PANDA

PANDA is PHSA’s Platform for Analytics and Data.

​​​​​​​​​PANDA is a centralized, scalable and governed data analytics platform for secure and appropriate use of data across the PHSA and BC's regional health authorities. Operated and maintained by the Data, Analytics, Reporting and Evaluation (DARE) team at PHSA, PANDA provides open, responsible data access to support clinical, operational, and research activities and outcomes for BC provincial programs. 

What datasets are available through PANDA?​

PANDA hosts over 100 diverse, real-time, linkable datasets from multiple sources within PHSA and external to PHSA. 

These datasets span:
  • clinical information systems
  • clinical registries
  • population statistics
  • diagnostic services
  • public health
  • health administrative data
Data ownership remains with the original source and does not transfer when data is made available through PANDA.


How is data accessed and governed?

PANDA data and access are governed according to PHSA’s central data governance framework which drives how data is managed, shared and used across the organization and with external parties. Datasets are made available to PHSA programs and their health authority partners through approved datamarts via submission and approval of a data access request.

Approved datamart users affiliated with PHSA programs can access data hosted in PANDA through the PANDA Analytic WorkSpace (PAWS), a secure Virtual Desktop pre-installed with a range of tools to facilitate analytics and creation of reports and dashboards. 

Users must complete orientation and privacy/security courses and agree to the PANDA Terms of Use (health authority network ID required) prior to gaining access. The PANDA Terms of Use aims to ensure data access and use complies with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and other applicable laws.

Who can access PANDA and where can I learn more?

​Staff at PHSA and BC regional health authorities who are interested in requesting a non-Research datamart or learning more about the platform are encouraged to visit the PANDA Sharepoint Portal (health authority network ID required).  Currently, a project must be sponsored by a PHSA program to use PANDA. 

While PANDA does support Research requests, there is ongoing work to further develop, operationalize and support this type of request. Research requests will be carefully processed to align with current operational capacity and support resources.
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This paper describes the creation of the BC COVID-19 Data Library (BCCDL), which evolved into the PANDA platform. The BCCDL surveillance and monitoring platform was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve access to linkable population-based datasets and support public health planning. 

Please reach out to the PANDA Team at panda@phsa.ca to learn more.​​