[Why it is necessary to improve data quality and data validity by implementing a timely and integrated controlling system for BQS-compliant quality assurance].

Since 2007, all German hospitals are obliged to publish 27 quality indicators in their biannual "structured quality reports" as defined by the BQS (= Federal Office for Quality Assurance). Thus, hospitals are required to establish a timely controlling system for process and outcome quality that goes beyond the mere control of documentation rates. The University Medical Center Ulm has implemented an IT solution that allows for the continuous and timely evaluation of the quality assurance reports of the different modules. By developing an internal dialogue with colleagues of all specialties it was possible to optimise adherence to documentation and process standards, and to react promptly to deviations in outcome quality. This improved the quality of documentation and therefore the validity of quality assurance data. It even led to the identification of a programme error in the export file of one of the external modules. By cross-checking quality assurance data and accounting data according to Sect. 21 KHEntG (= regulation for DRG case invoicing), it was possible to detect down-coding in several cases and therefore increase revenue by correcting the accounting record. In current times it should be mandatory for hospitals to establish an internal IT supported medical/quantitative control system of BQS data records for external quality assurance. Quality and quantity of documentation forms the basis for the so-called internal dialogue (standardised review process of substandard quality assurance results), and they allow to identify the potentials for improvement in the quality of care for our patients.