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FEBRUARY 2019
Latest Updates
A Message From Leadership
Greetings!

This month, we are catching the cleaning wave! February is named after the purification ritual “Februa,” which was a sort of an early Roman spring cleaning festival. Clearly, there is still a need for such a ritual, as organization experts like Marie Kondo are tapping into our need to purge. 

With that said, it is a great opportunity to delete data files from your download folder, desktop, etc., once you’ve saved them to a HIPAA-compliant storage location. It’s such a privilege to work at an institution with such rich data resources, and we each have to keep our commitment to safe, “clean” storage practices.
 
We are continuing our mission toward strengthening the data community through special training with DataDirect 101: Live Online Training this Thursday, February 14 , and the latest installment of the Data Office Learning Series on Wednesday, March 13 , at NCRC10 - South Atrium . Scroll down for more information about these special events, available data for research, self-serve tools, and data & security.

Questions about our services? Contact  us  with your ideas and questions. Here's to a great 2019!

Sincerely,
Erin Kaleba, M.P.H.
Director, Data Office for Clinical & Translational Research
Reminders
  • Previously accessible to researchers with Level-2 credentials and PEERRS training, the DataDirect application is now available to U-M faculty and their research teams, campus-wide. The new application is intended for the non-medical research community. Michigan Medicine users should continue to use this link to access DataDirect. Level-1 users should access the tool via this link. The team is always looking for feedback, so please reach out anytime here!
  • Do you need standard language for manuscripts (method, reference sections, etc.) or grant proposals (resources or environment sections)? Contact us!
  • Have you recently submitted any manuscripts in which you received data from DataDirect, EMERSE, or our Data Office analysts? We want to know about it! Email us.
Available Data for Research
What is the Pain Scale?
The pain scale, often called "the fifth vital," is an important data element frequently requested by researchers. It is documented in a collection of different templates in MiChart, based on unit, patient's age, and conditions. Aside from the most commonly used 0-10 numeric scale, there are also the following:

  • Color scale
  • Droppable-1549908192030Word graphic scale
  • Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (3 years of age and older, including adults)
  • FLACC (Pre-verbal, non-verbal, and cognitively impaired children and adults)
  • PASS (Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale)
  • PAINAD (Pain assessment in advanced dementia)

When you request pain scale data, the Data Office will identify the pain scale used based on your cohort and convert to the 0-10 scale when necessary. Check out the conversion map .

Questions about pain scale data? Email Arina Bierdz at  [email protected] .
Self-Serve Tools
EMERSE Supports Patient Lists
EMERSE supports patients lists of up to 100,000 patients per list with no limits on the number of lists you create. Lists can be created from a search within EMERSE, sent directly from DataDirect, or simply by pasting in a column of medical record numbers from an Excel spreadsheet. Patients in the list can be labeled with comments and tags as you review their documentation, and the lists can be exported back to a password-protected Excel file along with the comments/tags.

You can even   MiShare   the list among your research team so that all team members can add comments/tags to the same list. For more information, see our user guide !

As with all PHI, handle patient data safely. Refer to the   General Security Guidelines for Handling Patient Data   for details.
Data Privacy & Security
Medical Students and Clinical Data
Medical students provide a valuable contribution to progress on research efforts, but because of their temporary status, it creates a heightened risk in terms of access to PHI. Students who require access to data for an exempt study should be provided with de-identified data only. 
 
This practice is also helpful from an IRB perspective, since amendments to update study team members are not required. The PI is responsible for ensuring that all PHI has been stripped before a student is given access to the data set. An  attestation  is also advised for each student who will be handling data. The Data Office offers assistance in these type of situations and will provide appropriate guidance.    
 
Get more information about sharing your data safely  here . More questions? Contact Devon Newman at  [email protected] .
Training & Events
DataDirect: Discover Clinical Data TOMORROW
Are you a new user of DataDirect or are you looking for more information on features and functionality of the tool? You are invited to attend this live online training!

Thursday, February 14
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Online

The access link and instructions will be sent directly to participants who RSVP.
Next Up: Data Office Learning Series
Analysts can get a dive deep into gastroenterology data resources at the latest installment of our Data Office Learning Series with sessions led by Peter Higgins, MD , who will cover the value of individual queries to clinical and IBD research, as well as Sharon Murphy , who will present on the GI DataMart.

Data Office Learning Series
Wednesday, March 13
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
NCRC10 - South Atrium
The mission of the  Data Office for Clinical & Translational Research is to foster the translation of data into research that improves clinical outcomes by bridging the gap between personal health data and clinical research. 
To better navigate the complexities of the U-M biomedical research enterprise, visit the Research Project Lifecycle . This interactive tool provides an overview of the resources available to you, not only within the Medical School Office of Research but also across the University of Michigan.