Use of hospital-based cancer registries to evaluate the quality of cancer care: A survey to the international community of oncologists.

Abstract

e16531 Background: Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) are key tools to plan and monitor the quality of care and outcome of cancer patients. However, data regarding the utility of HBCR in cancer services is limited. This study describes the rate of use of HBCR data and evaluates the relationship of HBCR data use to geographic and logistical factors. Methods: Between May 2008 and April 2009, we conducted an unpaid online survey of oncology professionals, who previously reported to have a HBCR at their centers to determine the ways in which registry data was used. Potential predictors of HBCR uses were continent, type and size of institution, personnel involved in data entry, specialization of registry system, completeness of data, case ascertainment and data standardization. Chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regressions were used for the analysis. Results: A total of 490 of 1,402 (35%) oncologists having a HBCR at their center completed the questionnaire. The reported HBCR uses were transmission of data to population registries (66%), service as a data-source for hospital administration and resource allocation tasks (55%), evaluation of delivered treatments (54%), evaluation of patient outcomes (47%) and assessment of diagnostic procedures (35%) at cancer departments. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of HBCR use to evaluate patient outcomes were the continent (North America 58%, Europe 37%, Asia 26%, South America 28%, p = 0.02), specialization of registry software (78% vs. 33%, p = 0.003), completeness of data fields (p = 0.001) and the entry of data by trained registrants (60% vs. 17%, p = 0.003). Conclusions: The use of HBCR data to evaluate the quality of cancer care and patient outcomes at cancer services is not optimal. Increasing the availability of trained registrants, specialized cancer registry software and maximizing completeness of data, could potentially increase their usefulness as tools to improve cancer care. Additional research is needed to determine reasons for non-use of HBCR data. No significant financial relationships to disclose.