INTRODUCTION: Traditionally data in The Swedish Cancer register, The Patient Register and other health care registers have been characterized by a very high capture rate but a very long time between date of reported event and final report.
However for quality assurance a rapid ascertainment and reporting is crucial.
METHODS: We developed an online report in real time in INCA, a software for Internet Based Cancer Registration, with graphical views, developed in R, exactly identical to those used in the NPCR annual report (www.npcr.se/rapporter).
RESULTS: The user can assess data for his/her own department, and compare with all 21 counties in Sweden, and mean for the nation for procedures and outcomes in real time. These data include waiting times between referral and first consultation, time between biopsy procedure and cancer information (Figure 1), selection of treatment, surgical outcome (positive margins) and many other pertinent aspects of cancer care. Data were made available in October 2013 for clinicians.
DISCUSSION: These online data can be used for quality assurance, quality improvement and bench marking. The real time reporting system increases the need for rapid registration of data in NPCR in order to make optimal use of the system. Figure 1Waiting times in own hospital (red) and all counties (blue) and mean for nation ("riket" yellow)
DECLARATION OF COMPETING INTERESTS: This research was funded by the Swedish Research Council.
Written by:
Stattin P, Sandin F, Ortqvist D, Damber L, Holmberg E, Cederberg H, Lambe M. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden.
Reference: BMJ Qual Saf. 2014 Apr;23(4):349.
doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2014-002893.6
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24639570
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