Evaluation of Quality Indicators of Evidence-Based Guidelines Using ADT/GEKID Base Dataset and its Organ-Specific Modules

Abstract

According to the Cancer Screening and Registers Act (KFRG, §65c SGB V), clinical cancer registration in Germany has to be based on the consistent set of variables developed by the "Association of German Tumor Centers" (ADT) and "Association of Population-based Cancer Registries in Germany" (GEKID) to improve oncological care. Quality indicators in evidence-based guidelines are measures to assess the quality of treatment and outcome in clinical care. The aim of this study was to find out the extent to which it is possible to determine these quality indicators using the ADT/GEKID's set of variables and the organ-specific modules. After screening all available evidence-based guidelines for inclusion and exclusion criteria to calculate quality indicators, we evaluated for each indicator whether it can be computed using a single variable or a combination of variables of the ADT/GEKID's base variables set and the organ-specific modules. A total of 151 quality indicators were defined in 17 available evidence-based guidelines. Of these, 82 (54%) quality indicators could be determined with the variables of the base dataset. The highest proportion of calculable quality indicators was 100% for pancreatic cancer, which, however, was the only entity where all indicators were calculable. The least proportion of quality indicators was calculable for cancer of the oral cavity (10%). This analysis shows considerable differences in the possibility to evaluate the quality indicators defined in S3-guidelines for different tumor entities based on the variables documented in the clinical cancer registries throughout Germany. The ADT/GEKID core variables set should be extended with additional modules, for instance, for colorectal cancer, to allow a complete documentation of all criteria needed for the determination of clinical quality indicators as suggested in the pertinent evidence-based guidelines.