Sometimes data recorded in a disease registry does not reflect what actually happened. This can have a significant impact on the data analysis. It may be worthwhile to investigate the data when an unexpected discrepancy is identified.
Situation
Ascertainment Error
more patients had a finding or treatment than recorded in the registry
under-ascertainment
fewer patients had a finding or treatment than recorded in the registry
over-ascertainment
Factors that may influence the degree of ascertainment error:
(1) recall error (patient thinks something was done when it was not)
(2) error in data collected (by patient or by collector, accidental or intentional)
(3) bias
(4) experience of person collecting the data
(5) error in data handling (accidental or intentional)
(6) quality of data registry
(7) number of people involved in the patient's care and the quality of communication
(8) number of sites involved in the patient's care
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