Hong Kong Med J 2008;14(Suppl 1):S11-3
Data cleaning, maintenance, and analysis of the HA SARS Collaborative Groups database
ECCW Shung
Statistics and Research Unit, Hospital Authority Head Office, 147B Argyle Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong
 
 
1. Data from various operational systems were integrated into a structured data collection system enabling the construction of a comprehensive, timely, complete, and accurate HA SARS Collaborative Groups dataset.
2. This dataset facilitated further in-depth, sophisticated analyses on the risk/prognostic factors by comparing outcomes of different treatments at different time points of disease progression.
3. Inputs from clinicians on data validation and management, data analyses, and modelling helped to better understand the disease.
4. The experience gained has laid foundations for conducting clinical and health services research studies, should future epidemics of infectious disease affect Hong Kong.