The MIMIC (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care) databases are large, freely accessible databases containing detailed, de-identified health information about patients who stay in critical care units of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The databases are widely used for research in various aspects of critical care and biomedical informatics.

MIMIC-III MIMIC-III, the third version of the database, includes data from 2001 through 2012. It encompasses information such as demographics, vital signs, laboratory tests, medications, and more for over 40,000 patients. The data are suitable for high-quality epidemiological studies that can influence public health decisions and drive hospital policy.

MIMIC-IV MIMIC-IV, the latest version, extends and enhances the data available in MIMIC-III. It covers additional years up to 2019 and includes updates and improvements in data organization and quality. MIMIC-IV is designed to be easier to use and more intuitive for researchers, facilitating a wider range of studies.

Both databases require users to complete a training course on human research protections and gain approval to access the data, ensuring that all researchers are familiar with the ethical considerations of using patient data. These resources are invaluable for developing predictive models, understanding disease patterns, and improving patient care strategies in critical care environments.