Evaluation of a regional trauma registry.

BACKGROUND: For decades, trauma registries have been the primary source of data for resource allocation, quality improvement efforts and hypothesis-generating research in trauma care. Surprisingly, the quality and completion of data in these registries has rarely been reported. In preparation for a research program on population-based epidemiology of severe trauma, we evaluated the Calgary component of the Alberta Trauma Registry (ATR).
METHODS: We identified the ATR records of all adult trauma patients (aged > or = 16 yr) admitted to hospitals in the Calgary Health Region (CRH) between April 1, 2001 and March 31, 2002 with severe injuries (Injury Severity Score > or = 12). From these registry data, we randomly selected 100 patient records, and we compared 14 fields, sampling parameters from prehospital care to discharge, with information from the hospital chart.
RESULTS: Only 9 of 100 records were found to be incomplete. Of these, none had more than 1 field incomplete. Of the approximately 1400 data fields assessed, only 9 were missing data, resulting in a 99% (1391/1400) completion rate. Of 100 records, 22 were found to have inaccurate data; of these, 18 had 1 incorrect field, 2 had 2 incorrect fields and 2 had 3 incorrect fields. Overall, the ATR is 98% accurate.
CONCLUSIONS: The Calgary component of the ATR can be considered accurate and complete. Some of its inaccuracy is attributable to a change in the way time to operating room was recorded. Data from all other fields collected in a standard manner can continue to be used with confidence for administrative and research purposes.