CRNnet PopMedNet Experience 7/27/2015 David Tabano Institute for Health Research Kaiser Permanente Colorado

Objectives Overview of CRNnet functionality What we’ve done Where we’re headed 2

Goal of CRNnet Provide network infrastructure to conduct rapid QA, prep-to-research (PTR) analyses across multiple research institutions within the CRN 3

Goal of CRNnet SAS Distribution- Establish quasi-automation of SAS queries through CRN – Enable users to manage CRN queries through PopMedNet (PMN) Datamart Client (DMC) 4

The DMC in CRNnet The DMC is a software application that communicates with CRNnet through a secure IP address – Essentially a secure file transfer software specifically calibrated for PMN networks Data, files are transferred over a secure https connection Requires user credentials Tested by KP IT under the SPAN grant for cross-site scripting, SQL injection, etc, and has since been improved further with additional Microsoft security applications 5

CRNnet Query Volume, Jan-Jul

7 PTR/QA requests, 1/2015 – 7/2015 TypeDescriptorSiteQueriedResponding (Business Days) PTR 1019KPNC PTR 1020KPNC PTR 1025GHC PTR 1028GHC PTR 1029KPNC QA RADIOTHERAPYGHC QA SMOKINGGHC 431 QA TUMOR STAGEGHC PTR CRN Descriptive PaperGHC PTR CRC CRN PosterGHC PTR 1033GHC PTR 1036GHC PTR 1037KPNC 1193 TOTAL

SAS Query Functionality Automated processing of SAS programs submitted through CRNnet AutomateSASbatch.bat – Command File (DOS executable) – Communicates between DMC and programs at local site; drives the entire query SAS WinZip/7Zip (where available) 8

Supporting Files SAS.exe EditSection.sas CRNnet Standard Vars.sas Current Query Folder.sas WinZip.exe – OPTIONAL- WinZip CommandLine, 7Zip can automate compression 9

SAS Distribution Query Processing 10 Local DMC receives query.bat initiates local programs Supporting files (SAS, WinZip, etc.) SAS runs query WinZip compresses, encrypts query DMC identifies output Site programmer manually reviews query results Site programmer uploads results back to CRNnet through DMC

Query through the DMC Pros – More contained, streamlined – More secure – More efficient Cons – Onboarding sites – Learning curve – SAS Distribution requires programs need to be correct on first run 11

CRNnet “Wish List” Summary query functionality underutilized Automated alerts (e.g. screen pop-ups) for notifications of queries More efficient tracking of requests related to the same project; link query “history” IT Support for site-specific issues 12

Websites and References – CRNnet – HMORNnet – SPAN (archived) – Others – Cancer Research Network 13

Contact Info CRN - Technical Lead for SAS Distribution update – David Tabano, KPCO Institute for Health Research Program Lead – Heather Clancy, KPNC Division of Research