Applying FAIR Principles to Improve Data Searchability of Emergency Department Datasets: A Case Study for HCUP-SEDD

Abstract

Abstract Background There is a recognized need to improve how scholarly data are managed and accessed. The scientific community has proposed the findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data principles to address this issue. Objective The objective of this case study was to develop a system for improving the FAIRness of Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's State Emergency Department Databases (HCUP's SEDD) within the context of data catalog availability. Methods A search tool, EDCat (Emergency Department Catalog), was designed to improve the “FAIRness” of electronic health databases and tested on datasets from HCUP-SEDD. ElasticSearch was used as a database for EDCat's search engine. Datasets were curated and defined. Searchable data dictionary-related elements and unified medical language system (UMLS) concepts were included in the curated metadata. Functionality to standardize search terms using UMLS concepts was added to the user interface. Results The EDCat system improved the overall FAIRness of HCUP-SEDD by improving the findability of individual datasets and increasing the efficacy of searches for specific data elements and data types. Discussion The databases considered for this case study were limited in number as few data distributors make the data dictionaries of datasets available. The publication of data dictionaries should be encouraged through the FAIR principles, and further efforts should be made to improve the specificity and measurability of the FAIR principles. Conclusion In this case study, the distribution of datasets from HCUP-SEDD was made more FAIR through the development of a search tool, EDCat. EDCat will be evaluated and developed further to include datasets from other sources.