Abstract: A method for collecting and distributing clinical data for data mining. The method comprises selecting a local report for collection, where the local report is a structured reporting object and includes a local clinical code, patient identification data and report collections status data. The local report is sanitized by removing the patient identification data. The local report collection status is updated to reflect the selecting. The local report is mapped to a common format report and the mapping includes: accessing a knowledge base that includes the local clinical code and a corresponding common format clinical code; and replacing the local clinical code with the corresponding common format code. The common format report is then transmitted to a data mining host system that includes a data repository.