Collecting data for genetic studies could be faster and cheaper by mining patient data that already exists in electronic medical records, rather than recruiting thousands of patients to collect data for genetic clues to disease, according to Northwestern Medicine research.
In the study, researchers were able to pull patient information in EMRs at five national sites that all used different EMR software. The information allowed researchers to accurately identify patients with five kinds of diseases or health conditions – type 2 diabetes, dementia, peripheral arterial disease, cataracts and cardiac conduction.
To identify the diseases, the researchers searched the EMRs for criteria, such as medications, diagnoses and laboratory tests. Physician reviews confirmed the results, researchers said. The EMRs allowed researchers to identify patients' diseases with 73-98 percent accuracy. The researchers were also able to reproduce previous genetic findings from prospective studies using the EMRs.
Read the news release about genetic studies from EMRs.
Read other coverage about EMRs:
- AMA Launches AMAGINE Physician Platform
- Health IT Panel Considers Delaying New EHR Requirements for One Year
- Struggling Singing River Health System Seeks $37.5M Loan to Meet Meaningful Use
In the study, researchers were able to pull patient information in EMRs at five national sites that all used different EMR software. The information allowed researchers to accurately identify patients with five kinds of diseases or health conditions – type 2 diabetes, dementia, peripheral arterial disease, cataracts and cardiac conduction.
To identify the diseases, the researchers searched the EMRs for criteria, such as medications, diagnoses and laboratory tests. Physician reviews confirmed the results, researchers said. The EMRs allowed researchers to identify patients' diseases with 73-98 percent accuracy. The researchers were also able to reproduce previous genetic findings from prospective studies using the EMRs.
Read the news release about genetic studies from EMRs.
Read other coverage about EMRs:
- AMA Launches AMAGINE Physician Platform
- Health IT Panel Considers Delaying New EHR Requirements for One Year
- Struggling Singing River Health System Seeks $37.5M Loan to Meet Meaningful Use