NPCR-AERRO Implementation

NPCR-AERRO participates in specific implementation activities by coordinating, leading, and supporting software vendors, hospitals, and state cancer registries to pilot test the NPCR-AERRO models and products.

Methods

The Technical Development team collaborates with workgroups and other subject matter experts to—

• Define need and scope based on model/analysis (type of tool).
• Develop requirements for implementation.
• Use existing tools when applicable or develop software when needed.
• Pilot test implementation of specific model components.
• Document lessons learned for use in broader implementation.
• Develop and maintain the NPCR-AERRO Web site.
• Provide consultation, support, and training for implementation of models.

Note: Please see the Glossary [PDF-777KB] for definitions of technical terms.

Activities

Electronic Pathology (ePath) Reporting

• ePath Pilot Project. This project involved pilot implementation of reporting from national pathology laboratories to state central cancer registries using the NAACCR Standards for Cancer Registries, Volume V Pathology Laboratory Electronic Reporting. NAACCR completed the modeling, analysis, and design of this project. NPCR-AERRO built on NAACCR's work by initiating a pilot test of their standard using CDC's Public Health Information Network Messaging System (PHINMS) as the infrastructure for secure data transmission.
• Parsing, text mining, and coding enhancements for Electronic Mapping, Reporting, and Coding (eMaRC) Plus. Through initial analysis and design of text mining/natural language processing, "NegEx" methodology was identified for enhancement of eMaRC Plus. By building this feature in eMaRC Plus and incorporating a list of pre- and post-negation terms, the software parses through textual pathology reports and minimizes the number of "false positive" cancer cases flagged for review.