Related Centers, Divisions and Programs
Epidemiology and Health Systems Research
The Division of Pediatric Epidemiology conducts population-based research on children’s health issues, collaborating with faculty in clinical research, and providing an infrastructure and shared resources for database management and statistical analyses. The division is committed to improving the health of families and children, sustaining an academic environment that encourages teaching and research, and working collaboratively with other members of the health care team. This group is involved with many other departments at MUSC, local community services, state agencies and institutions, and national and international investigators in addressing issues of maternal and child health. The division currently oversees an integrated patient information system that includes the: Perinatal Information System (PINS), Pediatric Transport Information System (MEDUCARE), and Newborn Developmental High Risk Follow-up Clinic Data System (FOLLOWUP). The data contained in these systems encompass the events and clinical experiences of maternal and child outcomes from the onset of pregnancy until discharge from developmental pediatrics care. In addition, the network services in the division serve as a repository for multiple hospital, local, state, and national datasets, such as the MUSC hospital data system (KEANE), ancillary MUSC data systems (SMS, Oversite, Practice Partner), SC vital records and SC hospital discharge records, and US vital records, outpatient, inpatient and emergency room data. The objective is to provide the quality data needed to support physicians, researchers, students and administrators in endeavors surrounding health care status and program evaluation. The quantitative and qualitative collection, analysis, and use of data are critical for effective problem-solving and evaluation of outcomes and effectiveness in health care.