The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have today published revised National Standard Demographic Dataset and Guidance for use in health and social care settings in Ireland.

In 2012, one key deficiency identified by both HIQA and a number of stakeholders was the absence of a national standard demographic dataset across the Irish health and social care sector. At that time there was no standardised or agreed guidance on the collection of demographic data.

The National Standard Demographic Dataset and Guidance, first published by HIQA in 2013, presents health and social care service providers with a standard core set of data elements to support the consistent, complete, and accurate recording of information for each service user.

Dr Kevin O’Carroll, Acting-Director of Health Information with HIQA, said, “Before the introduction of the National Standard Demographic Dataset, a variety of approaches had been used to collect and format data elements which resulted in many permutations and combinations for each data element”.

“The National Standard Demographic Dataset and Guidance sets out how health and social care providers should record demographic data about individuals accessing their services. The guidance provides support and assistance to the health and social care sector to meet the requirements of the National Standard Demographic Dataset, and ensure consistency in the recording of the data” Dr O’Carroll said.

“The importance of these standards and guidance is to ensure consistency in the recording of the data. Safe and reliable health and social care depends on access to, and use of, information that is accurate, valid, reliable, timely, relevant, legible and complete. It also limits the way data can be collected, interpreted and exchanged between different groups, reducing unnecessary duplication and improving the safety and quality of care provided. ” Dr O’Carroll said.

Based on comments received in relation to the introduction of National Standard Demographic Dataset and Guidance for use in health and social care settings in Ireland (2013), the publication of the Health Identifiers Act (2014) and the introduction of postcodes nationally HIQA undertook revision of the original standard published in 2013 to take into account these important changes.

A wide range of stakeholders will continue to benefit from having these standardised demographic dataset in place, including people who use our health and social services, healthcare practitioners, healthcare organisations and service planners.

Ends.

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, HIQA
01 814 7480 / 086 2447 623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie

• The demographic dataset was developed by conducting a review of international standards in this area and by also assessing national practice through examining demographic data being collected by a number of national agencies both within the health arena and outside of it. A consultation was held and feedback from key stakeholders was incorporated into the final revised standards.
• What the standard demographic dataset means for people who use our health and social care services:
  • safer, better care for service users due to available, accurate and complete demographic data for each service user
  • standardisation of the core demographic data enables more accurate analysis of current and future demands and needs of service users
  • works towards removing the need for repeated provision of demographic data on each visit to the health or social care service provider
  • assists in reducing administration and costs as demographic data need only be collected once.
• What the standard demographic dataset means for general practitioners:
  • enables the recording of more accurate and consistent data which improves the reliability of information to make informed decisions
  • assists in service user identification, therefore preventing duplication or misidentification errors, and less duplication of testing and prescribing
  • allows information to be exchanged and transferred between information systems, therefore reducing administrative tasks
  • cost-saving and time-saving benefits.
• What the standard demographic dataset means for hospitals:
  • ensures more complete and accurate information on which to base potentially life-critical clinical decisions
  • allows information to be exchanged and transferred between information systems
  • accountability and improved communications
  • reduction in significant levels of duplication of administrative effort, less wastage of time and resources, and hence greater efficiencies.