Mission Statement and Purpose
Mission Statement
The mission of the Arkansas Central Cancer Registry is to reduce incidence and mortality
of cancer in Arkansas. By collecting, analyzing, and researching cancer information it is
hoped cancer incidence and mortality rates in Arkansas will decrease over time.
By reducing the burden of cancer in Arkansas we are fulfilling the mission of the
Arkansas Department of Health, which is to assure conditions which encourage a healthier
quality of life for people in the state.
Goals & Objectives
- To collect accurate information on cancer diagnosed in Arkansas annually.
- To provide information to the public regarding cancer incidence and mortality in Arkansas.
- Increase awareness of cancer in communities and national/state/local government.
- Provide quality data in which to conduct studies and research.
- Serve as a data repository for those requesting information on cancer, its effects, treatment, risk factors, and prevention of the disease.
- Assist registrars in each facility by providing accurate data which can be used by each facility to compare data.
- Provide assistance to physicians and researchers conducting studies or data presentations.
- Continue to obtain/retain funding resulting in quality staffing, quality work, and quality data.
- Compare and analyze data to provide feedback regarding cancer cluster studies thus reducing fear in the community.
- Assist in the development of new cancer registries and assist registrars in the planning efforts concerning the registry.
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Confidentiality
Since registry requires the
review of significant amounts of data, there is normally a very thorough
review of each patient's medical record. All information obtained on
patients shall be considered extremely confidential. The actual medical
record is the property of the hospital and is kept to document the
course of a patient's care and provide communication between all health
care professionals for both current and future care of the patient. The
actual information contained within the medical record is the patient's
property and cannot be released to anyone without proper authorization
from the patient, a subpoena, or court order.
It is important to stress the strictest confidentiality, as new employees are hired as well
as periodic reminders for other employees.
Any unauthorized
release of patient information will be punishable by the guidelines
stated in confidentiality policy.
The confidentiality statement is discussed and signed by all new personnel at the time of hire. They
are also given a copy of the form.
For more on confidentiality view our Laws and Regulations page.
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Facility Audits
Audits are performed to ensure that all data being submitted to the central registry are of quality and to ensure
that all cancer cases are being collected at each facility. There are two types of audits that are performed by
the central registry: Quality Assurance and Case Finding.
Quality Assurance audits are performed by re-abstracting 10% of the facility's cases. Usually the top four sites
are chosen for re-abstracting. Certain data items are reviewed to ensure proper coding of the case. The auditor
compares the re-abstracted cases to the cases that have been submitted to the registry. If there is a discrepancy,
a comment is noted and the registrar has the opportunity to review the reason why the case may be different from
what they have submitted.
Case Finding audits will be performed by reviewing the medical records disease index (inpatient and outpatient),
pathology reports and surgery logs for a requested year. This procedure determines if the registrar has missed
any cases for the requested year. The registrar will have the opportunity to review the cases that have been
identified from the audit and determine if the patients were diagnosed during the audit year. If patients are
identified in another year other than the audit year for the specified primary, they will not be included in
the audit. This helps to determine the legitimate cases for the year. The percentage is then determined from the
reconciled cases.
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Standard Setting Organizations
The Arkansas Central Cancer Registry is partially funded by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The standards by which the Arkansas Central Cancer Registry stores, collects, and exchanges data are in full compliance
of the following standard setting organizations.
North American Association of Central Cancer Registries
Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results
American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer
American Joint Committee on Cancer
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