The National Cancer Data Base: A Powerful Initiative to Improve Cancer Care in the United States

• DOI: 10.1245/s10434-007-9747-3
• Publication Date: 2008-01-08T19:26:20Z
• Authors: Karl Y. Bilimoria; Andrew K. Stewart; David P. Winchester; Clifford Y. Ko
• Keywords: Surgical oncology

2][3] Currently, the NCDB receives over one million cancer case reports annually from more than 1,430 hospitals.The now contains data on 21 patients diagnosed between 1985 and 2005, is recognized as largest clinical registry in world.NCDB are used to explore trends care, examine regional national benchmarks, serve basis for quality improvement activities ( http://www.facs.org/cancer/ncdb)The purposes of this review are: (1) describe collected; (2) discuss how can be study outcomes care United States; (3) tools provided by CoC participating hospitals. BACKGROUND: THE COMMISSION ON CANCER AND NCDBThe a multidisciplinary consortium professional organizations that strive improve through setting standards, prevention, research, education, monitoring comprehensive care. 4The also accredits hospitals centers, based their ability provide broad range cancer-related services specialists. 2The was started 1989 ACoS conjunction with American Cancer Society.The housed at headquarters Chicago, Illinois.When database established any hospital could voluntarily report NCDB, during mid 1990s, 2,000 were contributing cases.In 1996, all CoC-approved required cases 2001, participation associated advantages reporting limited those who had earned approval. 5 PARTICIPATING HOSPITALSThe classifies approved into teaching/research hospitals, community centers. 2 Teaching/research must primarily affiliated medical school or National Institute (NCI)-designated center.Community center designations