International journal of medical informatics
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A computerised record hash coding and linkage procedure is proposed to allow the chaining of medical information within the framework of epidemiological follow-up. Before their extraction, files are rendered anonymous using a one-way hash coding based on the standard hash algorithm (SHA) function, in order to respect the legislation on data privacy and security. ⋯ Once rendered anonymous, the linkage of patient information can be accomplished by means of a statistical model, taking into account several identification variables. Quality assessment of this anonymous record linkage procedure shows a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 95%.