CODING DATA QUALITY AT THE URMIA CANCER REGISTRY SYSTEM: EVALUATION OF COMPLETENESS, VALIDITY AND TIMELINESS

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: cancer registry is an information system designed for the collection, storage, management, and analysis of data from a variety of sources such as pathology reports, medical records and death certificates. The value of the cancer registry and its ability to affect cancer prevention, control, or treatment programs rely on quality of its data. It is critical that data collected in cancer registry is classified according to ICD-O-3 for coding the primary site, histology, behavior, and grade of cancer. The evaluation of coding data quality is one of the most important for measuring data quality in a cancer registry. The purpose of this study was evaluation of coding data quality at the Urmia cancer registry system (UCRS). 

Methods: In October 2016, we conducted a retrospective evaluation of coding data quality of UCRS based CanReg5 coding systems. We randomly sampled approximately 2,500 total registry cases. Three coder experts not associated with the UCRS were used in the evaluation of coding data quality based on three important components: completeness, validity and timeliness.

Results: The rate of completeness of coding data in topography, morphology and behavior were 95.26%, 93.91%, 91.56%, respectively. The validity of coding for topography was 82.2% and also at the fourth digit, 90.68% were coded as unspecified sub-sites. The validity of coding for morphology was 87.46% and behavior 91.45%. Only 63% of the registry cases complied with timeliness of coding.

Conclusion: Although completeness of coding data at the UCRS is a good standard, its validity and timeliness of coding have some problems. For improving coding quality, coders must be trained and adhere to standardized coding rules. It seems essential for continuous and systematic evaluation of data quality used to code entry automated systems.