A hybrid approach to record linkage using a combination of deterministic and probabilistic methodology.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The disjointed healthcare system and the nonexistence of a universal patient identifier across systems necessitates accurate record linkage (RL). We aim to describe the implementation and evaluation of a hybrid record linkage method in a statewide surveillance system for congenital heart disease.

Materials and methods

Clear-text personally identifiable information on individuals in the Colorado Congenital Heart Disease surveillance system was obtained from 5 electronic health record and medical claims data sources. Two deterministic methods and 1 probabilistic RL method using first name, last name, social security number, date of birth, and house number were initially implemented independently and then sequentially in a hybrid approach to assess RL performance.

SUBMITTER: Ong TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7647290 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature