2012 VIReC Database an

2012 VIReC Database an

Methods Cyber Seminar Se

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
VIReC Database and Methods Cyber Seminar S

Measuring Laboratory Use a

Results using VA Decision SupResults using VA Decision Sup

System National Extract Da

July 9, 2012

Elizabeth Tarlov, PhD, RN, Associate Directo

VA Information Resource Center

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Session Outline

O i f VA DSS ti l l Overview of VA DSS national laFinding information in VA DSS 

national lab data 

Measurement of laboratory use Measurement of laboratory use results in VA studies Examples of VA studies that haExamples of VA studies that haused VA DSS national lab data Where tt o go ff or moreh help 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Audience Poll

Are you currently conducting resthat is using DSS LAB and/or LAN ti l D t E t t (NDE)? National Data Extracts (NDE)? 

– Yes– No

Have you used lab data in CDW (than DSS)? 

– Yes– No

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Session Outline

O i f VA DSS ti l l Overview of VA DSS national laFinding information in VA DSS 

national lab data 

Measurement of laboratory use Measurement of laboratory use results in VA studies Examples of VA studies that haExamples of VA studies that haused VA DSS national lab data Where tt o go ff or moreh help 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
DSS Overview

What is DSS? What is DSS? – VA’s managerial cost accounting and 

executive information system executive information system 

What is its primary purpose? – To provide managerially-useful infor

(e.g., productivity measures, costs 

of work quality assessment) to of work, quality assessment) to 

• Managers • Undersecretary for Health Undersecretary for Health • Secretary • Congress 

RESEARCHERS’ GU RESEARCHERS IDE TO VA DATA ’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
DSS Overview

Health Care Production ProcHealth Care Production Proc

Raw Intermediate 

Materials: 

Labor 

Products: 

Labs 

P

Pa

(E 

Supplies 

Equipment 

X-Rays 

Nursing hours 

(E

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
y NPCD

DSS Source Data

Financial Systems 

• Payroll • Building Depreciation 

Workload 

• VistA Packages 

• Laboratory 

Pa

• VistA • NPCD • Building Depreciation 

• etc. • Pharmacy 

• Nursing • etc. 

• PTF • etc. 

DSS Processes 

DSS 

Data 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
DSS National Data Extrac

(NDE)

Financial Systems Workload Patient 

DSS Processes 

DSS 

Data 

PHA 

DIS LA

OUT 

PHA 

RAI 

National Data 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
National Data Extracts (ND

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 

Clinical NDEs 

LAB 

– Workload and costs – Test-level records 

LAR 

– Laboratory results for a def

Laboratory results for a defof tests (currently, 89) 

– Test-level records 

PHA RAD ECS/ECQ 
National Data Extracts (ND

Other NDE Classific

“Core” Extracts 

– Inpatient an

d 

outpatient encountlevel data 

Program Activity 

– e.g., No-Show, RA

Financial 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
DSS NDEs

Schedule: Monthly or quarterlCumulative year-to-date Lab data from 2000 (LAR)or 2(LAB) 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
–

DSS NDE Data Formats

Reports, Data Cubes – VISN Support Services Center (VSSSAS Datasets – Austin Information Technology Cent

Austin Information Technology Cent(AITC) mainframe computer 

– To be discontinued 9/30/12 

SQL tables – Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
–

DSS NDE Data Formats

No lab data here Reports, Data Cubes 

– VISN Support Services Center (VSSSAS Datasets – Austin Information Technology Cent

Austin Information Technology Cent(AITC) mainframe computer 

– To be discontinued 9/30/12 

SQL tables – Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
LAB & LAR NDE SAS Files (Main

FY 2004 forward 

– One file contains One file contains data for 

•

1 N DE, 

• 1 VISN, in • 1 fiscal year • inpatient an

d outpatient services 

– = 21 files for LAB, 21 files for LAR, 

fi l sca year 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
LAB & LAR NDE SAS Files (Mainfr

File Naming Convention

*

RMTPRD.MED.DSS.SAS.FYxx.VISNyy.nde

For example, For example, 

• RMTPRD.MED.DSS.SAS.FY09.VISN

01

• Contains FY 2009 inpatient and Contains FY 2009 inpatient and 

outpatient data from facilities in V

* Naming for FY2000 – FY2003 reflects different file organization – s

website. 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
LAB & LAR NDE SAS Files (Main

