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Data Reform Project

The Data Reform project seeks to redevelop the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED), Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD), and Elective Surgery Information System (ESIS). While allowing for data to be submitted in separate streams, the collections will be integrated into a common structure with one patient ''record" across the three collections, and using common codesets wherever possible. The new collection will be called the Victorian Health Integrated Minimum Data Set (VHI MDS).

The Data Reform project is being run as part of the HICAR (Health Information Collection and Reporting) Project (previously called the HealthCollect and VHIRS Redevelopment Project). Presentations given to the HDSS Forum on 1 May 2009 are available below and provide background on both projects. HICAR is providing an environment for the processing and validation of submission files, and a data warehouse for the storage of VAED, VEMD, ESIS, AIMS and VINAH information.

Broadly, the aims of the data reform project are to:

Introduce a common conceptual framework
Remove derived items and use meaningful transactional data
Standardise or harmonise data elements across the three collections
Integrate the collections as much as possible.

Draft Section 2 Concepts & Derived Elements Definitions and Section 3 Data Definitions were released for comment in October 2009, following consultation with a reference group comprised of hospital representatives and software suppliers. Feedback received has been incorporated into the next versions of those documents.

It is anticipated that the VHI MDS specifications, detailed below, will be available for general consultation and comment in December 2010, with implementation of the collection scheduled for July 2012.

Concepts, Data Elements and Business Rules
Sections 2 Concepts and Derived Data Elements, 3a Data Definitions, 3b Derived Data Elements, and 4 Business Rules are almost complete. Section 9 Code Lists is now presented as a spreadsheet and is complete.

Validation
The format of Section 8 Validation has been changed. The document will contain information about the validation process, and the validations themselves will be presented in a spreadsheet detailing the edits applicable for each data element. An MS-Access database provides the logic for each validation. Work on the validations and documentation will be completed shortly.

Reports
There will one Section for Reports (previously Sections 6 & 7). The types of reports and processing methods have been completed. Content for reports has been drafted and will be finalised following consultation.

Transmission Specifications
Section 5 Transmission Specifications is being drafted and will be available for comment as a draft document shortly.

Note: These documents remain here for reference but are not current. Some information in these documents may have changed since release. Any scheduled dates mentioned may also now be incorrect.

Introduction to the Victorian Health Integrated Health Minimum Dataset (PDF File 54 KB)

Section 2: Concepts and Derived Element Definitions (PDF File 290 KB)

Section 3: Data Definitions (PDF File 2.2 MB)

Transition Elements (Excel File 118 KB)

Transition scenarios (Excel File 28 KB)
Provides examples of how to report 'transition' elements.

Reference files (Excel File 178KB)
Includes codesets for all data elements.

Mapping of all existing data elements to VIHMD (Excel File 109KB)
Maps how each element from existing VAED, VEMD and ESIS collections has been integrated into VHI MDS.

Copy of the letter forwarded to CEOs of health services dated 23 October 2009 (Word doc 145 KB)

The consultation process and feedback mechanisms (Word Doc 74KB)
(Included contact information and a feedback form)

1. HealthCollect and VHIRS re-development. (Michael Bouchaud, Manager, HealthCollect and VHIRS re-development, MHACS) (Pdf, 164kb)
2. Health Information Data Reform (Andrew Brown, Manager, Health Data Development, MHACS) (Pdf, 119kb)