Shahrbanoo Pahlevanynejad - Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Navid Danaei - Department of Pediatric, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Mehdi Kahouei - Department of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Majid Mirmohammadkhani - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Elham Saffarieh - Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Science, Semnan, Iran.
Reza Safdari - Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Information systems help to collect information about patients. The minimum data set (MDS) provides the basis for decision-making. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the comprehensive national MDS for prematurity information management system (IMSPIMDS) in Iran Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study with three steps, including systematic review, focus group discussion, and the Delphi technique. A systematic review was conducted in relevant databases. Then, a focus group discussion was used to classify the extracted data elements by contributing specialists in various fields. Finally, MDSs were chosen through the decision Delphi technique in two rounds. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS ۲۶. Results: In total, ۲۳۳ data elements were included in the Delphi survey. The data elements based on the experts’ opinions, were classified into two main categories, including maternal and newborn. The final data elements for maternal and newborn categories were ۱۰۷ and ۱۲۶. Conclusions: The existence of a national MDS as the core of the premature newborn surveillance program is essential and leads to appropriate decisions. We developed and internally validated an MDS for prematurity studies. This study generated new knowledge to enable healthcare system professionals to collect relevant and meaningful data. The use of this standardized approach can help benchmark clinical practice and target improvements worldwide.

Delphi, Prematurity, Maternal, Minimum Data set, Neonatal and newborn, Surveillance