Uniform pacemaker and ICD information system in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands the Central Pacemaker Patient Registry (CPPR) collects information of pacemaker and ICD (implantable cardio defibrillator) patients from all 109 Dutch hospitals. Many pacemaker clinics use a computer to store their implant and follow-up data in a database. Because the devices are getting more and more complex more clinical data is needed for optimal use of the device. Since 1989 databases have been developed by several pacemaker industries and some clinics use databases developed themselves. When using these databases you depend on individual persons for support and update of the database. In order to improve the accuracy of received data and to ensure continuity a uniform pacemaker and ICD information system is developed where data is checked, after which it is sent to the central registry by e-mail and where support is guaranteed by the NPRF.