Simulated yields of prospective specimen collection from specific patient cohorts using retrospective data from a research patient data repository.

: Biospecimens obtained during the process of care may be a potential resource for bioinformatics research requiring specimens from specific patient populations. In order to estimate the potential yield of collecting specimens obtained during the process of care, we used a research patient data registry to define specific patient cohorts, and then used these cohorts to screen for chemistry and hematology tests also contained in the registry. We present here our approach and initial results.