dhis2-devs team mailing list archive

["greg.rowles@xxxxxxxxx" <greg.rowles@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Everyone

We're in the process of developing a design spec for a (master) data-dictionary that caters for the many variations of datasets we have here in South Africa. I've been challenged on my claim that there are no 'data standards' around aggregated data elements or indicator definitions in our space. Jason suggested I put this forward to the DHIS2 community...

I cannot find anything useful. Everything is focused on standardization & interoperability at patient-level. HL7, LOINC, SNOWMED, ICD10 are all down a level on aggregated data. Does anyone have any articles or reference material on the issue? 

For over a decade now HISP-SA has been the proud custodian of SA's (unofficial) MFL + (official) NIDS - in the hands of Calle. Now that we are moving to DHIS2, with an expanded National Indicator Data Set, we also need to start managing a Master[Facility]List at OU5, a M[Ward]L at OU6, a M[Environmental-Health-Services]L at OU5, a M[School-Health-Services]L at OU5, a M[Reporting-Unit]L at OU6, a M[Ward-Based-Outreach-Team]List at OU7. 

There are standards and guidelines for implementing a MFL but we have 'extended circumstances' here in SA. We are looking at building a sophisticated solution using DHIS2 for each of the unique Hierarchy arrangements. We are also looking towards the Australian DD for hints on building an 'information services' type-of platform out of our hybrid MFL+DD. Unfortunately there are feelings that we will be replicating what is already available in the openHIE software suite or we may risk losing buy in.

Anyone have info on standards for aggregated data? I'm fully comfortable driving ahead with these plans but derailment seems a possibility without a 'standards oriented' defense. There are also strong feelings that openHIE is a superior offering to our conceptual design (even though DHIS2 would be the underlying platform and data would continue to flow through transactional instances of DHIS2).

Any ideas, comments or feedback?

Greg

----- Forwarded message -----
From: "Jason Pickering" <jason.p.pickering@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Greg Rowles" <greg.rowles@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Standards for Aggregated Data Definitions (Element and Indicators) in Health
Date: Wed, Apr 9, 2014 20:05

Hi Greg,
I think it is a very valid question and not something to be ashamed of at all. In terms of what WHO offers, you can check this out

http://www.who.int/gho/indicator_registry/en/



In addition, there are some internal HISP reccomendations (which I have heard of but never actually seen) in terms of how to create names of data elements and indicators. For instance, not using "Number of confirmed malaria cases" but rather "Confirmed malaria cases". 


I think in general though, there is a gap, and something which needs a lot more attention. HISP has been very focused on the technology, and less so on the semantics and M&E processes. I think Bob Joliffe and Ola though would have something to contribute here, so would encourage you to send this mail to the user/dev list for more feedback from the community. 


Cheers,
Jason




On Wed, Apr 9, 2014 at 7:01 PM, Greg Rowles <greg.rowles@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Jason
I'm a little embarrassed to copy in any other DHIS2 heavy-weights because I might embarrass myself with this question:


Do you know of any existing standards or guideliness on the development of aggregated data-element and indicator definitions? Everything I find points to patient-centric data definitions (ICD10, LOINC, SNOWMED). HL7 appears to be more about interoperability standards and not about aggregation terminology.



Aggregated data is required for reporting to WHO so I assume there are standardization guidelines or existing codified definitions somewhere? If not - there is a gap...?



Regards,
Greg

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