Data Retrieval from Electronic Medical Records for USC Researchers

USC can use the research data warehouse for study planning (feasibility assessments, power analyses) through their respective i2b2 portals. The self-service website allows researchers to find the number of patients at Keck, or DHS (depending on their affiliation) that meet study inclusion and exclusion criteria. With IRB approval, researchers can also request identifiable patient information for screening or recruitment purposes from the CRI team.

Self-Service Data Requests
Using i2b2, users can search health system data for de-identified counts of patients who meet certain inclusion and exclusion criteria (i.e., cohort discovery). The search tool is accessible via a web browser and is self-service.

• Sample Size Planning / Feasibility Assessment: Determine how many patients in the USC, CHLA or DHS electronic health records meet your study criteria. View distributions of patients based on gender, race, and age.
• Recruitment or Chart Screening: Use i2b2 to define a set of patients to consider for your study. Then, outside of i2b2, work with the health system(s) to access MRN or contact information. IRB approval is required for identified data sets.
• Outcomes Research: Submit a request for de-identified data to use for a retrospective analysis.

USC researchers are required to complete (1) Human Subjects Training and (2) HIPAA training. Once complete, and reflecting in your iStar profile, please email cri@usc.edu requesting an account.

Self-Service data requests fulfilled through i2b2 are free of charge. For more complex data requests requiring the re-identification of Patient Health Information, or data unavailable through i2b2 rates can be found here.