Automated medical record linkage systems have been used for nearly 20 years for post-marketing drug safety assessment. Recently, networks of databases have been used to study problems that require large or diverse populations. Merging data from different systems poses special challenges for several reasons -- including differences in captured data elements and their reliability, different levels of detail captured by the databases, variations in coding conventions for drug formularies and other data items, and the need to protect the confidentiality of medical records. This presentation will describe methods used by the HMO Research Network, to conduct drug safety research using the records and experience of 6 million members of 8 HMOs.
Learning Objectives: The multicenter nature of these databases offer new possibilities for post-marketing surveillance programs, which will be the basis of his presentation
Keywords: Surveillance, Data Collection
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.