Validation of a coding algorithm for intra-abdominal surgeries and adhesion-related complications in an electronic medical records database.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Epidemiological data on adhesion-related complications following intra-abdominal surgery are limited. We tested the accuracy of recording of these surgeries and complications within The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a primary care database within the UK.

Methods

Individuals within THIN from 1995 to 2011 with an incident intra-abdominal surgery and subsequent bowel obstruction (SBO) or adhesiolysis were identified using diagnostic codes. To compute positive predictive values (PPVs), requests were sent to treating physicians of patients with these diagnostic codes to confirm the surgery, SBO, or adhesiolysis code. Completeness of recording was estimated by comparing observed surgical rates within THIN to expected rates derived from the Hospital Episode Statistics

SUBMITTER: Scott FI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5150265 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature