Hand Trauma Case Identification Algorithm

Requiring specialist billing improved specificity and PPV with only a small decrease in sensitivity. Requiring procedure codes for general diagnosis codes increased specificity and PPV but reduced sensitivity. The optimal algorithm had sensitivity of 73.8%, specificity of 80.1%, PPV of 78.1%, and NPV of 76.1%. The optimal algorithm combined specific OHIP diagnostic codes or diagnostic-plus-procedure evidence within one year with at least one claim billed by a hand trauma specialist. The study developed and validated an algorithm to identify hand trauma patients in provincial health administrative data using clinical medical records as the reference standard.