Linkability measures to assess the data characteristics for record linkage.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Accurate record linkage (RL) enables consolidation and de-duplication of data from disparate datasets, resulting in more comprehensive and complete patient data. However, conducting RL with low quality or unfit data can waste institutional resources on poor linkage results. We aim to evaluate data linkability to enhance the effectiveness of record linkage.

Materials and methods

We describe a systematic approach using data fitness ("linkability") measures, defined as metrics that characterize the availability, discriminatory power, and distribution of potential variables for RL. We used the isolation forest algorithm to detect abnormal linkability values from 188 sites in Indiana and Colorado, and manually reviewed the data to understand the cause of anomalies.

SUBMITTER: Ong TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11879926 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature