A system and method for efficiently linking local databases having different data formats or standards into a network, wherein a content based router is provided between each of the databases and a network “party line” bus and translates data from the respective database into a common canonical form or format so that all information within the network between the content based routers complies with the common canonical form and are validated according to single standard or mechanism, for example when information first enters the network. Also provided is a tracking or audit mechanism whereby each item of information provided with a unique network identifier when it first enters the network, and is also provided with or associated with a local identifier from each local database that originates or accesses the information item and router identifiers of the content based routers corresponding to those local databases.