About the Data
Where is this data from and how was it collected?
The resources below provide more information about the data presented on FOCUS on Healthcare. Data dictionaries provide the definitions used to create the charts on the website, and include information about things like the calculations, sources of the data, analytical assumptions, exclusions, and limitations. Survey methodology reports provide survey background, sampling design, recruitment and survey questions.
Primary Healthcare
Data Dictionary
Each of the charts on this website is built using data that comes from clearly defined measures. The HQCA has summarized these measure definitions in a data dictionary. It includes more information about things like the measure calculations, sources of the data, analytical assumptions, exclusions, and limitations.
Survey Methodology
Between April 2020 and March 2023 the HQCA surveyed patients about their experiences with their most recent visit with their family doctor.
Emergency Department
Data Dictionary
Each of the charts on this website is built using data that comes from clearly defined measures. The HQCA has summarized these measure definitions in a data dictionary. It includes more information about things like the measure calculations, sources of the data, analytical assumptions, exclusions, and limitations.
Survey Methodology
In April 2016 the HQCA began surveying patients who visited the 16 busiest emergency departments in Alberta. We have published the methodological details of the HQCA’s Emergency Department Patient Experience of Care (EDPEC) survey.
Hospital Care
Data Dictionary
Each of the charts on this website is built using data that comes from clearly defined measures. The HQCA has summarized these measure definitions in a data dictionary. It includes more information about things like the measure calculations, sources of the data, analytical assumptions, exclusions, and limitations.
Survey Methodology
AHS conducts a telephone survey with a random sample of patients from 93 hospitals across Alberta. The responses collected in the survey are analyzed by AHS, and the results are shared with the HQCA. The HQCA then posts updated results on this website every quarter (three months).
More information on the survey
AHS uses what’s called an H-CAHPS survey to assess hospital inpatient experience across Alberta. H-CAHPS stands for Hospital-Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, and was developed in the United States by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
These survey questions are based on focus group consultation with patients to learn about what was most important to them when they were in hospital. It was endorsed for widespread use in the U.S. in 2005 – following extensive field-testing, some of which occurred in Alberta.
In 2011, AHS expanded use of the H-CAHPS survey. A few additional questions of interest to AHS were added to the standard H-CAHPS survey; so the survey being used in Alberta contains 56 questions across a variety of topics including:
- Communication with nurses
- Communication with doctors
- Cleanliness of hospital
- Pain management
- Overall hospital rating
- Discharge information
This survey is conducted over the phone by AHS interviewers based in Calgary, and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Approximately 10 per cent of patients discharged from each of these 93 hospitals are surveyed, meaning that each year more than 20,000 of these surveys are completed.
Home Care
Data Dictionary
Each of the charts on this website is built using data that comes from clearly defined measures. The HQCA has summarized these measure definitions in a data dictionary. It includes more information about things like the measure calculations, sources of the data, analytical assumptions, exclusions, and limitations.
Survey Methodology
From October 2018 to March 2019 the HQCA surveyed clients about their experiences with home care.
Designated Supported Living
Data Dictionary
Each of the charts on this website is built using data that comes from clearly defined measures. The HQCA has summarized these measure definitions in a data dictionary. It includes more information about things like the measure calculations, sources of the data, analytical assumptions, exclusions, and limitations.
Survey Methodology
From July 2022 to January 2023, the HQCA surveyed residents and family members of residents about their experiences with designated supportive living (now known as Continuing Care Home Type B).
Long Term Care
Data Dictionary
Each of the charts on this website is built using data that comes from clearly defined measures. The HQCA has summarized these measure definitions in a data dictionary. It includes more information about things like the measure calculations, sources of the data, analytical assumptions, exclusions, and limitations.
Survey Methodology
From July 2022 to January 2023, the HQCA surveyed family members of residents about their experiences with long term care (now known as Continuing Care Home Type A).