Surgical Database: Creating a Tool for Research and Communication Between and Within Hospitals

Connie DeLa'O, MD., Anna Sharpless*, Dr. LoPinto, MD.
Ruby Memorial Hospital-Surgical Unit, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Health Sciences (Poster presentation)

Student’s Major: International Studies

In 2010 alone, 51.4 million inpatient procedures were performed in hospitals located in the United States. These procedures, most often falling under the category of general surgery, are essential to the health of society. However, there is no country-wide practice for databases concerning surgeries. Currently, hospitals are forced to create a database themselves if they want to utilize the tool that not only keeps track of surgeries performed in the hospital, but also allows them to conduct research more easily due to the digitized information already being sorted. This study was conducted by the surgical unit in Ruby Memorial Hospital in order to create a surgical database for all previous and current patients. First, the database itself had to be created using the program Redcap. Then criteria for each entry needed to be established, while also de-individualizing data and adhering to HIPPA rules. Data was then entered on a patient-by-patient basis, organized based on procedure and specialty. There are no current conclusions as the database is currently still undergoing development, but once up, it will make physicians’ research run more smoothly. The creation of a surgical database is important, especially for a large hospital such as Ruby Memorial, because it allows doctors to notice problem areas within procedures, potential complications, and potential links between previous health issues and the need for certain procedures.

Funding: Not funded

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course