In accordance with an embodiment, a logical interface for mining medical data records comprises a data processor for receiving input of a selection of criteria for a medical records query, a database of medical records, responsive to a query, for outputting patient medical record data responsive to the query, and a plurality of operations including a means of combining a first and second query and a means of providing medical data not meeting the first and second query. The query may utilize a plurality of filters among the following: demographics, vitals, laboratories, ICD codes, CPT codes, prescriptions, alerts, medical history, immunizations and encounters/visits among other filters. In one embodiment, the result of a series of queries may be output to a central database for various purposes including the identification of an outbreak of an epidemic in a geographic region. In reverse, an embodiment may comprise a patient portal for posting personalized patient alerts regarding, for example, medical risks associated with taking a given medication or having received a bad vaccination lot.