The data elements within the ICU data mart relational database continue to expand, and now include details from the pre-ICU environment (e.g. emergency department and transportation), as well as post-ICU long-term outcomes. Due to the success of this effort, we have an effort underway to replicate this process in the perioperative environment as well.
While the OR data mart will clearly benefit from the approaches and experiences of the ICU data mart build, it will also serve as a valuable additional data source as the ICU data mart continues to grow. Ultimately, by securing detailed data from pre-ICU environments such as the ED and the OR, we believe systems such as this can help to find new ways to optimize healthcare delivery in the OR and ICU. Perhaps more importantly, technological strategies such as the ones described above may prevent patients from needing intensive care services in the first place.
Vitaly Herasevich, M.D., Ph.D., is assistant professor of medicine; Daryl J. Kor, M.D., is assistant professor of anesthesiology; Man Li, M.D., is senior analyst programmer, Anesthesia Clinical Research Unit; and Brian W. Pickering, M.D., is assistant professor of anesthesiology. All are with the Department of Anesthesiology, Multidisciplinary Epidemiology and Translational Research in Intensive Care (METRIC), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Healthcare Informatics 2011 November;28(11):42-45
