Summary
Objective: Data for clinical documentation and medical research are usually managed in separate
systems. We developed, implemented and assessed a documentation system for myocardial
scintigraphy (SPECT/CT-data) in order to integrate clinical and research documentation.
This paper presents concept, implementation and evaluation of this single source system
including methods to improve data quality by plausibility checks.
Methods: We analyzed the documentation process for myocardial scintigraphy, especially for
collecting medical history, symptoms and medication as well as stress and rest injection
protocols. Corresponding electronic forms were implemented in our hospital information
system (HIS) including plausibility checks to support correctness and completeness
of data entry. Research data can be extracted from routine data by dedicated HIS reports.
Results: A single source system based on HIS-electronic documentation merges clinical and
scientific documentation and thus avoids multiple documentation. Within nine months
495 patients were documented with our system by 8 physicians and 6 radiographers (466
medical history protocols, 466 stress and 414 rest injection protocols). Documentation
consists of 295 attributes, three quarters are conditional items. Data quality improved
substantially compared to previous paper-based documentation.
Conclusion: A single source system to collect routine and research data for myocardial scintigraphy
is feasible in a real-world setting and can generate high-quality data through online
plausibility checks.
Keywords
Single source information system - hospital information system - nuclear medicine
- myocardial-scintigraphy (SPECT/CT-data)