Determining the Required Minimum Data Set and Data Elements to Create a Web-based Electronic Record for Glaucoma Patients

Glaucoma, with an increasing pressure inside the eye, is one of the causes of blindness worldwide. The only glaucoma treatment is regular eye examination and control of intraocular pressure (IOP). The centralized information obtained from these examinations is an essential prerequisite for providing optimal healthcare which is possible by creating electronic records. Minimum Data Set (MDS) is a standard tool for getting access to accurate data, which is among the basic needs for the design of electronic records.
This is descriptive-analytical study. The population of this study consisted of glaucoma patients’ medical records at Farabi Eye Hospital, reference books, and glaucoma specialists. The data collection tool was a questionnaire -- containing patient's records, and demographic and clinical data -- which was distributed between 22 available glaucoma specialists. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by an expert team and its reliability was determined by test-retest method. Data analysis was performed by calculating the frequency percentage and Delphi test.
After reviewing the rate of experts’ agreement with the components of the survey, all of the cases with over 75% approval rate were considered as minimum data set for glaucoma. Minimum data set was divided into three general categories: patient's records, demographic data, and clinical data.
Determination of minimum data set for glaucoma will be an effective step to integrate and improve the management of patients’ records. Moreover, it will be feasible to store and retrieve such records.