High-quality data for researchers

Auria Health Data Services provides researchers with high-quality patient data and scientific support as part of the research, education and innovation services of the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland (Varha). Local clinical experts ensure the quality of the data and its correct interpretation. Our services covers both academic research and industry-sponsored scientific projects. In addition, we provide Auria's secure processing environment (SPE), Auria's Atoll, which enables the safe use of data in research.

For register-based research, a data permit is always required. Once the permit has been granted, the applicant can submit a data extraction request for specialised healthcare and primary care patient records as well as social welfare client data. If statistical data are needed, a data request must be submitted. A data request provides aggregated statistical information derived from personal data for purposes defined under the Act on the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data. Both data permits and data requests fall under this Act. At Varha, permits (including data requests) are processed by the Research Services Office.

Our purpose

The fundamental objective of publicly funded healthcare is to provide the best possible care efficiently. This goal is supported by high-quality research data that informs clinical decision-making, management and resource allocation. In practice, data are utilized in two ways: primary use involves the original healthcare and social care service purposes for which they were collected. In secondary use, health and social care data are utilised for new purposes such as management, planning, statistics or research.

Auria Health Data Services supports research, education and other secondary use needs by utilising both local and national patient registry data. We also participate in the international harmonisation of health data (OMOP).

Finland's long history of collecting structured patient data makes it an attractive environment for health and wellbeing research. Finnish legislation ensures the secure use of data for these purposes.

Our mission

We provide a high-quality environment for research combining robust datasets, medical expertise, modern statistical methods and digital research technologies. Our core mission is to support data-driven research, enable data-based management and ensure the secure use of patient data. We also offer analyses services based on real-world data (RWD) and support data visualisation in a statistically reliable and intuitive manner, for example in monitoring treatment effectiveness and quality. We are involved in a wide range of development initiatives related to health data, including internal system development projects within the wellbeing services county and EU-funded projects.

Patient data are stored in electronic registers and are always processed in accordance with legislation and EU data protection requirements. Data may only be accessed by personnel involved in patient care, and disclosure to third parties requires patient consent or another legal basis. Our operations are based on safeguarding patient privacy and ensuring transparency in research. The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) defines how personal data can be processed in the EU.

Patient data form a valuable source of information with significant benefits for research and the development of care. Auria Health Data Services enables the secure secondary use of this data. Our operations are based on legislation, transparency and respect for patient privacy. Data help improve the quality and monitoring of care, evaluate treatment effectiveness, assess best practices and analyse the prevalence of adverse events. Reliable data also support the development of predictive models that help identify high-risk patients earlier and guide care more effectively.