Biomedical Informatics Unit (BMIU): Slim-prim system bridges the gap between laboratory discovery and practice

Abstract

With current national emphasis on translational research, data exchange systems are needed that bridge basic science and clinical research. To meet this challenge, an electronic system was developed by the Biomedical Informatics Unit (BMIU) of the University of Tennessee Clinical Translation Science Institute (UT CTSI). This integrated data system collects, processes, archives, and distributes basic, clinical, and translational research data. The system provides information via web-based applications in a secure and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant manner to facilitate data sharing and analysis across domains. The system is currently in use by a number of studies and has proven to be an effective tool for data collection and processing in clinical studies.

Figure 1

A schematic outlining the Slim‐Prim system. Data from existing sources (listed on the left) can be migrated into Slim‐Prim (Oracle database). Controlled information sharing is then possible via the application programming interface (API) with the research community.

Figure 2

A schematic diagram depicting the metadata‐driven domains of the Slim‐Prim integrated database system (IDS). Controlled vocabularies and a relational database structure allow input to Slim‐Prim from multiple formats. Standardized reporting tools allow controlled data sharing and future federation with national resources, such as the NIH caBIG.

Figure 3

A screenshot of the Principal Investigator (PI)/administrator interface. This utility allows investigators to construct forms or questionnaires (shown in this figure). Questions can be added individually, or the questionnaire can be constructed offline in an Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redman, WA, USA) template and imported.

Figure 4

Screenshot of a questionnaire that is visible to the end user (patients, nurses, etc.). Options to enter data via dropdown menus (not shown), radio buttons, and free text entry options are determined by the Pl/administrator interface.

Figure 5

A screenshot of the “data dictionary” from the HCUP KID database module in Slim‐Prim. Slim‐Prim contains controlled vocabularies such as ICD‐9 codes and has a user‐expandable dictionary to aid in querying and merging data.