Using tumor registry resources in analyzing concordance with guidelines and outcomes.

Collection and analysis of standardized multi-institutional outcomes data is a labor-intensive process. As the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) seeks to expand its Outcomes Database to include multiple primary tumor types, the amount of time and effort required for detailed data abstraction and transmission will become an obstacle for many primary institutions. In addition, as the NCCN Guidelines become more widely distributed and adopted in the oncology community, it would be appealing to evaluate guideline concordance and quality of care in community hospitals and community-based physician practices vs major cancer centers. However, methods for case finding and collection of detailed outcomes data in the community setting are not well established. Most cancer centers and community hospitals have already set aside resources for maintaining a local tumor registry that includes limited information on demographics, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and survival for all new cancer patients treated at the specific institution. One strategy that can be used to facilitate a global outcomes program within the NCCN community calls for capitalizing on existing local database resources and experienced coding and data management staff.