What database does DataFax use?
As a CRF image management system, DataFax utilizes a proprietary database that maintains a relationship between a data record and its associated data image. The basic relationship in DataFax links every received fax image (from a paper CRF in the field) to a data record. Every data record includes four key fields to uniquely identify the record: study number, form number, visit number, and participant ID. In addition, a unique raster ID, based on the temporal sequence of the receipt of the fax, is stored as part of the data record. This forms the link to the actual fax image stored electronically on disk.Data records are stored in a data directory as part of the study directory hierarchy. Data records are internally structured as “.dat” files, representing the data, and “.idx” files, which represent index files for rapid retrieval of data records. Images are also stored on disk in a separate pages directory.Paper CRFs may be faxed more than once from the clinic sites. This is an expect
