Collecting Data to Facilitate Change.

Abstract

Data collection and analysis are central to all quality improvement initiatives. However, there is often a lack of understanding about the different ways data can be collected and why one mode of data collection should be selected over another. In this article, a framework is provided to help quality improvement teams identify and define the data to be collected. This is followed by a discussion of the different modes of data collection. Examples are provided to help illustrate each mode of data collection. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of each mode are described.