SARS-CoV-2 genomic contextual data harmonization: recommendations from a mixed methods analysis of COVID-19 case report forms across Canada

Table 6 Examples of data type variations when collecting “fever” information via Canadian case report forms

Case Report Form	Question	Input	Data Type / Information
National^a	Fever (≥ 38 °C)	☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unknown ☐ Not asked/assessed	TRUE/FALSE for fevers greater than or equal to 38 Celsius, missing value options
BC	Fever	☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Asked but Unknown ☐ Declined to Answer ☐ Not Assessed	TRUE/FALSE or missing value options
BC	If yes, specify the highest temperature recorded:	____ °C	Free text; may be words or numbers
MB	Fever (> 38 °C)	☐	TRUE/FALSE only for fevers greater than 38 Celsius
NB	Fever/chills	☐	TRUE/FALSE for Fever and/or chills. Unless “Fever” is circled, data is unspecified as to whether a fever occurred
NWT	Fever	☐	TRUE/FALSE
NWT	Temperature if known:		Free text; may be words or numbers, Celsius or Fahrenheit not specified
ON	Fever (≥ 38 °C)	☐	TRUE/FALSE for fevers greater than or equal to 38 Celsius
QC	Fever (≥ 38 °C)	☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unknown	TRUE/FALSE for fevers greater than or equal to 38 Celsius, missing value option

^a The following provinces/territories were utilizing the Interim National Case Report Form at the time of analysis: AB, NL, NS, NU, PEI, SK, and YK
Demonstrates the varying data types and information that can be collected across case report forms, many of which are similar but not exact. Temperature recordings may have additional context (e.g., BC this would be the highest recording if multiple measurements were taken), be a specific number when known (BC and NWT), be taken in different temperature scales (NWT could be recorded in Fahrenheit or Celsius while all others are in Celsius), and for some the definition of “Fever” vary (National, ON, and QC would consider “38°C” a fever while MB would not)

ISSN: 2049-3258