[A new model of comprehensive data linkage--evaluation of its application in femoral neck fracture].

Aim of the project was a comprehensive assessment of short- and middle-term outcome of femoral neck fracture by linkage and analysis of available data from routine care. For this purpose, a generic model of data linkage was developed, agreed with the data security officer, and practically applied. Included were all patients of the AOK Westphalia-Lippe, who were treated in a general or trauma surgery hospital in 1995/1999 for a femoral neck fracture (ICD-9: 820). For these patients, the linkage was based on the following sources: the data regarding the initial hospital stay were provided by the office of quality assurance of the chamber of physicians of Westphalia-Lippe; the administrative data were provided by the AOKWestphalia-Lippe; and the data evaluating the nursing needs were obtained from the Medical Services of the Health Insurance of Westphalia-Lippe (MDK). This paper presents the model of data linkage and describes its practical implementation; it also presents medical data demonstrating that femoral neck fractures are associated with high mortality and increase of nursing needs in the course of disease. The benefit of the new model is manifold and can be easily extended to other clinical questions.