RESEARCH ARTICLE Valid comparisons and de b

Today0s information technologies make it possible to collect and process comprehensive population-based public-health data. Cohort studies and data register col-lect, check, and analyze medical data in regular time intervals. This procedure is intended to provide high-quality data on which crucial health-policy decisions can be based. The goal of this so-called “public-disclosure strategy ” is to increase health care system transparency of and for all stakeholders related to public health [1,2]. Increased transparency is important for various stake-holders (patients, physicians, hospital management, health insurers, clinical-trial coordinators, policymakers, etc.) in different settings (primary care, in-home care, biodatabases, etc.) and on various levels (micro, meso and macro) with regard to aspects of health care quality (structures, processes, outcomes) [3,4]. In all of the case