Defining Roles within the Cancer Registry Donna M. Gress, RHIT, CTR Learning Objectives Differentiate program standards from registry standards Recognize the role and purpose of the registry Maximize the value of the registry Adapt to new endeavors
CoC Program Standards vs. Registry Standards Responsibility for Standards Critical to identify registrar s standards Distinguish from standards belonging to others Physicians Administration Other professionals: nurses, social workers Defined coordinators
Identify Registrar s Domain Registrar s domain is the data Specifically data items Standards Choosing which data Collecting data Completeness of data Maintaining data Quality of data items Not the use or analysis of data for patient care & outcomes Standard ER5 Registry Policy & Procedure Identify Registrar s Domain Purpose Structure for creating & maintaining data 1.6 Quality Control Plan Assess data to improve quality 1.11 Registry Education Facilitate accurate data 5.1 Registrar Credentials Educated & knowledgeable about data 5.2 RQRS Participation Submit new and updated data 5.3-5.4 Follow-up Obtain subsequent data 5.5 Data Submission Submit complete data 5.6 Data Accuracy Data meets edits criteria 5.7 Special Studies Submit additional data items
Non Registrar Standards Registrar s Role Share information with leadership based on: Workshops Success stories from other programs Provide advice to leadership as appropriate Q&A from CAnswer Forum Past experience Maintain clear boundaries Seek assistance from CLP, registry advisor, Ca Comm Chair Clarify the CoC expects non-registrars to take the lead Supportive role only Non Registrar Standards Registrar s Role Fulfilling data requests When data is required to accomplish other standards Describe available data and limitations Assist in defining data item request Create data reports For others to analyze Answer data questions: collection, accuracy, completeness Analogy of registrar s role Supportive care only not definitive treatment
Role and Value Role of Registry Comply with state/federal law for reportable cases Comply with registry requirements for CoC standards Maintain database for your facility s cancer cases Utilize database to support facility s cancer program Critical role Unique information only registry can provide Proves value of registry
Value of Registry Data offers snapshot of patient care continuum demographics Demographics include Physicians Treatments Services Other facility involvement Losing cases to other facilities Gaining cases from other facilities Value of Registry Vital information no one else can provide Cuts across multiple admissions Not limited to your facility Accounting of entire patient care continuum Tells the patient s true story
Maximize Value Generate Registry Data Reports Physicians Cross tabulate primary care physicians to surgeons Cross tabulate surgeons to medical & radiation oncologists Identify those not on staff at your facility Cases referred to and referred from Disease sites affected Types of treatment surgery, radiation, systemic Treatment and services Disease sites by surgery, radiation, systemic, combinations Usage of services in user fields (navigation, nutrition, etc)
Provide Meaningful Data to Administration Physicians Look at referral patterns to other physicians Referrals to outside facilities or physicians Cases referred to and referred from Look at totals and patterns of sites, stages, etc Services/treatments your facility can or cannot provide Treatment and services Numbers and types Not appropriateness Adapt to New Endeavors
Measures Review measures with registry staff Communicate rationale Understand importance in patient care Discuss usage to monitor compliance with patient care guidelines Physician input as needed for understanding Ensure data completeness and quality Enter information in timely manner Make full use of the system Concurrent Abstracting Discuss benefits with cancer program leadership Timely information for physicians to assess patient care Timely information for administration to assess facility resources Make plan to implement Does not require additional staff Same work done at different times Resources Journal of Registry Management articles Lectures at past NCRA Annual Educational Conferences
Open Forum Topics Group Discussion Registry standards Role and purpose of registry Maximize value of registry New endeavors Discussion points What are some best practices? What are the challenges? What are steps you may take in the next 6 months?
Thank you Donna M. Gress, RHIT, CTR AJCC Technical Specialist dgress@facs.org