Table 1.

Data quality control methods for QI projects

Project phase	Challenge question
Project design	Are the aims of the project clearly stated?
	Is a valid definition and measurement system available for the required data?
	Is there a clear focus on quality, rather than quantity, of data?
Data collection	Is a standardized data collection form created?
	Are data items clearly defined and written instructions provided for collecting each data item?
	Are staff adequately trained to collect data?
	Are QA reviews completed?
	Is an electronic database used for data management?
	Are sufficient database controls in place to identify errors?
	Is there a back-up routine for the electronic database?
Data management	Have data been evaluated using basic statistics?
	Has there been a comprehensive review for missing data and methods to minimize missing data?
Data analysis	Are missing data reported and appropriate methods used to account for it?
	Have potential outliers been identified and evaluated?
	Have appropriate methods been used to provide summary measures of the project results?
	Have measures of precision been presented with the study results?
	Have appropriate methods been used to evaluate the impact of factors that may confound the results?