Extracting a statistical data matrix from electronic patient records

This paper describes the processing and transformation of medical data from a clinical database to a statistical data matrix. precise extraction and l inking tools must be available for the desired data to be processed for sta tistical purposes. We show that flexible mechanisms are required for the di fferent types of users, such as physicians and statisticians. In our retrie val tools we use logical queries based on operands and operators. The paper describes the method and appliance of the operators with which the desired matrix is created through a process of selection and linking, Examples wit h a Kaplan Meier function and time-dependent covariables demonstrate how ou r model is useful for different user groups. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Irel and Ltd. All rights reserved.