Quality of hospital morbidity data - discussion

This paper discusses in detail issues dealing with the technical aspects of designing and conducting surveys. It is intended for an audience of survey methodologists.

The three papers presented in this session offer excellent insight into the issues concerning the quality of hospital morbidity data. Richards, Brown, and Homan sampled hospital records to evaluate administrative data in Canada; Hargreaves sampled persons in hospitals to evaluate administrative data in Australia; and McLemoreand Pokras describe the quality assurance practices of an ongoing sample survey of hospital records in the United States. Each paper is discussed, along with the issues and challenges for the future.