Intro to i2b2
i2b2 has been designed to be easy to use and to not require programming.
The i2b2 database gathers data from diverse sources (EHRs, billing systems, GIS coding) and organizes the data using collections of similar concepts called ontologies. Whenever possible, ontologies are based on standard national reference codes. For example, diagnoses are coded using ICD9 and ICD10 codes, medications are coded using RxNorm codes, laboratory results are coded using LOINC codes, and procedures are coded using CPT and ICD9 and ICD10 codes. However, clinical service areas where care is received (“Services”) do not have a standard reference coding system so a local set of codes have been developed for BU-i2b2.
Users drag and drop ontology concepts into the i2b2 Query Tool and are able to perform aggregate queries using simple Boolean (and/or) logic, date ranges, and several other factors to count the number of individuals with the desired concepts.
Click here for additional information on ontologies.
Click here for additional information on the i2b2 Query Tool.