The Completeness of the Data can be Verified

With this criterion it is evaluated whether the completeness of the data can be examined. Incomplete information for individual treatment cases can lead to a non-consideration of these findings in the assessment of the quality indicator. In this case, a distortion bias of the results by selective documentation of certain cases cannot be excluded.

This criterion does not evaluate the actual completeness of the data, but only the ability to examine the completeness. The question as to whether data are actually complete is part of the data validation during the application of an indicator and not a characteristic of the quality indicator itself.

There is a distinction between the completeness and the complete count of the data sets. Completeness means that all data fields necessary for an observation unit are captured. Complete count means that for all observation units of the base population or a representative sample a data set is captured.

Definition
A procedure is available which allows an examination as to whether all necessary data elements of a collected data set have been supplied.

Core Statement
The following statement is assessed: “The completeness of the data sets can be examined.”

Information Base for the Assessment
The assessment of the core statement requires a detailed description of the specification of all data on which the quality indicator is based. If it includes obligatory fields in the data grid and data transfer format, a complete data set can be presumed from the very beginning. Also, plausibility rules that are made explicit in the specification of the data set for the quality indicator, may lead toward a further completeness of the data. If the completeness is not enforced through the specification, the adjustment with a desired value for the input frequency (reference) must be made possible.

Assessment Process
After all evaluators have acknowledged and understood the information base, they assess the core statement.

A detailed process description can be found in Appendix 2.

Assessment Stages
Applies
Does not apply
Abstention