Participation

A clinical or laboratory site joins ACCESS to provide data to the national shared aims of surveillance, research and management of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections.

Data extraction

Extracted health record data (e.g., demographics, tests requested, test results and prescriptions) are irreversibly de-identified outside each service and encrypted and securely transmitted to a central database.

Data processing

Data are collated, formatted and checked for error before they are massaged into datasets ready for analysis. The data are handled by a small group of nominated researchers who are expert in handling health information.

Data reporting

Reports are generated for key stakeholders including federal and state governments, as well as the sites themselves. All reporting is done in an aggregated format to further protect the confidentiality of patients and participating sites.

Collaboration

Wherever possible, representatives from community organisations and priority populations are consulted with on the design, analysis and authorship of research. ACCESS welcomes collaboration on research projects.