Publication catalogue list

Creating nationally-consistent health information: engaging with the national health information committees

Data linkage series no. 8

This document provides guidance on engaging with the national processes responsible for health information and data standards, to ensure that data collected are consistent and therefore accurate and useful for policy, planning and program management.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 12 March 2010; ISSN 1833-1238; ISBN-13 978-1-74249-000-11; AIHW cat. no. CSI 8; 16pp.; FREE

Indigenous identification in hospital separations data: quality report

Health services series no. 35

This report presents results of an audit of the quality of Indigenous identification in hospital separations data and makes recommendations regarding the use of Indigenous status information. The report is a useful resource for health information managers and researchers.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 19 February 2010; ISSN 1036-613X; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 999 7; AIHW cat. no. HSE 85; 80pp.; $27.00

Review and evaluation of Australian information about primary health care: a focus on general practice

Primary health care services are generally the first port of call when Australians need health care. Services provided through general practice are the core of Australia's primary health-care system, and it is vital that accurate, reliable and timely information about these services is available to support policy and practice decisions. Although several national and regional data collections contain information relevant to general practice, few sources provide comprehensive information that can be used to assess the value, quality and outcomes of the care provided. This leads to significant gaps in our understanding of the performance and effectiveness of the Australian primary health-care system. This report presents the results of a critical evaluation of Australian data collections relating to general practice services. It describes the usefulness of these data collections for meeting priority information needs, and recommends strategies to address data gaps and limitations. The report also outlines methods currently being used to collect general practice data electronically, and establishes options for further investigation.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 10 December 2008; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 855 6; AIHW cat. no. HWI 103; 168pp.; $40.00

National community services data dictionary, version 5

The National community services data dictionary (the NCSDD) is a national resource which community services authorities use to ensure the consistency and comparability of all data collected under the scope of the National Community Services Information Agreement (NCSIA). The data dictionary contains definitions and value domains that are endorsed as national standards for use by those collecting community services data in Australia. Version 5 has been downloaded from METeOR which is an internet registry for development, registration and dissemination of metadata based on the latest version of the international standard ISO/IEC 11179 Information technology-Metadata registries (MDR) in 2003. The Dictionary is available online at <meteor.aihw.gov.au>. The data dictionary is an important resource for people involved in designing and building data collections, conducting research and evaluation activities.

Authored by National Community Services Data Committee.

Published 21 July 2008; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 800 6; AIHW cat. no. HWI 102; INTERNET ONLY

National health (version 14) and national community services (version 5) data dictionaries CD-ROM set

This CD-ROM set contains both the National Health Data Dictionary (version 14) and the National Community Services Data Dictionary (version 5).

Authored by AIHW.

Published 21 July 2008; AIHW cat. no. HWI 101/102; OUT OF PRINT

National health data dictionary version 14

National health data dictionary no. 14

The National health data dictionary (the NHDD) is a national resource which health jurisdictions use to ensure the consistency and comparability of all data collected under the National Health Information Agreement. It is increasingly being used as a resource to standardise data collections that are not mandatory for national collection. It is vital that the health care community continues to standardise the meaning and representation of data used for both clinical purposes and statistical analysis. The use of the NHDD is an important step in this process. With the comparability of data collected based on definitions in the NHDD, information collected by jurisdictions throughout Australia can provide meaningful input to community discussion and public policy debate on health issues in Australia. The aim of such discussion is to improve the quality and safety of health care for all Australians. Version 14 has been downloaded from METeOR which is an internet registry for development, registration and dissemination of metadata based on the latest version of the international standard ISO/IEC 11179 Information technology-Metadata registries (MDR) in 2003. The Dictionary is available online at <meteor.aihw.gov.au>.

Authored by Health Data Standards Committee.

Published 21 July 2008; ISSN 1329-4555; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 799 3; AIHW cat. no. HWI 101; INTERNET ONLY

National palliative care performance indicators: results of the 2007 performance indicator data collection

This report presents the findings of the 2007 national collection of performance indicator data from Australia's palliative care sector, and comparisons with the results of previous collections in 2005 and 2006. Some characteristics of palliative care agencies are also described. The information was collected to calculate four nationally agreed performance indicators that were developed by representatives of the states and territories and the Australian Government through the Palliative Care Intergovernmental Forum. The indicators are based on the goals and objectives of the National Palliative Care Strategy, and provide information on the extent to which the strategy has been implemented in areas such as strategic planning, use of standards, collection of feedback and formation of partnerships.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 10 June 2008; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 777 1; AIHW cat. no. HWI 99; 44pp.; $24.00

Report on the pilot test of the community-based palliative care client data collection

This report outlines the need for a data set for community-based palliative care services that is relevant to national policy development and accountability, and provides details of a pilot test of the data set which aimed to evaluate the data items and their permissible values. This data set lays the foundation for the future agreement of a national minimum data set, which would see the collection of ongoing data about community-based palliative care clients for national collection and reporting. The data items within the draft client data set specification include items that relate to: the patient, the episode of palliative care, the episode of grief and bereavement counselling, and each service contact within these episodes.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 29 October 2007; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 714 6; AIHW cat. no. HWI 97; 106pp.; $27.00

A guide to data development

For more than a decade, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has been undertaking data development, and assisting other organisations with related activities. In doing so, the AIHW has developed a body of expertise in data development. Much of this experience has been distilled into 'A guide to data development'. The guide covers the basics of data development and the steps to follow when developing data. It outlines sound data development practices that incorporate the necessary steps to produce high-quality data that meet the needs of all users of the data and attract the necessary level of agreement on content and authority behind the data specifications. The document promotes the role of metadata in describing data and the use of data standards to improve consistency in data recording where data consistency and comparability is required.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 27 February 2007; ISBN-13 978-1-74024-655-2; AIHW cat. no. HWI 94; 83pp.; OUT OF PRINT

Dementia in Australia: national data analysis and development

Drawing together a wide range of data sources, the 'Dementia in Australia: national data analysis and development' report presents a profile of the Australian population with dementia, as well as discussing the characteristics and experiences of those caring for them. The report investigates current and projected prevalence and incidence of dementia, use of health and care services by those with dementia, and presents a new methodology for calculating expenditure on services associated with dementia. The evidence base about dementia in Australia is weakened by the variable quality and consistency of available data. The report also describes the sorts of data items recommended to improve the collection of dementia data.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 31 January 2007; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 639 2; AIHW cat. no. AGE 53; 335pp.; OUT OF PRINT