George Hripcsak - April 1, 2020

George Hripcsak: International observational research on COVID-19

OHDSI is a world-wide network that has combined databases of retrospective patient data from several countries. Columbia is the organizing center. When Dr. Hripcsak compares the age distribution data for those that test SARS-CoV-2 in Korea and CUIMC, he sees that age group with the highest positive test results in Korea is from individuals that are aged 20-44, where CUIMC is between 60-80 yo. Both sites see an equal split in terms of gender. This may be indicative of Korea’s widespread testing strategy. This data also suggests that it is an infection of the young and a disease of the old. By using the EHR, DBMI and others can begin to look at risk (Does already being on an ACE inhibitor help or harm your outcome if you contract SARS-CoV-2?) and clinical outcomes. We can get demographics, number of visits, labs, and medications now and soon we will be able to pull information on diagnoses, procedures, and vitals notes.