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CDW-R: Other BUMC Resources to Support Researchers

Study design and IRB application

The CDW-R team is available to help refine research data extraction requests, suggest available data to operationalize research questions, and advise on completing BMC/BUMC IRB INSPIR applications to ensure access to data. 

CDW-R does do not provide longitudinal methodologic consultation to help investigators develop their research questions, study designs, nor statistical analysis plans. CDW-R also does not provide assistance developing IRB applications beyond a discussion of which Research Data Warehouse elements to include. For assistance with study design or IRB preparation, investigators can access the following resources: 

Data management, programming, and analysis support

While the CDW-R works with investigators to provide data in a user-friendly format, it does not offer data cleaning, data management, or data analysis services.  Generally, the CDW-R does not conduct any calculations nor derive study-specific variables. The CDW-R also does not calculate descriptive statistics nor do statistical programming beyond simple counts. Data are provided in a raw extract format suitable for further study-specific data management. For assistance with data cleaning, management, or analysis, the following contacts may be helpful: 

BMC Data and Methods Core

The BMC Data and Methods Core is a research core facility dedicated to enhancing clinical and translational research by providing statistical expertise and analytical services throughout the research project lifecycle, ensuring robust support for investigators. The Data and Methods Core provides expert consultation, grant planning support, data management, and statistical analysis services. Services are accessible to all research staff at BUMC, with special emphasis on supporting early-to-mid career clinical investigators, fostering their development and success in research. 

BMC Research Technology Program (RTP)

The BMC Research Technology Program supports researchers with IT scope, planning, budgeting, and implementation of technology to support research at BMC. RTP can assist researchers with equipment purchases, application review and installation coordination, and technology scoping for research studies.

Self-Service Platform: TriNetX

TriNetX is a self-service, web-based tool for research patient cohort discovery that also enables researchers to analyze data from BMC electronic health records. BMC electronic health record data in TriNetX extend back to the year 2000 and are refreshed every 1-2 months. Data include diagnoses, medications, laboratory results, encounters/visits, vital signs, and demographics. 

Through TriNetX, users can search for patients who meet specified criteria, without prior Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Data are presented as unique patient counts. Such a search can help researchers determine whether enough potential patients are available to properly conduct a research study. 

With IRB approval, users can request patient-level data or place requests for de-identified data extracts from a broader research network of healthcare organizations. Users can also explore self-service analytic tools directly on the platform. BUMC researchers with Human Subjects research training and an active BMC account may use TriNetX. Contact Nicholas Trombley, BU CTSI Research Coordinator, to request access or more information about training. Online training modules are also available through the help center after getting access.  

SlicerDicer

SlicerDicer Access and Intended Use 

  • All BMC Health System Epic users have access to SlicerDicer. BU faculty and staff without an Epic account do not have access to SlicerDicer.
  • For Epic users, SlicerDicer can be accessed in Epic by searching for “SlicerDicer” in the Epic search bar. SlicerDicer was developed for operational reporting, not IRB-approved research. 
  • BMC Health System does not permit the use of SlicerDicer for research beyond initial aggregate data exploration for cohort discovery and assessment of research feasibility. 

Training and Support

  • SlicerDicer training is available through BMC’s Workday.
  • Users can self-enroll in training using the SlicerDicer training tip sheet, which is also available on The Hub through the eMerge Site Quick Links.
  • For more in-depth SlicerDicer training, users may submit a ServiceNow ticket to request additional training from the BMC Epic Training team. 

Research Data Options 

For research purposes, study teams may obtain data through one of the following options: 

  • Manual chart review and data abstraction: More information from the BUMC IRB on planning a manual chart review study is available on the BUMC IRB website..
  • CDW-R data extraction services: The process for requesting research data from CDW-R is outlined on the CDW-R: How to Request Data. CDW-R operates as a BMC Research Core Facility and charges an hourly fee for data extraction services. 
  • TriNetX self-service tool: TriNetX  is a self-service tool for research patient cohort discovery that allows researchers to explore and analyze data from BMC electronic health records directly on the web-based platform. Please see Self-Service Platform: TriNetX  section for more information.
  • Other Research IT needs: For other Research IT needs related to an IRB-approved study, please submit a request through the Research ServiceNow Catalog
Non-research projects

The CDW-R is intended for research purposes only. CDW-R analysts extract and provision data according to the various research regulations and protocols. 

  • For all other data request purposes, including operations projects and quality improvement (QI), please submit a ServiceNow ticket at BMC ServiceNow or contact the BMC Systems Analytics Team directly.
  • For information on QI/Quality Assurance (QA) projects and IRB review, visit the BMC/BUMC IRB's website.
  • For QI resources and project support, contact the BMC QI Hub.
Connect with CDW-R

Questions? Email us.

Submit a Research Data Extraction Request