[Bruce Riddle]

Like many registries, we use SAS to pre-process all the incoming transmissions before loading them into a registry database. I need to separate RAPID reports from DEFINITIVE reports (they arrive mixed), clean up dates that are
incorrect (MMDDYY, YYMMDD, YYDDMM,etc.), standardize hospital numbers (some reporters are required to send us
blank hospital numbers), etc. So currently I read in all the variables, process, and write out all the variables. I’ve tried to figure out a way to do this with an XML and come up empty so far. And as part of the process, I generate management reports that make registry processing of cases easier. Converting each transmission (sometimes as few as 2 cases) to a flat file from XML, process, and then back to XML could be very labor intensive.

My trails with the SAS Mapper have not been successful so far; SAS says my files are too large and I’ve only used 8,000 cases.

I have also discovered, as many have said, that XML files are very large. I worry, given the charges for disk space and rapidly shrinking financial resources, if we can afford XML. Those of us without a programming staff will need some very robust tools to make this all work.

B

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