FY 2000 

(LAR)– FY 2003 

– One file contains One file contains data for 

• 1 NDE, 

• 1 year of inpatient or outpatient service

• in 4 

-

6 VISNs 

– = 8 files for LAB, 8 files for LAR, eac

year 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
LAB & LAR NDE Data at CD

SQL Tables

– FY 2005 forward 

One t

t

abl

 ff

e f

f

– bl or each NDE N cont i a ns

– inpatient and outpatient data –

for all VISNs 

– and all available years 

– New format, same data 

– Some variable names slightly differe

SAS names 

– Same update schedule 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Session Outline

O i f VA DSS ti l l Overview of VA DSS national laFinding information in VA DSS 

national lab data 

Measurement of laboratory use Measurement of laboratory use results in VA studies Example of VA studies that havExample of VA studies that havVA DSS national lab data Where tt o go ff or moreh help 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
What information can I find in 

LAB and LAR NDEs? LAB and LAR NDEs? 

LAB 

Tests performed 

– One record for each 

completed billable test completed billable test 

– Includes those performed 

at point-of-care and some 

research records research records 

– Identifies where and when 

performed 

Costs and other information pertinent to accountin

g 

Patient information 

LAR

Test results 

– Patient-specifi

76 tests 76 tests 

– For those 76, 

entered into V

in LAB) in LAB) 

Patient informa

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
What information can I find in 

What information can I find in 

LAB and LAR NDEs? LAB and LAR NDEs? 

LAB 

Tests performed 

– One record for each 

completed billable test completed billable test 

– Includes those performed 

at point-of-care and some 

research records research records 

– Where and when 

performed 

Costs and other information pertinent to accountin

g 

Patient information 

LAR

Test results 

– Patient-specifi

91 t t es

ts 

– Extraction pro

records for tho

only from Visonly, from VisLaboratory pa

Patient informaPatient informa

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
in the 

LAB and LAR NDEs LAB and LAR NDEs 

Diagnoses, procedures, and other clinical information Gender, race/ethnicity Tests that are not patient-specific specific 

– e.g., tests done as lab controls or other 

standardization procedures 

Research records, unless considered VA patient and an encounter is 

generated in VistA PCE file 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
LAB LAR

Selected Key Variables

LAB LAR 

Test identifier Test identifier identifier 

Where performed Result 

Referral flag Units reported 

Clinic Stop Code Dates 

Dates 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Test Identifiers:

How do I find records containing the 

interested in?

VA_LMIP: Laboratory ManagemenProgram Program – National list (aka NLT code) – Entered by lab staff Entered by lab staff – Assigned locally– Not standardized

FEED KEY FEED

_

KEY 

– 5-digit character variable

U ll LMIP d

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA

– Usually an LMIP code 
–

–

Test Identifiers

IPNUM: Intermediate Product Number – Assigned by DSS based on LMIP Assigned by DSS based on LMIP – One IPNUM may be assigned to >1 LMTESTNAME – DSS-derived IP description – Free-form text field – File maintained by individual site teams File maintained by individual site teams – Name assigned to same test can vary 

RESEARCHERS’ GU RESEARCHERS IDE TO VA DATA ’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 

across stations across stations 
Test Identifiers

VA LMIP VA

_

LMIP 

FEED_KEY 

IPNUM 

TESTNAME

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Test Identifiers

DSSLARNO – Result ID Result ID 

– Assigned by DSS, 1 – 89 – List of available tests on VIReC and 

websites (at end) 

Logical Observation Identifier Nand Codes (LOINC) and Codes (LOINC) 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
LOINC Codes

http://www loinc org http://www.loinc.org 

Universal identifier Highly specific - Identifies test, metanalysis specimen source analysis, specimen source Lab results records pulled based on Implemented nationwide for FY 200Should result in better match betweShould result in better match betweLAB and LAR records than previous method (based on test names)Currently, VistA LOINC file contains 

RESEARCHERS’ GU RESEARCHERS IDE TO VA DATA ’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 

version of LOINC code set version of LOINC code set 
FY11 LAR TESTS

(abridged)

