title: Synthesis of a database test bed for evaluating record linkage algorithms.
abstract: Record linkage algorithm development is a challenging task requiring large databases representative of a target population. As part of an evaluation of a health information exchange project we had the need for a linking algorithm that would not pass protected health information among organizations. We synthesized a test bed for this purpose employing a randomization process and incorporating conditions that represent the study population and possible error generating conditions in real world electronic record systems.
authors.affiliation: Health Informatics,University of Minnesota, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Donald P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Connelly
authors.forename: Boonchai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kijsanayotin
authors.forename: Stuart M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Speedie
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008498:Medical Record Linkage / Q000379:methods*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*