Quality evaluation of direct network reporting in Zhangye, Gansu province, 2008

Objective To assess the quality of direct network reporting of infectious diseases in Zhangye and analyze the influential factors, providing the basis for improving overall report quality. Methods Report cards of 2008 were analyzed in terms of the report timeliness, verification timeliness, report accuracy, integrity and overall quality using Excel 2003. Results For the 12 649 report cards in Zhangye city, 2008, the rates of report timeliness, accuracy and integrity were 93.25%, 98.02% and 25.99%. Differences in the reporting rate were shown among medical institutions of different levels (city, county and township, P0.01). The average verification time was 38 min with a timeliness rate of 99.51%. Only 0.47% of the reports in the 6 counties had the best valued quality, while 29.86% had the worst. A total of 854 report cards were not submitted in time, of which tuberculosis cases accounted for 67.56%; and 590 duplicates were found, of which tuberculosis cases accounted for 72.37%. Conclusion Tuberculosis is the most significant influencing factor of report quality. For better overall quality of network report, it is essential to improve the timeliness in reporting tuberculosis cases and to reduce duplicates and delayed reports. Meanwhile, the report integrity should be strengthened. Medical institutions should intensify report management during public holidays to gradually improve the direct reporting system.