Spine update. Administrative databases in spine research.

The use of administrative health care databases for the storage and retrieval of information is increasing. The data collection, entry, and collation follows a predictable process for hospital admissions. Many conclusions have been drawn from research performed using administrative databases. These conclusions can have significant and important implications for patients, providers, and society at large, to the extent that such data inform participants in the current health care policy debate. In an effort to better understand the significance of conclusions drawn from studies that rely on electronic administrative databases as their source of information, the present report addresses the process, strengths, weaknesses, and future plans for the use of administrative databases in spine research.