EAR evaluations are focused on issues that cannot be handled through individual national reports, for example, supranational comparisons.

EAR does not compete with National Arthroplasty Registers, but provides an additional level of evaluations.

EAR’s evaluations are based on the National Arthroplasty Register datasets, as well as on the EFORT Minimal Datasets, which are included in all national datasets.
National Registers remain free to add new contents to their national data collection.

EFORT Minimal Dataset: THA primary (PDF)
EFORT Minimal Dataset: THA revision (PDF)
EFORT Minimal Dataset: THK primary (PDF)
EFORT Minimal Dataset: THK revision (PDF)

Guidelines for EFORT Minimal Datasets:

• The patient must be clearly identifiable to match primary and revision surgery. This could be done by a unique personal code which remains stable for the patient’s lifetime (national or European medical codes), or by using an algorithm including personal data to create this code.
• Distinction of bipolar and partial prosthesis is optional, but recommended. Standardised documentation is also recommended for these implants.

• Implants have to be tracked clearly.
  EAR is recommending a standardised way based on recent technology.
  A standardised list covering the entire market should be set up including
• Article Number (EAN Code)
• Lot number
• A description of the implant based on ISO Standard 7206

The remark ‘databank’ on the forms refers to this approach.

The technical procedures of implant tracking are defined by the individual National Arthroplasty Register.

Evaluations are exclusively carried out on request of EAR. Publications are handled by EAR.

All national datasets remain in the exclusive ownership of the National Arthroplasty Registers.
The EAR Scientific Commitee is the only Board authorised to grant access to datasets.

Anybody interested in doing research based on EAR aggregated datasets is invited to send a proposal to the EAR Coordinator.

Please contact the the EAR Coordinator for further information.