It's time: Record linkage - The vision and the reality

Objective: To examine reasons for the minimal use of Australian administrative health data for research and evaluation. Method: Legislative, organisational, social and political barriers in Australia are described. Results: System changes are identified that would support the implementation of an evaluation-oriented health data collection system. A Universal Patient Identifier is essential. Leadership and funding at the federal level will be required to ensure the co-ordinated introduction of a rational and integrated health data system in Australia. Conclusions: Health data in Australia is not currently collected in a manner that allows the assessment of health outcomes. It is time to change the basis of health data collection from accounting to health outcomes evaluation and to reorganise the system to support this. Implications: If appropriate national health data were available, research and evaluation of services could be undertaken and treatment outcomes and adverse events could be monitored. Such information could provide a basis for targeted clinical trials and provide evidence for best clinical practice.