How to Ask and Answer Questions Using Electronic Medical Record Data

Many healthcare professionals and their leadership share a common misconception that by digitizing medical records with the purchase of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) the analytic needs of the enterprise are met. While the EMR streamlines the process of data collection, shows individual patient history, creates patient lists using simple filters, it lacks critical tools to meaningfully evaluate system performance to drive quality improvement and efficiency.

In this concise, reader-friendly reference guide, Eran Bellin-epidemiologist and software developer of Looking Glass Clinical Analytics-explains how to overcome the challenge of extracting information from your digital system for research projects and operational-assessment needs. You will learn how to ask the right questions, effectively pull data specific to your criteria, and test its relevancy.

For researchers just starting their careers, as well as healthcare administrators and leaders, this book covers the basic concepts, definitions, and skills needed to evaluate EMR data. Seasoned researchers and clinicians will benefit from exploration of more advanced topics such as using "ugly laboratory tests," responding to user-identity protocol violations, and using data analysis to drive real improvement.

Whether you're a practitioner or CEO, discover how to spin the straw of raw data into analytic gold.