Overview
Leaf is a web application designed for cohort discovery using clinical data from single or multiple institutions. It enables researchers to define patient populations by applying various inclusion criteria: such as age, conditions, or treatments: directly to de-identified electronic health records (EHR). With a streamlined, self-service interface, Leaf supports preparatory research, allowing users to determine whether sufficient patient data exists for a proposed study and to assist in creating IRB protocols or grant proposals.
Key Features
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Self-Service Cohort Discovery: Allows researchers to design and execute cohort queries independently, bypassing technical barriers to clinical data access.
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De-identified EHR Data: Provides demographic breakdowns and patient counts while protecting patient privacy, ideal for early research planning.
- Multi-Institutional Data Access: Access clinical data from Loyola and other institutions within the Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM) partnership.
- Accessible Eligibility Criteria: Pre-built criteria to simplify cohort searches by factors like age, conditions, and medical procedures.
Benefits
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Enhanced Research Efficiency: Quickly assess cohort sizes, ensuring that studies are grounded in practical, accessible data.
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Streamlined Study Preparation: Facilitates IRB protocol creation by confirming cohort feasibility before committing to a study design.
- Secure and Compliant Data Handling: De-identified data meets HIPAA compliance, allowing users to work with sensitive information safely.
- Collaborative Platform: Participation by ITM institutions like the University of Chicago and RUSH enhances data diversity and cross-institutional studies.
- Flexible Criteria for Targeted Cohorts: Allows detailed, customizable cohort selection that can adjust to specific research needs or questions.
Available to
Available to Loyola affiliates eligible for IRB studies, requiring current CITI and HIPAA training. No approved IRB protocol is needed to access Leaf.
Cost
This service is provided at no additional cost to eligible* individuals or departments, as it is fully funded by the institution.
*Questions on eligibility, please contact the ITS Service Desk*