Determining minimum data set for implementation of a ureteral stent registry system

Background & Aims: The primary treatment for ureteric obstruction in modern urological practice is the placement of a ureteral stent. Likewise, a standard tool is needed for collecting the data to ensure the ureteral stent is removed. The purpose of this study is to identify the minimum data set (MDS) required for the ureteral stent registry at Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Materials & Methods: This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in two phases. The first phase extracted relevant data elements based on previous studies. In the second phase, a Delphi questionnaire was compiled and given to 20 urologists and experts in medical informatics and health information management using the data elements obtained from the first phase. The MDS of the system was determined during two Delphi steps. This study used descriptive statistics and SPSS software for data analysis. Results: A total of 78 data items were identified through analyzing various articles. After evaluating the results of the two stages of the Delphi questionnaire, the MDS for the ureteral stent registry was finalized with 63 data elements in 7 categories, including demographic information, social history, medical history, clinical information, diagnostic measures, treatment measures, and patient discharge. Conclusion: This study aimed to propose a MDS for the ureteral stent registry system. This data can greatly assist in effectively organizing information, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and facilitating high-quality clinical research. Furthermore, it enables the evaluation of treatment outcomes, monitoring of progress, and comparison of care standards.