Analysis of a probabilistic record linkage technique without human review

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2003:2003:259-63.

Abstract

We previously developed a deterministic record linkage algorithm demonstrating sensitivities approaching 90% while maintaining 100% specificity. Substantially better performance has been reported using probabilistic linkage techniques; however, such methods often incorporate human review into the process. To avoid human review, we employed an estimator function using the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm to establish a single true-link threshold. We compared the unsupervised probabilistic results against the manually reviewed gold-standard for two hospital registries, as well against our previous deterministic results. At an estimated specificity of 99.95%, actual specificities were 99.43% and 99.42% for registries A and B, respectively. At an estimated sensitivity of 99.95%, actual sensitivities were 99.19% and 98.99% for registries A and B, respectively. The EM algorithm estimated linkage parameters with acceptable accuracy, and was an improvement over the deterministic algorithm. Such a methodology may be used where record linkage is required, but human intervention is not possible or practical.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Computer Communication Networks
  • Humans
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Record Linkage / methods*
  • Medical Records Systems, Computerized*
  • Probability*