Lifebit certified for data transformation by EHDEN

October 26, 2021

4 min read

What is the European Health Data and Evidence Network?

EHDEN was established in response to the volume of real-world health data available in Europe today and the associated challenges this brings with respect to policy, regulatory and technology considerations. EHDEN is standardising how large-scale clinical data can be tapped into by patients, clinicians, payers, regulators, governments, and the pharmaceutical industry to advance disease understanding and treatments, including facilitating data transformation. This focus on data transformation is crucial in enhancing the quality and usability of health data.

As part of achieving this mission, EHDEN is establishing a large-scale, federated and standardised ecosystem of data sources. This network of institutions aims to generate, harmonize and analyse clinical data and will include researchers from academia and industry, as well as EHDEN-certified SMEs, to enhance the process of data transformation. Through these collaborations, the impact of data transformation will be felt across various sectors of healthcare.

Under this network, health data is standardised to the ‘Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership’ (OMOP) common data model. The OMOP common data model is based on the concept of harmonising disparate data sources by transforming them to a common format and using a standard set of vocabularies so they can be analysed using a library of standard analytic pipelines. This method emphasizes the necessity of effective data transformation for achieving reliable and actionable health insights.

Analytics pipelines are standardised too; all studies within the EHDEN network use federated analysis tools, like those developed by the international ‘Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics’ (OHDSI), whereby analysis is taken to where the data resides and only insights are fed back to the researcher, ensuring that patient-level data remains secure in its own data safe haven. This process greatly relies on seamless data transformation, ensuring that data integrity is maintained throughout.

EHDEN’s aims are significant – to harmonise 100 million anonymised health records over five years across multiple hospitals, primary care networks, regional databases, and beyond. This is set to establish a sustainable and more collaborative network in health data research across Europe. Successful data transformation is a key enabler in reaching these ambitious goals.

What does EHDEN certification mean for Lifebit and its clients?

Lifebit has deep experience in developing and running federated analyses across OMOP datasets. We are committed to deploying community best practices when bringing to life precision medicine projects that range from powering the UK Government agency, Genomics England, with its 135,000-strong cohort of cancer, rare disease and COVID-19 patient whole genome data, through to supporting the implementation of Asia’s leading population-scale genome sequencing initiative, the Hong Kong Genome Project. With EHDEN certification, Lifebit is now certified in the standardisation of clinical data to the OMOP common data model, ensuring consistent transformation of data to fully support EHDEN’s mission of harmonising health data for patient benefits. Lifebit’s expertise in data transformation puts us at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

“Federated analytics are part of Lifebit’s DNA, we are thrilled to have EHDEN certification and show our commitment to standardised, federated methods of health data management and research. We are proud to join the EHDEN network, promoting a more collaborative research network across Europe and importantly, prioritising patient-level data security and patient benefits in every health data project we implement.” Dr. Maria Chatzou Dunford, CEO of Lifebit.

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The role of data transformation extends beyond research; it significantly impacts clinical practices, allowing for more personalized approaches to patient care. By ensuring that data is standardized and readily accessible, healthcare providers can make informed decisions based on comprehensive and accurate health information.

Furthermore, as Lifebit partners with healthcare providers across Europe, the implementation of data transformation solutions will facilitate real-time access to standardized data. This capability enhances the decision-making processes in healthcare settings, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and resource optimization.

The EHDEN project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 806968. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA.

Ultimately, the EHDEN initiative exemplifies how effective data transformation can revolutionize healthcare. By establishing a standardized framework for health data, organizations can leverage insights to innovate, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to a healthier society. As the network expands, the potential for significant advancements in research and treatment methodologies will only increase, reinforcing the critical role of data transformation in healthcare.

Moreover, the emerging case studies from the EHDEN network highlight how data transformation enables researchers to identify correlations between treatment protocols and patient outcomes. These findings demonstrate the power of collaborative health data management, where shared insights can lead to better healthcare practices.

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the importance of data transformation cannot be overstated. Organizations like Lifebit and EHDEN are essential in ensuring that health data is utilized effectively to drive innovation and improve patient care. Their efforts will pave the way for a new era of healthcare research that prioritizes data security and patient benefits.