LAR 

Test # 

DSS Test Name Reporting Units 

0001 Hemoglobin G/DL 0002 Potassium (Serum) MEQ/L or MMOL/L 0003 Sodium (Serum) MEQ/L or MMOL/L 0004 Lithium (Serum) MMOL/L 0005 BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) MG/DL 0006 WBC (Total WBC Count) K/UL or K/MM3 0007 Digoxin NG/ML 0008 Theophylline UG/ML 0009 AST (Aspartate Transferase) U/L 0010 Glucose (Serum) MG/DL 0011 Creatinine Clearance ML/MIN 0013 GGTP (Gamma GT) IU/L 0014 Dilantin (Phenytoin) Dilantin (Phenytoin) MCG/ML 0015 Valproic Acid MCG/ML 0016 Carbamazepine (Tegretol) MCG/ML 0017 Hemoglobin A1C (Glycohemoglobin) % 0018 Alpha 1 Antitrypsin MG/DL 0019 PSA (Prostatic Specific AG) PSA (Prostatic Specific AG) NG/ML 0020 CD-4 (Absolute T Cell Count) CELLS/CMM, 

CELLS/MM3, CELLS/UL 

0021 Prothrombin Time SEC 0022 Total Thyroxine (T-4) MCG/DL 0023 Total Triiodothyronine (T-3) NG/DL 0024 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) MCU/ML 0025 Folic Acid/Folate NG/ML 0026 Vitamin B12 Level PG/ML 

... ... ... 

0087 Hepatitis B Virus DNA NEG-POS or NON-REACTIVE-REACTIVE 0088 Hepatitis C Genotype text 0089 Hepatitis C (RIBA) NEG-POS or NON-REACTIVE-REACTIVE 

LOINC 

Code 

718-7 

2823-3 

2951-2, 29

14334-7 

3094-0 

26464-8,66

804-5 

10535-3 

4049-3 

1920-8, 302

2345-7, 15

2164-2 

2324-2 

3968-5 

4086-5 

3432-2 

17855-8, 178

4548-4, 45

1825-9 

2857 -1 

8127-3, 244

5902-2, 59

3026-2 

3053-6 

11579-0, 11

3016-3 

2284-8 

2132-9 

... 

5007-0, 13126-8

2 29610 2, 29610

32286-7, 48

24011-9, 334

34162-8, 51

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
How do I find test results

RESULT – 

Test Result 

– Result of the test identified b

y DSSL

– Valid values -10000 to 10000 – Up to 4 decimal digits Up to 4 decimal digits – Some results are text/non-numeric 

TESTUNIT – Units in hich the test 

Units in 

which the test 

reported 

DSSLARNO RESULT + TESTUNIT = 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Example: Total Thyroxine (

DSSLARNO = 0022 RESULT = 4.2 TESTUNIT = mcg/dl 

DSSLARNO 0022 

4.2 + mcg/dl= 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
t

What about Non-numeric Res

For example: HIV Antibody 

Translation Translation 

Value Ttes R l esut 

0 Negative, Non-Reactive 1 Positive, Reactive 2 Borderline, Indeterminate 3 Test not performed, Quantity not sufficient or other reason 5 Result cannot be translated translated 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Should I find a one-to-one corresp

between LAB and LAR record

Not for 

– Tests whose values are calculated from 

test values (e.g., creatinine clearance)

• Only the tests from which the calculated 

are derived (i.e., serum creatinine), are are derived (i.e., serum creatinine), are and have an associated record in the LA

– “Send outs”: Two records 

generated 

1) In-house labor cost of specimen col

preparation and shipping 

2) Cost of performing the test (or cost 

Cost of performing the test (or cost by non-VA source) 

• REF_FLG = “Y”, if sent to another VA sou

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Session Outline

O i f VA DSS ti l l Overview of VA DSS national laFinding information in VA DSS 

National Lab data 

Measurement of laboratory use Measurement of laboratory use results in VA studies Example of VA studies that havExample of VA studies that havVA DSS national lab data Where tt o go ff or moreh help 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Case Scenario

Diabetes Quality of Care: Hgb A1c Freq

Question: We’re conducting a retrospective cohort study quality among patients with diabetes. W e’d lmeasure frequency of Hemoglobin A1c testing measure frequency of Hemoglobin A1c testing our cohort in FY 2010. Should we use the LAR obtain this information? 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Case Scenario

Diabetes Quality of Care: Hgb A1c Freq

Answer: Answer: No!LAB NDE is the best source of information foLAB NDE is the best source of information folab.”

