Optimising data collection for orthopaedic audit: a comparison of four techniques

Abstract

The collection of complete and accurate data is an essential prerequisite of any study that aims to produce meaningful results. Much contemporary research in orthopaedic surgery has focused on proving the superiority of one implant or technique over another and relies on data which are currently being collected by various different methods. Modern joint replacement surgery is now successful with high implant survivorship at 10 and even 20 years and any new prosthetic design could be expected to result in only a modest improvement over current results. Complete follow‐up as well as optimum data collection are therefore of particular importance to detect any such benefit. Four methods commonly used for the collection of orthopaedic data were compared in this study with the aim of finding out which techniques would automatically result in the most reliable capture of complete data without the need for labour‐intensive supervision and the use of additional resources. The information obtained has been used to re‐define the audit methods for the North West Regional Arthroplasty Register.

Citation

Sochart, D.H., Long, A.J., Wilson, K.H. and Porter, M.L. (1996), "Optimising data collection for orthopaedic audit: a comparison of four techniques", Journal of Clinical Effectiveness, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 100-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb020846