Internal validation of self-reported case numbers in hospital quality reports: preparing secondary data for health services research

This study employed a comprehensive approach to dataset internal validation that encompassed: (1) hospital association level data, (2) hospital site level data and (3) medical department level data, (4) report data spanning six years, and (5) logical plausibility checks. To ensure data completeness, we selected the most plausible values without eliminating incomplete or implausible data. For future practice, we recommend a validation process when using GHQR as a data source for MCR-related research. Additionally, an adapted plausibility control could help to improve the quality of MCR documentation.