A Strategy for Converting Clinical Data Into Research Databases

Abstract

The process of converting clinical information into a research database is complex. Following assemblage of a team including clinicians and researchers (supplemented by statisticians and informatics personnel as needed) a three-phase, eight-step process may be followed for clinical information conversion and database generation. The amount, type, and variety of data stored will greatly increase in the future. This increased availability of databases is useful in research and can expand the opportunities to conduct clinical nursing research. The case study presentation illustrates how individuals from various organizations collaborate to develop accountability systems that best serve the public interest. The purpose of this joint venture was the development and conversion of measures into a database to determine the quality of care for people with diabetes. In addition, opportunities exist for extracting data to examine outcome criteria for patient care.