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.