The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66510

Derek A. Chapman, PhD¹, Susan J. Gonzalez, BS¹, and Ramona Lainhart, PhD². (1) Bureau of Health Informatics, Tennessee Department of Health, Cordell Hull Bldg., 6th Floor, 425 Fifth Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37247, (2) Director of Grants and Funded Projects, Tennessee Dept. of Health, 1011 Capitol Towers, 510 Gay St., Nashville, TN 37219, 615/253-3403, ramona.lainhart@state.tn.us

The Bureau of Health Informatics at the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is responsible for compiling, analyzing, and distributing information on health facilities, health care professionals, and on the health status of Tennesseans. Vital statistics data serves as the cornerstone of surveillance and policy and program planning efforts. Understanding the accuracy of reported medical information is important for epidemiologic studies based on vital records. The goal of the current study is to evaluate the accuracy and completeness of pregnancy history variables reported on the birth certificate.

Tennessee resident birth records from 1992 to 2000 were linked to 2001 birth records to identify the previous birth certificate for 30,789 multiparous Tennessee residents who had a singleton live birth in 2001. Prior pregnancy variables from the 2001 certificate were compared to corresponding data from the matched prior birth certificate. Error rates varied based on the variable being assessed. For example, only 28% of prior birthweights >4000g and only 35% of prior pre-term births were correctly identified in the 2001 medical history variables. Quality improvement activities should attempt to identify any points where data capture is vulnerable to breakdown. Researchers are encouraged to create their own pregnancy history variables where possible using data linkage methodology.

Learning Objectives:

Session participants will be able to:
• Assess the accuracy and completeness of pregnancy history variables on Tennessee electronic birth certificates.
• Describe the structure and construction of a longitudinally linked file of electronic birth certificates.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.