In order to correctly perform record linkage among databases and accurately determine outcome indicators using hospital discharge data and death records, the quality of data is fundamental. A deterministic record linkage method was use to link hospital discharge data with records from the Death Registry in the Puglia region (Italy) for the years 2001-2006. Thirty-five percent of hospital discharge records in which the recorded discharge modality was "death" were not in agreement with the corresponding death records. Furthermore, 40% of hospital discharge records where the date of death was the same as the date of discharge from hospital did not record "death" as the discharge modality.