PMD1 Information Technology in A Large Multi-Site Outcomes Study

Abstract

A multi‐institutional alliance composed of leading spine surgery departments from around the country was chartered to prospectively collect and analyze outcomes data. The project provides a template for the effective use of dissemination and collection technology in an outcomes study. METHODS: Geographically diverse participants representing Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Emory Clinic, Henry Ford Hospital, University of New Mexico, Lahey Hitchcock Clinic, Lovelace Health System, and Mayo Clinic worked together and established a technology base to combine and disseminate project information. A project web‐page, located on a commercial server, established the platform for recording and providing information to the sites. The data processing center for the collaboration also developed a software package for patient tracking and administration. It provided efficient, cost‐effective processes for data acquisition, confidential management, coding, and transmission of project data. The system also facilitated the design, printing, and real‐time scoring of scannable survey forms which were customizable to each site. RESULTS: The web‐pages provided increased interest in the project both from within and outside of the consortium. Establishing the patient management software across sites was challenging; however, the technology proved beneficial and worth the effort. The program kept patient demographic information confidential and operational staffing costs associated with processing each questionnaire low, approximately $0.74. It also kept data collection and entry standards uniform across the country. CONCLUSION: This collaboration demonstrates the benefits and limitations of using advanced information technology suitable to pharmacoeconomic outcomes research. Several key factors involved in the success of the project included keeping web‐pages updated for dissemination of information and creating useable software for uniform patient management and tracking at each site.