-identification of medical conditions in the general population [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Using administrative databases is relatively inexpensive, minimizes usual biases associated with survey studies (recall bias, nonresponse, and subject attrition), and increases external validity compared with cohort studies [15,21].…”

“…Physician-billing claims databases (PCDs) are a valid source of information for outcome assessment [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Since fractures are typically acute and painful, they are easily recognized and promptly treated within the healthcare system [17] and consequently, should be identifiable from PCDs.…”

Utilization patterns of extended-release niacin in Canada: Analysis of an administrative claims database

“…As a consequence, the number of hospital admissions may have been overestimated while the length of stay may have been underestimated among patients hospitalized on a long-term basis and not frequently seen by their physicians. To address such concerns, the algorithm used for the estimation of hospitalizations was previously validated in another study of similar design using the RAMQ database (34).…”

Burden of illness of bone metastases in prostate cancer patients in Québec, Canada: A population-based analysis

“…Data in the RAMQ database have been validated previously and are accurate and reliable for identifying drug prescriptions and estimating inpatient length of stay and number of hospitalizations. [18][19][20][21][22] Demographic, prescription drug, and medical services data were extracted for a sample of randomly selected patients who had ≥1 claim with a PC diagnosis between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2001. To allow sufficient time before this ascertainment window to capture initial diagnoses and enough time afterwards to record outcomes, we set the study period from January 1, 1996 to August 31, 2010.…”