Data management issues in an AIDS research environment

Data management issues in an AIDS environment, where clinical laboratory and research data constantly interact to yield diagnostic and prognostic remits, are dependent on a number of critical issues. These issues can be categorized into several macro and micro issues. Some of the macro issues can be related to LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), database management, biomedical instrumentation support, biomedical computing support tools and so on. Many of the micro issues are hidden beneath an intricate network of clinical and laboratory tests. Algorithms and statistical procedures are necessary to monitor patient progress, because of the complexities associated with the disease´s progression and the time required for HIV infection to go from HIV positive and the variability in time to convert to full-blown AIDS. These micro issues are often dynamic and evolve as the disease progresses over time. Biomedical computing support for AIDS management requires an integrated functioning of these micro and macro issues through efficient design. This paper describes the integrated functioning of decision support mechanisms with clinical and laboratory related data management, in support of AIDS clinical management. This state-of-the-art biomedical computing infrastructure at NJIMS/DAIID (New Jersey Medical School/Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases), interacts with a number of local and distributed AIDS related clinical/research sites