Guide to using the abdominal aortic aneurysm minimum dataset dictionary
Published 21 September 2021
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2021
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The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) minimum dataset dictionary contains a list of the information required for the operation of the NHS AAA screening programme and for reporting on screening data.
Public Health England (PHE) uses this dataset to specify what fields the screening software database must contain as a minimum.
Researchers can use the minimum dataset dictionary when developing proposals to identify the:
- data fields they require
- permissions they would need to access the data
The dictionary is broken down into different tables according to each part of the screening pathway or operational work. These are explained in more detail on the ‘Introduction’ tab of the dictionary. For each table there is a column with:
- unique field ID
- field name
- a description of what the field contains
- what values can be entered or selected
- how the field is completed (automatically or manually)
- if the field has to be completed
- if the field contains patient identifiable information
- the availability of the field in the reporting software
- comments
Patient identifiable information is available to the screening providers. It is also available to the software supplier in order to manage any problems with the software. Please read patient confidentiality in NHS population screening programmes and AAA screening: how we use personal information to find out more.
Some fields contain pseudonymised or ‘minimised’ information that is available to Public Health England for monitoring and reporting on the programme.
Other fields available to PHE are marked by a tick in the ‘available in reporting software’ column.