Lucy C Maling1, Christian Eb Gray-Stephens2, Khalid Malik-Tabassum3, Oliver Jf Weiner4, Matthew R Marples5, Giles P Faria6, Rory G Middleton7. 1. Specialty Registrar, Trauma & Orthopaedics. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AN, United Kingdom. Electronic address: lucy.maling@nhs.net. 2. Core Surgical Trainee. Royal Cornwall Hospital, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LQ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: christian.graystephens@nhs.net. 3. Specialty Registrar, Trauma & Orthopaedics. Conquest Hospital, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Hastings, TN37 7RD, United Kingdom. Electronic address: khalid.malik-tabassum@nhs.net. 4. Medical Student. University of Exeter Medical School, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, United Kingdom. Electronic address: oliver.weiner@nhs.net. 5. Medical Student. University of Exeter Medical School, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, United Kingdom. Electronic address: matthew.marples@nhs.net. 6. Core Surgical Trainee. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Margate, Kent, CT9 4AN, United Kingdom. Electronic address: gilespaul.faria@nhs.net. 7. Associate Specialist, Trauma & Orthopaedics. Royal Cornwall Hospital, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Truro, TR1 3LQ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: rory.middleton@nhs.net.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The National Hip Fracture Database of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (NHFD) is the largest such database in the world. Data errors in within the NHFD lead to spurious evidence which ultimately informs Orthopaedic, Anaesthetic and Orthogeriatric clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multi-centre quality improvement study investigated, and sought to improve data inaccuracy within the NHFD. Hip arthroplasty episodes recorded between 2011-2020 were analysed for errors in operation, implant polarity and cementation. RESULTS: Inaccuracies were observed in 20.5% of 3972 data entries. Following the introduction of a hip fracture clinical data administrator in each centre, inaccuracies reduced four-fold (5.2% of 559 data entries). CONCLUSION: We advise caution when utilising NHFD data for research and audit purposes. In order to build a robust, accurate database for future research, we recommend the incorporation of specialist data administrators into the hip fracture multidisciplinary team. Crown
INTRODUCTION: The National Hip Fracture Database of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (NHFD) is the largest such database in the world. Data errors in within the NHFD lead to spurious evidence which ultimately informs Orthopaedic, Anaesthetic and Orthogeriatric clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multi-centre quality improvement study investigated, and sought to improve data inaccuracy within the NHFD. Hip arthroplasty episodes recorded between 2011-2020 were analysed for errors in operation, implant polarity and cementation. RESULTS: Inaccuracies were observed in 20.5% of 3972 data entries. Following the introduction of a hip fracture clinical data administrator in each centre, inaccuracies reduced four-fold (5.2% of 559 data entries). CONCLUSION: We advise caution when utilising NHFD data for research and audit purposes. In order to build a robust, accurate database for future research, we recommend the incorporation of specialist data administrators into the hip fracture multidisciplinary team. Crown