Clinical databases and critical care research.

Clinical investigators who seek to exploit electronic databases for clinical research need to be aware of the strengths and limitations of the data stored in these systems. Generic issues are examined that can arise from the use of any electronic database, as well as more specific and unique issues that need to be resolved before a comprehensive medical-record database can be realized. Specific suggestions are provided that can be employed by the critical care director who seeks to exploit the rich clinical data available in electronic form for clinical research.