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Published on: January 22, 2011
Development of an enterprise-wide clinical data repository: merging multiple legacy databases
K W Scully1, R D Pates, G S Desper
1University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, USA.
Summary
This study details a new clinical data repository at UVAHS, integrating diverse data for improved patient care surveillance and research. The system offers a low-cost, accessible tool for data sharing and analysis across departments.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Clinical Data Management
- Database Systems
Background:
- Legacy mainframe systems at the University of Virginia Health System (UVAHS) hindered comprehensive data access.
- Integrating disparate data sources (administrative, billing, clinical) is crucial for effective healthcare management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a unified clinical data repository integrating multiple data sources.
- To create a user-friendly interface for efficient data querying and analysis.
- To support patient care surveillance, clinical research, and data sharing.
Main Methods:
- Assembled four years of inpatient administrative and billing data from UVAHS legacy systems.
- Linked cardiac surgery clinical database and physician billing data (inpatient/outpatient).
- Utilized Sybase relational database management system on an IBM RS/6000, creating a 2.5 GB repository for ~100,000 admissions.
- Developed a custom World Wide Web (WWW) user interface generating Structured Query Language (SQL) for data retrieval.
Main Results:
- Successfully integrated diverse datasets into a centralized repository.
- Demonstrated rapid reporting capabilities using coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patient data.
- Established a foundation for a comprehensive clinical database.
Conclusions:
- The developed information system provides a convenient and low-cost method to enhance data availability at UVAHS.
- The system empowers clinicians with a tool for monitoring patient care and outcomes.
- It serves as a core for future clinical research and facilitates data sharing among departments.
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