Evaluation of the encryption procedure and record linkage in the Belgian national cancer registry

摘要: Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the encryption and record linkage procedure implemented by Belgian National Cancer Registry (NCR). Methods: In order conform privacy legislation, an has been developed for exchange cancer notifications between data sources NCR. This consists two steps. 1) A hashing algorithm irreversibly transforms identification at source into a unique pseudonym. 2) reversible DES-encryption pseudonym performed Record according evaluated with 43.990 records from 16 sources. False negative false positive matches were estimated using deterministic concatenation variable (month year birth, sex, zipcode, initial first name). Results: Linkage based on resulted in 8.936 duplicate registrations. Concatenation detected 580 more matches. Additional use day birth visual inspection these probable lead 398 (4,3%) due spelling mistakes data. Only 4 linked pairs tumour (0,01%) very common last names. Conclusions: feasible. Due errors personal data, leads missed duplicates overestimation incidence. including full date reduces error, but can only be used as temporary solution. These results should taken account authorities consider specific law registration.