This dimension covers, with respect to the statistics, their proximity between an estimate and the unknown true value.
In Quarter 4, revised data is accepted from CCG’s for quarters 1, 2, and 3. The reports for Quarters 1,2 and 3 are therefore published on a provisional basis, with the final report being produced in Quarter 4.
Validation takes place at the point of entry. Further details on the validations carried out can be found in section B of the appendices.
DQ Table 1 of the Excel data tables contains data quality indicators for the latest quarter showing the percentage of women where the smoking status is not known, as well as the percentage difference compared to the average of the previous four quarters for:
- Maternities
- Women known to be smokers at time of delivery
- Women known to be non-smokers at time of delivery
In order to highlight any areas of concern and to encourage improvements, a CCG must provide a reason when they breach one of the validation checks. Where a data quality issue was identified, the reason provided is included in the table.
The smoking status is self-reported by the woman and therefore may be susceptible to “satisficing” where the woman is tempted to give an answer which is more socially acceptable, i.e. to say she is a non-smoker. Also, the definition does not distinguish between heavy and light smokers or how recently the woman smoked.
DQ Table 2 of the Excel data tables is provided annually in the quarter 4 report and shows the percentage of women whose smoking status was not known at time of delivery, for each quarter of the financial year, by Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). CCGs with 5% or higher of maternities with an unknown smoking status have been highlighted. Data quality comments (as provided by CCG) for previous quarters can be found in DQ table 1 of the relevant quarterly report.