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Case Scenario

Diabetes Quality of Care: Hgb A1c Freq

Goal: Measure frequency of Hemoglobin A1c testing amcohort in FY 2010. Procedure: Use the LAB file. 

1. Obtain feeder key(s) or IPNUM for Hgb A1c te

• DSS Intermediate Products table (URL at e• Search on name (“Description” ld) fie and 

 a 

e.g., Glycohemoglobin, Glycosylated Hem

Glycated Hemoglobin, Hb A1c Glycated Hemoglobin, Hb A1c 

• Can double check by searching on IP num

found. 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Case Scenario

Diabetes Quality of Care: Hgb A1c Freq

DSS Intermediate Product Table

FdrSy s IP Num FdrKey 

CPT/HCPC/ LMIP/ECS Natl Code Descrip tion

ASC 22273 83036 CPT GLYCOSYLATED HEMOGLOB

ASC 77318 83037 CPT GLYCOSYLATED HB, HOME D

LAB 1148 85027 LMIP Glycosylated HGB, total 

LAB 1149 85051 LMIP Glycohemogl...t Fraction LAB 1150 85052 LMIP GLYCOHEMOGLOBIN A(1) C 

LAB 68820 82890 LMIP GLYCOHEMOGLOBIN A1C PO

LAB 81947 82117 LMIP GLYCOHEMOGLOBIN HBA 1C 

LAB 91238 85053 LMIP GLYCOHEMOGLOBIN HBA 1C 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Case Scenario

Diabetes Quality of Care: Hgb A1c Fre

Procedure (cont’d):

2. In LAB NDE: Identify study patients’ records 

SCRSSN, and 

3. Keep only FY 2010 records: 

• Several date variables 

• SVC (service date) SVC_DTE (service date)• YYYYMMDD • Default = Year and month that VistA extra

performed, concatenated with ‘01’ for day 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Case Scenario #1

Diabetes Quality of Care: Hgb A1c Freq

Procedure (cont’d):

4. Pullrecords with Feed

_

Key = values identified 

ith F K d 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Case Scenario #1

Diabetes Quality of Care: Hgb A1c Freq

Procedure (cont’d):

5. Wait! Eliminate ‘duplicates’ resulting from send

referral labs. 

• Drop if REF_FLG (referral flag) = ‘Y’ 

Yield: All study cohort records for Hemoglobin A1

performed in FY 2010 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Measurement Issues 

Take Home Messages

DSS Lab Data: Fabulous resourccomplex database Careful examination is warranteClinical advice is critical 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Session Outline

O i f VA DSS ti l l Overview of VA DSS national laFinding information in VA DSS 

national lab data 

Measurement of laboratory use Measurement of laboratory use results in VA studies Example of VA studies using VA Example of VA studies using VA national lab data Where tt o go ff or moreh help 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
How have laboratory use and resul

measured in VA studies?

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 

Tarlov, et al., 20Trends in anemia in lung and colon patients in the US of Veterans AffairsSupportive Care in 
How have laboratory use and result

measured in VA studies?

IIR 08

-354

-1: Clinical Guidelines for E

1: Clinical Guidelines for E

in Cancer (D. Hynes, PI) 

Retrospective cohort study of VA patients diagnosed with cancer Evaluation of prescribing behavior change FDA imposition of “black-box” warning on erythropoiesis

-stimulating agents (ESAs) stimulating agents (ESAs) 

Identified cohort using VA Cancer Registry 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
 t

How have laboratory use and result

measured in VA studies?

Tl l ar ov, et al., Trendi i sn anemia manag

Lung and colon cancer patients Lung and colon cancer patients Outcome measure: ESA use within 12 monafter diagnosis after diagnosis Hemoglobin (Hb) as covariate 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
How have laboratory use and result

measured in VA studies? measured in VA studies? 

Tarlov, et al. Tarlov, et al. 

Measurement objective: lowest Hb in the fmonths after diagnosis months after diagnosis LAR NDE data, FY 2002-FY2009 Mean of 2 lowest Hb values during study p

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
How have laboratory use and result

measured in VA studies? measured in VA studies? 

