Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
Part 1
Health Information Systems: An Overview for Policymakers
Chapter One: Building An Integrated Information System
Data Sources for an Integrated Information System
What Kind of Data Should an Integrated Information System Include?
When Is Expert Help Required?
Chapter Two: Data Sources for an Integrated Information System
Enrollment Data
Administrative Data
Clinical Data
Survey Data
Other Data Sources
Strategies for Improving the Utility of Integrated Information Systems
For More Detail
Chapter Three: What Consumers of Research Need to Know About Analysis
Formulating the Question
Designing the Study
Identifying the Data Source
Constructing the Analysis File
Selecting an Appropriate Analytic Technique
Interpreting the Results
For More Detail
Chapter Four: Thinking Strategically About Information Systems
Part 2
Technical Issues in Designing and Improving Health Information Systems
Chapter Five: Description of Data Sources and Related Issues
Introduction
Data Sources: Existing Systems
Problems and Potential Solutions to Improve the Utility of Health Data Systems

Chapter Six: General Analysis Issues
Formulating the Question
Designing the Study
Identifying the Data Source
Constructing an Analysis File
A Sampler of Analytic Techniques
Interpreting the Results
Chapter Seven: Developing and Using a Clinical Information System
Introduction
How Will a Clinical Information System Work?
How Do Clinical Data Differ from Administrative Data?
Why Is Severity AdjustmentImportant?
What Are the Characteristics of an Ideal Clinical Information System?
Using Clinical Data to Adjust for Differences in Severity
What Are the Potential Uses of a Clinical Information System?
Deciding What Conditions to Target
What Target Conditions Should Be Included?
Detailed Examples for Two Target Conditions
Additional Target Conditions for Consideration
Can a Clinical Information System Answer All Clinical Questions?
Chapter Eight: An Overview of Methods for Conducting Surveys
Introduction
Designing and Conducting a Survey
Sampling the Study Population
Modes of Survey Administration
Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal, and Repeated Cross-Sectional Designs
Content of the Survey
Implementing the Survey
Who Should Administer the Survey?
Chapter Nine: An Overview of Risk Adjustment
Introduction
What Is Risk Adjustment?
What Factors Should Be Considered for Risk Adjustment?
Why Is Risk Adjustment Important?
How Is Risk Adjustment Used?
How Is a Risk-Adjustment System Evaluated?
What Can Be Done to Augment Prospective Risk Adjustment?
What Work Is Being Done to Improve the Ability to Risk-Adjust?
What Is Severity Adjustment?
Why Is Severity Adjustment Important?
How Is Severity Adjustment Used?
How to Choose a Severity-Adjustment System
Bibliography
Glossary
Index
About the Authors