This section provides detailed information about the technical aspects of Sentinel’s routine querying tools. For a less technical overview, please see Active Risk Identification and Analysis (ARIA).
Sentinel’s routine querying tools include modular programs, summary tables, and software toolkits. The latest versions of these tools are posted on the Sentinel website. For information concerning older versions of the tools, contact the Sentinel Operations Center.
Modular programs are grouped into three levels: Level 1 modular program queries identify cohorts of interest and, for some cohorts, can perform unadjusted and minimally adjusted (i.e., by Data Partner, age group, sex, and year) analyses. Level 2 modular program queries identify cohorts of interest, perform more complex adjustment for confounding, and generate effect estimates and confidence intervals. Level 3 modular program queries identify cohorts of interest and perform more complex adjustment for confounding repeatedly as part of prospective sequential analysis. The below tables provide a description of the cohort identification strategies available within each modular program level along with a link to specific information on the querying tool used to conduct an analysis using that strategy.
Summary Table Queries are very simple queries on counts, prevalence, and incidence of drug products, diagnosis codes, and procedure codes stratified by year, sex, age group, and where appropriate, setting of care.