Why Join MaRNet?Family physicians and primary care nurse practitioners can join MaRNet as a sentinel. Sentinels contribute their de-identified electronic medical record (EMR) data to the MaRNet database. In return, sentinels receive a detailed feedback report on non-identifying patient demographics, as well as the number of patients meeting 13 validated case definitions for chronic and mental health conditions. The case definitions use billing codes, prescriptions, diagnoses, and other non-identifying EMR data to identify cohorts of patients who have been diagnosed with a chronic condition and those who have not been diagnosed with a chronic condition but meet the case definition criteria. Sentinels will be able to see their patients’ outcome data in comparison with other Nova Scotian primary care clinics. Sentinels will also be invited to participate in primary care research involving them, their patients, and their clinic.
There is no time commitment or cost to join MaRNet. |
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FAQ
What is a sentinel?
A sentinel is a family physician or primary care nurse practitioner who is a member of MaRNet. What are the benefits of joining MaRNet? Sentinels who join MaRNet receive feedback reports twice per year reporting on patient demographics and the number of patients who meet CPCSSN’s case definitions. CPCSSN has validated 13 case definitions for chronic and mental health conditions. Sentinels are also given the opportunity to participate in research. For example, MaRNet is currently conducting a quality improvement study with the aim of deprescribing potentially inappropriate prescriptions in elderly patients. Who can join? Family physicians and nurse practitioners who use one of the eligible electronic medical record (EMR) systems can join MaRNet. How is data managed? Data are collected from the EMR by the MaRNet data manager. When a new sentinel joins the network, their clinic grants the data manager frontend access to the EMR. The data manager extracts de-identified patient data from the EMR twice a year. All personal identifiers are removed from the information collected. Only the data manager has access to the sentinels’ frontend EMR. All MaRNet staff, researchers, and investigators have signed pledges of confidentiality. Data can only be re-identified at the level of the individual sentinel. |
Where is MaRNet data stored?
De-identified EMR data are stored on a secure central electronic system by CPCSSN at Queen’s University in Ontario. Can patients opt out of the MaRNet database? Yes, when sentinels join MaRNet, they are mailed posters to hang in the waiting room of their clinic, along with patient brochures to give to patients who want more information. If patients do not wish to have their de-deidentified data included in the MaRNet database, they can contact us using the information provided on the poster/brochure to have their data excluded from the database and future EMR extractions. How do I join MaRNet? Contact us for more information or to join the network. Joining MaRNet involves signing a consent form and completing a short survey. |