Implementation of the cards data standards in five dutch university medical centres

This study describes the first user experience at the cardiology departments of the University Medical Centres of Rotterdam, Leiden, Groningen, Utrecht and Nijmegen with the implementation of the CARDS data standards in their cardiology information systems. The main aim of this study was to identify problems in the use of the CARDS data standards. This study is focused on the data standards for PCI procedures. The CARDS PCI data definitions were analyzed and were compared with the data definitions in the local information systems. On average, the majority, about 75%, of all CARDS data fields (total number: 113 data fields) were already available in the local information systems. About 7% of the variables revealed definition differences. The implementation of the PCI CARDS data standards in our clinical systems revealed no significant problems