Abstract
Background/Aims Multi-site, multi-purpose networks such as the HMO Research Network consortia projects and the FDA Mini-Sentinel need an efficient mechanism to track project activities and specific queries, organize local resources, and create a searchable index to enable communication of lessons learned and re-use of resources. To this end, the Mini-Sentinel Operations Center (MSOC) has created the Mini-Sentinel Data Catalog (MSDC) to track all Mini-Sentinel projects.
Methods The MSDC is a system designed to capture and organize the key meta-data of all MSOC querying activities, to provide a catalog of all data partner (DP) activity, to allow rapid reporting of key metrics, and to enable Mini-Sentinel users to quickly identify the location and relevant information for all data queries. The system is integrated into the Mini-Sentinel secure file transfer system, so when new results for data queries are uploaded to the secure transfer site the MSDC processes an automatically generated email with the relevant information that is then incorporated into the tracker. The system allows MSOC to view the query responses and mark them as accepted or rejected. The MSDC allows users to create notes associated with all projects and subtasks, and enables easy filtering to track the status of results by query ID, DP or status, and the creation of reports on the history of each. The system incorporates role based access control with a variety of editing and reporting privileges that can be set by user.
Results The MSOC has completed beta-testing of the MSDC, and is using the system to track 25 individual projects facilitating rapid access to useful meta-data, providing MSOC with a simple tool to manage and track >250 individual DP responses.
Discussion MSOC plans to use the MSDC to track future projects submitted to DPs. It will be expanded to accommodate a more diverse set of project types and to more seamlessly handle uploads to the Mini-Sentinel secure file transfer system. The system will also be integrated into the Mini-Sentinel distributed query tool that is based on the PopMedNet software platform, creating an integrated distributed querying and management platform.
