1. Jessica Wood, Graeme MacLennan & Jemma Hudson
Record linkage of trial datasets to hospital admission records: a trial manager’s experience
Suzanne Breeman
Jessica Wood, Graeme MacLennan & Jemma Hudson

2. Background Different types of outcome data
Various methods of collecting outcome data
Collection of outcomes from participants can be challenging

3. Clinical outcomes
Clinical outcomes that involve the use of health services
Record linkage of trial datasets to routine datasets may be an option
Linked through unique identifiers
Two surgical RCTs that used a dual model of data collection of clinical outcomes

4. Case studies KAT Examined three key aspects of TKR design
Functional status using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS)
Need for additional knee surgery
eTHoS
Compared two surgical treatments for haemorrhoids
Generic Quality of life - EQ-5D
Need for recurrence surgery

5. Acknowledgment
KAT (Project number 95/10/01) and eTHoS (Project number 08/24/02) were funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the HTA programme, NIHR, NHS or the Department of Health.

6. Application process Consent process Lengthy application process
Extensive data security checks
Data classification

7. Advantages Overcomes issues with participant retention
Reduced the level of missing data
Approx. 20% of relevant hospital readmissions identified through routine data only
Approx. 70% match between data sources
Inconsistencies?

8. Inconsistencies
KAT
Contacted hospital to collect information directly from patients’ notes
Only reports that were verified were included in the analyses
eTHoS
Participant report treated as ‘correct’ version when inconsistency could not be verified

9. Summary Collection of outcome data in RCTs can be challenging
Clinical outcomes (hospital readmissions) can be collected through record linkage
Time consuming process/need to plan ahead
Overcome issues with participant retention

10. Thank for your attention.
If you have any further questions please contact:
Suzanne Breeman
hsru_aberdeen