Tarlov, et al. Tarlov, et al. 

Measurement issues: 

1. Needed 

>2 values 

• Patients sometimes obtain lab services outs• Missing VA lab data? Missing VA lab data? 

2. Out-of-range values (Hb <4.0 or >20.0 m

• Lab error or data entry/processingerror? y/p 

3. Potential for spurious values 4. Switch to LOINC in FY2009 

• Discontinuity in data collection method 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
How have laboratory use and result

measured in VA studies? measured in VA studies? 

Tarlov, et al. Tarlov, et al. 

Measurement issues: 

1. Needed 

>2 values 

• Patients sometimes obtain lab services outs• Missing VA lab data? Missing VA lab data? 

2. Out-of-range values (Hb <4.0 or >20.0 m

• Lab error or data entry/processingerror? y/p 

3. Potential for spurious values 4. Switch to LOINC in FY2009 

• Discontinuity in data collection method 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
How have laboratory use and result

measured in VA studies? measured in VA studies? 

Tarlov, et al. Tarlov, et al. 

Measurement issues: 

1. Needed 

>2 values 

• Patients sometimes obtain lab services outs• Missing VA lab data? Missing VA lab data? 

2. Out-of-range values (Hb <4.0 or >20.0 m

• Lab error or data entry/processingerror? y/p 

3. Potential for spurious values 4. Switch to LOINC in FY2009 

• Discontinuity in data collection method 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
How have laboratory use and result

measured in VA studies? measured in VA studies? 

Tarlov, et al. Tarlov, et al. 

Measurement issues: 

1. Needed 

>2 values 

• Patients sometimes obtain lab services outs• Missing VA lab data? Missing VA lab data? 

2. Out-of-range values (Hb <4.0 or >20.0 m

• Lab error or data entry/processingerror? y/p 

3. Potential for spurious values 4. Switch to LOINC in FY2009 

• Discontinuity in data collection method 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Session Outline

O i f VA DSS ti l l Overview of VA DSS national laFinding information in VA DSS 

national lab data 

Measurement of laboratory use Measurement of laboratory use results in VA studies Examples of VA studies that haExamples of VA studies that haused VA DSS national lab data Where tt o go ff or moreh help 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
VIReC Internet Website

DSS Research User Guide 

– http://www.virec.research.va.gov/RUGs

I d ht In

dex.htm 

Data Transition to the Corporate DaW h are

house 

– http://www.virec.research.va.gov/CDW

Transition htm Transition.htm 

VHA Corporate Data Warehouse (C

– h // ittp://www.virec.research /CDW

h.va.gov/CDW

w.htm#CDW_Guide 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
–

VIReC Help

HSRData Listserv 

– Join at the VIReC website – Discussion among >650 data stewa

managers, and users 

– Past messages in archive (on intran

Past messages in archive (on intran

– June 2012 messages include “Using 

NDEs stored on the CDW” NDEs stored on the CDW 

VIReC Help Desk 

– VIR C ff VIReC s ti 

t

taff willanswer your questio

direct you to available resources on 

RESEARCHERS’ GU RESEARCHERS IDE TO VA DATA ’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 

– VIReC@va gov VIReC@va.gov; 708-202-2413 
VA Intranet Websites

Decision Support Office 

– Intranet only Intranet only 

• (URL on VIReC Intranet Website; click on 

Sources” in left navigation pane, scroll d

“DSS”) 

– Multiple resources including 

• NDE Technical Guide NDE Layout Specif

NDE Technical Guide, NDE Layout Specif

• Left navigation pane: National Reporting 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
VA Intranet Websites

CDW SharePoint Site CDW SharePoint Site 

– Send va.gov email to VIReC@va.gov 

URL 

VINCI Sh P i t Sit VINCI Share

P

oint Site 

– Send va.gov email to VIReC@va.gov 

URL 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
Questions?

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA 
,

–

Upcoming Seminar

August 6, 2012 

– 

“Improving Mortality Ascertainment 

Improving Mortality Ascertainment 

VHA Vital Status File” 

– Elizabeth Tarlov, PhD, RN Elizabeth Tarlov, PhD, RN 

RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA RESEARCHERS’ GUIDE TO VA DATA