Data challenges encountered while answering clinical questions
| Project questions and data challenges encountered | Challenge 1: Are the data field(s) needed to answer the clinical question available in administrative databases? | Challenge 2: If the data field needed to answer the clinical question is available, is the information complete and accurate? | Challenge 3: Can the no of visits for a particular medical condition be accurately measured using administrative data? | Challenge 4: Can laboratory tests across the province be identified, harmonised, and analysed? |
| Adult Diabetes | ||||
| What proportion of patients seen in the outpatient Edmonton zone have a comorbidity? | ✘ | ✘ | N/A | ✘ |
| What is the breakdown of diabetes by diagnosis among the patients visiting the outpatient clinics in the Edmonton zone? | ✔ | ✘ | N/A | N/A |
| What are the processes of care for lab and biometric measurement at each of the diabetes clinics? | ✘ | ✘ | N/A | ✘ |
| How well are patients’ diabetes being managed including lipids, blood sugar control, blood pressure control, and renal protection? | ✔ | ✘ | N/A | ✘ |
| Paediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis | ||||
| What medications, fluids, and electrolytes are administered during admission for diabetic ketoacidosis? | ✘ | ✘ | N/A | N/A |
| Is care for diabetic ketoacidosis concordant with national diabetes guidelines? | ✘ | ✘ | N/A | ✘ |
| Adrenal Insufficiency | ||||
| What is the 5-year period prevalence of adrenal insufficiency in Alberta, Canada? | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | N/A |
| What is the rate of emergency room and outpatient healthcare utilisation among patients with adrenal insufficiency? | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | N/A |
| Beta-Lactam Allergy and Surgical Prophylaxis | ||||
| Are patients with a beta-lactam allergy receiving the correct antimicrobial prophylaxis in-hospital for their surgery according to guidelines? | ✘ | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Are patients receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis within the guideline recommended time frame? | ✘ | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Are patients receiving postoperative prophylaxis in accordance with local guidelines? | ✘ | N/A | N/A | N/A |
✔ The challenge was encountered in the project.
✘ The challenge was not encountered in the project.
N/A, not applicable.