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Cancer Registry
By Shelly Smits, RHIT, CCS, CTR
The Cancer Registry is a component of the cancer
program designed to collect information and conduct follow-up for reportable
cancer and benign central nervous center tumors diagnosed and/or initially
treated in the county. The cancer registry is a vital tool for programmatic
and administrative planning and research and for monitoring patient
outcomes. Data are collected according to the current
Commission on Cancer (COC)
data standards and coding instructions.
The St. Joseph Hospital Cancer Registry is continuing
to grow with 1219 new malignancies or reportable benign central nervous
system tumors accessioned (entered and numbered), 224 of those being physician office cases. In
October 2008, the registry had documented follow-up rate with one-year
currency of 96.8% of analytic cases diagnosed 5 years ago, which exceeds the
national standard of 90% and a 96.5% follow-up rate for the whole registry
since our reference date (1/1/2000). The registry currently conducts
follow-up activities on approximately 8789 cases yearly.
The registry is collecting all cases diagnosed or
treated within Whatcom County. The Commission on Cancer does not require
cases diagnosed outside the hospital, but the Cancer Committee has requested
they be collected. The Commission on Cancer in September 2008 surveyed the cancer
program. The surveyor recommended 8 of 9 commendations. The Cancer Program
was awarded a Three year approval with Commendation by the Commission
on Cancer.
The Registrar responded to fourteen special data
requests from various physician and hospital staff cancer-related care
studies so far in 2008. Registry data is also being used to help promote
cancer screenings and awareness programs. Our registry shares data with the
Washington State Registry and the National Cancer Data Base and continues to
work closely with the
Cancer Surveillance System (CSS) at Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center.
The Registrar also supports the cancer program’s
Tumor
Board. Approximately 80% of all cancer cases pathologically diagnosed in the
community are prospectively reviewed at this weekly conference. On average,
28 physicians from a broad range of specialties attend as well as
representatives from hospice, social services, pharmacy, dietary and
nursing.
For more information, contact
Shelly Smits,
Certified Tumor Registrar.
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