Using information to improve cancer care at network level
Ken Lloyd, Sue Forsey, Monica Roche
Oxford Cancer Intelligence Unit, Oxford, UK
Background
The Clinical Information Analysis (CIA) programme has been developed by a regional cancer registry and a cancer network over the last eight years. The programme has demonstrated that the comprehensive collection of a limited dataset, covering surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy by tumour site, with targeted analysis and reporting, is both achievable and valuable in the commissioning and monitoring of cancer services. The collaboration between the two organisations has brought together the clinical knowledge and engagement from the cancer network and the expertise in collecting, quality assuring and analysing cancer data from the cancer registry.
Method
The aim of the programme is to capture, quality assure, analyse and interpret information on all significant cancer treatments for the network population. The approach has been to identify the minimum data required and to source this from operational systems whenever possible.
Results
The programme delivers outputs to commissioners and providers of cancer care in a standardised format including: (a) analyses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimes by cancer site, provider and PCT and showing variations between providers and temporal trends; and (b) tumour site reports containing information on incidence, stage at presentation, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, survival and place of death.
Conclusion
The approach is consistent with the direction indicated by the Cancer Reform Strategy. It contributes to understanding variations and trends in clinical outcomes and supports high quality cancer commissioning. The programme has contributed to demonstrable improvements in clinical practice and changes in service provision. Examples of the impact of the programme will be presented.
