Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Oct;468(10):2592-7.
doi: 10.1007/s11999-010-1442-1.

The role of SIGN in the development of a global orthopaedic trauma database

John F Clough  1 , Lewis G Zirkle, Robert J Schmitt
Affiliations

The role of SIGN in the development of a global orthopaedic trauma database

John F Clough et al. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Background: The global burden of injury is receiving recognition as a major public health problem but inadequate information delays many proposed solutions. Many attempts to collect reliable data on orthopaedic trauma have been unsuccessful. The Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) database is one of the largest collections of fracture cases from lower and middle income countries.

Questions/purposes: We describe the information in the SIGN database then address two questions: In the context of the design and implementation of a global trauma database, what lessons does the SIGN database teach? Does the SIGN program have a role in the evolution of a wider global system?

Methods: The SIGN database is Internet based. After treating a patient with a SIGN nail surgeons enter radiographs and details of the case.

Results: Over 26000 cases are in the SIGN database. The database has been used as a source of cases for followup studies. Analysis shows the data are of sufficient quality to allow studies of fracture patterns but not for outcome studies or bone measurement. WHERE DO WE NEED TO GO?: A global database with more comprehensive coverage of injuries, causes, treatment modalities and outcomes is needed. HOW DO WE GET THERE?: The SIGN database itself will not become a global trauma database (GTD) but the personnel of the SIGN program have much to offer in the design and adoption of a GTD. Studies of suitable methods of data collection and the incentive to use them are required.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The components and interrelationships of a Global Trauma Database (GTD) are shown.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Aharonson-Daniel L, Avitzour M, Giveon A, Peleg K. A decade to the Israel National Trauma Registry. Isr Med Assoc J. 2007;9:347–351. - PubMed
    1. Al Naami MY, Sadik AA, Adam MA. Evaluation of trauma registry data in Asir region. Saudi Med J. 2001;22:438–443. - PubMed
    1. Alexander I. The impact of future trends in electronic data collection on musculoskeletal research and evidence-based orthopaedic care. Arthroscopy. 2003;19:1007–1011. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2003.09.024. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Begg S, Tomijima N. Global Burden of Injury in the Year 2000: An Overview of Methods. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2006:1–22.
    1. Burman W. The Trauma Register Experience - A Quest for Better Quality Data through Direct Physician and Patient Structured Data (i.e. point-and-click, menu-driven) Entry. Available at: http://www.hwbf.org/oko/. Accessed May 3, 2010.