Table 7 Rating criteria for the practical characteristics of the evaluation framework for injury surveillance systems

Data accessibility

The method by which potential data users access data from the injury surveillance system should be reported.

I

If data is accessible for data users in unit record format from an internet-based interface and/or data warehouse (or similar), it rates as very high.

II

If data is accessible for data users in unit record format from a CD-ROM (or other data storage device), it rates as high.

III

If data is accessible for data users in an aggregate format only, it rates as low.

IV

If data is not accessible by data users, it rates as very low.

Usefulness

Usefulness will refer to the ability to contribute to the identification of potential key areas for preventive action in terms of the ability to: (a) identify new and/or emerging injury mechanisms; (b) monitor injury trends over time; and (c) describe key characteristics of the injured population (i.e. WHO's core minimum data set for injury surveillance).

I

If the data collection contains 76 to 100% of variables in the core minimum and optional data sets for injury surveillance, it rates as very high.

II

If the data collection contains 51 to 75% of variables in the core minimum and optional data sets for injury surveillance, it rates as high.

III

If the data collection contains 26 to 50% of variables in the core minimum and optional data sets for injury surveillance, it rates as low.

IV

If the data collection contains less than 25% of variables in the core minimum and optional data sets for injury surveillance, it rates as very low.

Data analysis

The routine data analyses conducted using data from the injury surveillance system by the agency responsible for the surveillance system should be described.

I

If data analysis is conducted daily to monthly or on request and results of this analysis are available for all data users, it rates as very high.

II

If data analysis is conducted annually to biennially and results of this analysis are available for all data users, it rates as high.

III

If data analysis is conducted greater than biennially and results of this analysis are available for all data users, it rates as low.

IV

If data analysis is not conducted, it rates as very low.

Guidance material to aid data interpretation

The availability of guidance material on the interpretation of data from the injury surveillance system should be described.

I

If there is an up-to-date data dictionary, manual or data user's guide and routine contact with data users regarding data analysis issues to aid data interpretation, it rates as very high.

II

If there is an up-to-date data dictionary, manual or data user's guide to aid data interpretation, it rates as high.

III

If there is a data dictionary, manual or data user's guide to aid data interpretation, but this documentation in not kept up-to-date, it rates as low.

IV

If there is no documentation or guidance material to aid data interpretation, it rates as very low.