Clinical Research Database

The key to successful analysis of outcomes is effective management of patient information. At the Steadman HawkinsSports Medicine Foundation, we have developed a method of managing a patient's outcome information. In an effort to assess patient outcome following treatment, data is collected on all patients with knee and shoulder problems. This data consists of both patient and physician assessment of improvement over the preoperative status. All of the collected data is stored in the Clinical Research Database. From the database, data is analyzed and reports can be generated. The following graphs show how the database has grown over the years. (Figure 1a & b)

Knee Database

1a

Shoulder Database

1b

Hip Database

1c

As the database has grown, it has become a valuable research tool and has led to increased research productivity in the Department of Clinical Research.

The most exciting addition to the clinical database in 1999 was the development of a computerized data collection system. This system was developed at the end of 1999 and will undergo testing in 2000. The system utilizes the Palm Pilot hand held device. Physicians in the clinic use the device to enter objective data following a patient exam. The goal of this system is to reduce the number of paper forms and reduce scanning. The system will also reduce time spent by staff collecting data and will increase the accuracy of the data collected. As the accuracy of the data increases, the value of the data also increases.

Back to Clinical Research Home Page