In accordance with an embodiment, a remote logical interface for mining
medical data records comprises a data processor for receiving input of a
selection of criteria for a medical records query, a database of medical
records, responsive to a query, for outputting patient medical record
data responsive to the query, and a plurality of operations including a
means of combining a first and second query and a means of providing
medical data not meeting the first and second query. Such remote logical
interfaces may be actuated from a centralized location via an authorized
user access portal. The electronic medical records query may utilize a
plurality of filters among the following: demographics, vitals,
laboratories, ICD codes, CPT codes, prescriptions, alerts, medical
history, immunizations and encounters/visits among other filters. In one
embodiment, the result of a series of queries may be output to the
centralized location of a central database for various purposes including
the identification of an outbreak of an epidemic in a geographic region.
In reverse, a remote logical interface embodiment may comprise a patient
portal for posting personalized patient alerts regarding, for example,
medical risks associated with taking a given medication or having
received a bad vaccination lot.