269293 Innovations in information technology: Storing, integrating and using EHR data

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM

Iris Zachary, MS, CTR , Missouri Cancer Registry, Dept. of Health Management & Informatics and MU Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Nancy Cole, BS, CTR , Health Management and Informatics, University of Missouri, Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center, Columbia, MO
Jeannette Jackson-Thompson, MSPH, PhD , Health Management & Informatics, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Alena Headd, MSIT , Dept. of Health Management & Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center, Columbia, MO
     
Background: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), also called HITECH (Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health), requires more than mandated transition to the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Sending/receiving health care entities need to prepare for expanded security and changing information environments. Standardization, interoperability and data exchange must move from abstract concepts and become reality. The EHR allows for real-time data sharing but presents challenges: interoperability of data elements and formats, need for data storage; data quality assurance; and record consolidation issues. National groups are working toward implementing standardized elements and formats; however, individual entities such as central cancer registries (CCRs) must resolve other issues.

Purpose: To describe steps taken by one CCR to receive, process and incorporate EHR data while maintaining the quality and security of all CCR data.

Methods: We reviewed the Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center's (MCR-ARC's) existing data processes and storage to identify potential problems and plan for large amounts of EHR data to be received, processed and stored at the CCR. Questions that were asked and answered include: Where will the large amount of incoming data be stored securely? What is the cost to store and back up the increased volume of data? What software will be utilized to process the incoming records so that multiple entries for an individual may be combined into a single record? When and how will an ERH record be imported into the main CCR database for editing and possible consolidation? What will be done with records deemed incomplete by CCR and national standards?

Results: Receiving, processing and storing large amounts of data being streamed from a variety of EHRs has presented many challenges but has led to capture of previously unreported cancer cases. We will describe solutions and discuss issues yet to be resolved.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the process of transmitting and receiving data from electronic health records (EHRs) 2. Identify two or more challenges in transferring data from a clinic or physician office to a central data repository. 3. List at least two benefits of using EHR as a reporting source.

Keywords: Information System Integration, Public Health Informatics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I'm the assistant database manager at the Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center at the University of Missouri.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4316.1: HIIT Innovation Part 2