Utility and Limitations of Claims Data
Authors: Jesse Green
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1994)

Letters15 June 1994Utility and Limitations of Claims DataJohn A. Baron, MD and Jane Barrett, MSJohn A. Baron, MDDartmouth Medical School; Hanover, NH 03755Search for more papers by this author and Jane Barrett, MSDartmouth Medical School; Hanover, NH 03755Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-120-12-199406150-00020 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Jollis and colleagues [1] found a low sensitivity (but a high specificity) of hospital discharge diagnosis coding for the identification of cardiovascular prognostic factors. The results of this large study were well analyzed and are consistent with previous findings regarding the limitation of hospital discharge diagnosis data.However, the authors are not justified in making broad statements about “the claims.” Reliance on a single set of discharge diagnoses is no more optimal than reliance on one procedure note. Multiple claims data streams, preferably with data from several years, should yield better results.The hospital discharge data they ...References1. Jollis JG, Ancukiewicz M, DeLong ER, Pryor DB, Muhlbaier LH, Mark DB. Discordance of databases designed for claims payment versus clinical information systems: Implications for outcomes research. Ann Intern Med. 1993; 119:844-50. Google Scholar2. Dans PE. Looking for answers in all the wrong places. Ann Intern Med. 1993; 119:855-7. Google Scholar3. Fisher ES, Whaley FS, Drushat WM, Malenka DJ, Fleming C, Baron JA, et al. The accuracy of Medicare's hospital claims data: progress has been made, but problems remain. Am J Public Health. 1992; 82: 243-8. Google Scholar4. Ray WA, Griffin MR, Fought RL, Adams ML. Identification of fractures from computerized Medicare files. J Clin Epidemiol. 1992; 45: 703-14. Google Scholar5. McMahon LF, Smits HL. Can Medicare prospective payment survive the ICD-9-CM disease classification system? Ann Intern Med. 1986; 104:562-6. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: John A. Baron, MD; Jane Barrett, MSAffiliations: Dartmouth Medical School; Hanover, NH 03755 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byHealth Care Utilization and Costs After Initiating Budesonide/Formoterol Combination or Fluticasone/Salmeterol Combination Among COPD Patients New to ICS/LABA TreatmentHealth Care Utilization and Costs After Initiating Budesonide/Formoterol Combination or Fluticasone/Salmeterol Combination Among COPD Patients New to ICS/LABA TreatmentAssessment of Outpatient and Inpatient Antibiotic Treatment Patterns and Health Care Costs of Patients with Complicated Urinary Tract InfectionsA review of medical records and discharge summary data found moderate to high predictive values of discharge diagnoses of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and postpartum 15 June 1994Volume 120, Issue 12Page: 1049-1051KeywordsAngioplastyCoronary angioplastyCoronary arteriesEpidemiologyMedicareOutpatient clinicsRiversSpecificityStable coronary artery disease ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 June 1994 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1994 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...