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EMR data can speed genetic research
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 2, 2011
Data recorded in electronic medical records during routine office visits can be used to speed genetic research on various diseases, according to a study in the April 20 issue of Science Translational Medicine (link).
Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago examined data from five EMR systems. They used data fields such as diagnosis, laboratory tests and medications to see if they could identify certain disease phenotypes, which they did with an accuracy rate between 73% and 98%.
The five conditions identified were cardiac conduction, cataracts, dementia, peripheral arterial disease and type 2 diabetes. The study authors say an increase in interoperable EMR adoption would improve the availability of data for genomic research.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/02/bibf0502.htm.












