Completeness and data validity for the Danish Fracture Database.

INTRODUCTION Fracture-related surgery is among the most common orthopaedic procedures. However, to our knowledge, register-based quality assessment of fracture-related surgery has not previously been conducted. The Danish Fracture Database (DFDB) has been developed for the purpose of web-based quality assessment, but its properties as a valid data source have not previously been explored. We therefore investigated: 1) the completeness of data in the DFDB, and 2) if the entered data are valid data sources for future quality assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS We have developed the internet-based DFDB in which data entry is performed by the surgeon. Data collection includes primary fracture surgery and reoperations. After full implementation of the database at two orthopaedic departments, we assessed the completeness and validity of the entered data for 322 patients operated during a one-month period. Validity was calculated as observed agreement. RESULTS We recorded 83% completeness for all types of data entry, with 88% completeness for primary fracture surgery and 77% for reoperations, respectively. Patient- and trauma-related data were 82-100% valid. Surgery-related data included method of osteosynthesis and was valid in 89-99% of the cases. CONCLUSION The DFDB is an easy to use web-based database for registration of fracture-related surgery. Shortly after its implementation, we recorded satisfactory completeness and high data validity, which makes the DFDB a valuable tool with potential for nationwide quality assessment of fracture-related surgery.