2010 — Research Access to VA Data

Hynes DM (VA Information Resource Center, Hines VA Medical Center), Quinn J (National Data Systems (NDS)), Fihn SD (Office of Quality and Performance (OQP)), Cuccherini B (Office of Research and Development (ORD)), Hardenbrook S (VHA Privacy Office), Kok L (VA Information Resource Center (VIReC))

Workshop Objectives:
1) To review current process for research authorization to access/use VA databases, and 2) to describe initiatives aimed at streamlining the authorization process.

Activities:
John Quinn will present procedures for obtaining access to datasets where access is managed by NDS, e.g., MedSAS, DSS, CDW, MDS and Vital Status. Brenda Cuccherini will discuss ORD procedures for reviewing and authorizing access to VA data containing real SSNs. Linda Kok will discuss data request procedures for the VA/CMS datasets distributed by VIReC. Stephan Fihn will discuss access requirements for OQP data. Shawn Hardenbrook will present current HIA policy and describe efforts to streamline authorization for and tracking of access to national VA databases. Researchers may discuss their recent experiences and questions about obtaining authorization to use VA data.

Target Audience:
VA researchers who use VA databases.

Assumed Audience Familiarity with Topic:
Minimum familiarity with VA databases and the distinction between use of real SSN data and data with scrambled SSNs.