Abstract
Background/Aims The HMORN Virtual Data Warehouse (VDW) has an expanding set of quality assurance data checks developed by its data content work groups. These checks improve the reliability and consistency of the data across sites. When the Center for Effectiveness and Safety Research (CESR) Data Coordinating Center sought to provide additional data checks, it defined a standard methodology for additional validation. The structure and methodology provides a basis to apply data checks consistently across the data content areas.
Methods The CESR Data Coordinating Center created a work group of data warehouse experts and analysts that began by compiling an inventory of existing quality assurance data checks. Using the inventory as a reference, the work group selected data content areas with few existing data checks to identify checks that could be documented and programmed more consistently. The work group developed a structure for defining, documenting, and programming new data checks. Finally, the work group tested and refined its documentation and programming structure for new data checks by creating new checks and learning how they fit into the existing structure.
Results The work group created a consistent process under which new data checks could be defined, documented, and programmed. This process included a structure to:
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Improve the consistency of the types of programmatic data checks.
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Document the data checks and processes for the VDW CESR Data Coordinating Center quality assurance programs.
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Create a structure in which new data checks could be added that would not conflict with existing data checks.
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Reuse programming logic across data content areas.
Conclusions This standard methodology enables more consistent implementation and documentation of data checks for the VDW. The methodology also provides information about the outcomes of the data checks which have been processed. Finally, the methodology should allow for quicker development of future data checks.
