171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
800-424-MUSC
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Pediatric Epidemiology and Health Systems Research
The division of pediatric epidemiology conducts population based research on children's health
issues, collaborating with faculty in clinical research, and providing an infrastructure and
shared resources for clinical research, data base management and statistical analysis.
We are committed to improving the health of women and children, to sustaining an academic
environment which encourages teaching and research, and to working collaboratively with other
members of the health care team. We are involved with many departments at MUSC, local community
services, state institutions, and national and international investigations in addressing issues
of maternal and child health care.
Ongoing Projects
The division currently oversees an integrated patient information system which includes:
- The Perinatal Information System (PINS)
- The Pediatric Transport Information System (MEDUCARE)
- The Newborn Developmental High Risk Follow-up Clinic Data System (FOLLOWUP)
The data contained in these systems encompass the events and clinical experiences of maternal and
child outcomes from the onset of pregnancy until discharge from developmental pediatrics care.
Additionally, the network services in the division serve as a repository for multiple hospital, local,
state, and national data sets, such as:
- MUSC hospital data (KEANE)
- Ancillary MUSC data systems (SMS, Oversite, Practice Partner, OACIS)
- South Carolina Vital Records and South Carolina hospital discharge records
- United States vital records, outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room data.
The intent of housing these data sets is to provide the quality data necessary to support physicians,
researchers, students and administrators in endeavors surrounding health care status and program
evaluation. The quantitative and qualitative collection, analysis, and use of data are critical for
effective problem solving and fundamental to the development of an infrastructure dedicated to
solving health care problems. Data analysis is a central component of efforts to identify health
needs, to design appropriate program interventions, to manage and evaluate those interventions,
and to monitor progress toward achieving the goals of MUSC Children's Hospital and its collaborators.
Clinical Research Unit
The division also houses the Clinical Research Unit (CRU). The function of this unit is to provide
resources for clinical research for both the project development phase as well as throughout the
entire project. The CRU is most appropriately used for the following:
- studies designed to obtain preliminary data for a subsequent grant submission
- projects to establish the ability of the research team to conduct an investigation
- short term projects to help define outcomes, develop protocols, or establish data collection techniques
- exploratory projects for hypothesis generation
- student, fellow, or faculty short term projects
The CRU can provide assistance in the following research areas:
- Hypothesis development and measurement of interim and final outcome markers
- Research design (RCT, Cohort, Case Control, Therapeutic, Prevention, etc.)
- Sample size calculations for statistical power
- Sample size estimations to account for patient attrition, loss to follow up, etc.
- Randomization schemes (very simple to stratified, blocked designs)
- Design data collection forms
- Development of computerized data bases
- Entry of abstracted data into computerized data bases
- Management of research data bases for internal quality control
- Statistical design and analysis
- DSMC activities such as interim analysis, stop rule committee, adverse event reporting, etc.
- Web based randomization and enrollment for multi-center trials
- Data Coordinating Center for multi-center trials and FDA monitored trials
- Assistance with IRB submissions
- Compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory requirements
- Grant writing on any of the above
Our office is located on the 2nd floor of Rutledge Tower on the main MUSC campus. For more information about
the division of pediatric epidemiology and our services, please call (843) 792-8449 between normal business hours.
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