Improving patient data quality by integrating oncology practice and state cancer registry tumor staging information: Feasibility and future value
Journal Title: Journal of Cancer Research & Therapy - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 10
Abstract
Background: The transition in oncology to electronic charting offers the potential to improve the quality of patient care and value of observational research. Data fields that are more complete, have common standards, and are searchable are critical to help meet these goals. As a key data field, and proof-of-concept we studied the additional gain in recorded stage and agreement in cancer staging by adding ‘missing’ stage information into an oncology practice’s electronic medical records (EMR) from a state cancer registry. Methods: In this observational study, patient records were matched and compared between a practice-based (EMR) database (Georgia Cancer Specialists [GCS]) and a state cancer registry (Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry [GCCR]). Impact on recorded cancer stage following a merge of the EMR and registry data was assessed. Eligible patients had ≥1 visit to any GCS practice site during the study period (1/1/2005-12/31/2008) and a diagnosis of a primary, malignant solid neoplasm (except brain or spine). Results: The final sample included 38,248 patients from GCS files, with 13,486 matched to patients with a solid malignant tumor in the GCCR files. There were 3,424 (25%) patients without staging information prior to GCCR integration, which was reduced to 12% after GCCR integration - a relative gain of 52%. Differences between initial GCS stage and initial GCCR stage occurred in 45% of the sample, and varied by cancer type. Conclusions: Adding information from external data sources can help create more complete patient records. The concept is feasible and has the potential to improve data quality. Patient data collected in different systems for different reasons will often be discordant.
Authors and Affiliations
Hess G, Haislip ST
Keywords
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