Electronic protocol for clinical data collection in chronic visceral ischemia

Multidisciplinary electronic protocol for collection of clinical and surgical data on chronic venous insufficiency

Background

Use of electronic protocols for data collection and storage enables clinical research to be conducted dynamically, contributing to medical advances.

Objectives

To create an electronic data base for collection of clinical and surgical data on chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), to facilitate production of scientific studies.

Methods

Initially, a database was constructed by means of a bibliographic review of text books and relevant scientific articles for all vascular diseases and then a database on CVI was extracted. These data were computerized using the Integrated Electronic Protocols System (SINPE©) and then assessed in a pilot project.

Results

The multidisciplinary electronic protocol for vascular diseases covered the following items: history taking, physical examination, work-up tests, types of treatment, and progression. Using these items, a master protocol was created containing 6,145 items, and then a CVI-specific protocol containing 2,877 items was compiled. The protocol's functionality was tested in a pilot project, collecting data from medical records. The information collected was analyzed and illustrated graphically.

Conclusions

It proved possible to create an electronic protocol for collection of clinical and surgical data on CVI. The protocol was incorporated into the SINPE©, greatly facilitating production of scientific research in the area.