Modeling

NPCR-AERRO conducts modeling activities to explore current business practices and to develop consensus best practice models for automating cancer registration processes and electronic reporting.

Methods

NPCR-AERRO uses Strategic Assessment and Modeling Sessions (SAMS) to identify and document the functions and processes of cancer surveillance. Participants representing stakeholders in cancer surveillance provide their experience and perspectives.

Modern business analysis and modeling techniques are used to represent the flow of data through all levels of the cancer surveillance system. These techniques allow data capture to be streamlined from hospitals' electronic health records (EHR) and other data sources into hospital and central cancer registries.

The Technical Development Team uses Unified Modeling Language (UML) modeling techniques to document the information obtained in the SAMS, because UML—

• Provides a specialized view of the business.
• Reduces complexity.
• Purges secondary details.
• Captures facts and provides answers.

The general process for modeling includes—

• Identifying stakeholders and forming a workgroup.
• Developing use cases, business rules, and UML diagrams.
• Updating models as practices change.

Note: Please see the Glossary (PDF-412KB) for definitions of technical terms.

Activities

Hospital Operations

Standardize best practice processes in hospital cancer registries as they relate to e-reporting. A combination of manual and electronic methods currently is used in hospital registry operations. NPCR-AERRO evaluates opportunities and barriers to creating automated processes, and leads efforts to document consensus best practice models that can be implemented for electronic reporting.

Central Cancer Registries

Use electronic reporting and automation for central cancer registries to receive and process data from multiple data sources. A combination of manual and electronic methods currently is used at central cancer registries. NPCR-AERRO evaluates opportunities and barriers to creating automated processes, and leads efforts to document consensus best practice models that can be implemented for electronic reporting.

Cancer Control and Data Use

Identify opportunities and evaluate how electronic reporting of cancer data and adoption of the electronic health record (EHR) can impact the use of cancer surveillance data, such as improved timeliness and data quality for better trend analysis. Participants include scientists, administrators, program managers, and technology professionals. Modeling describes how cancer data are used for current and future needs and identifies efficient patterns of usage that can serve as best practices.

eHealth Initiatives

Participate in national and international eHealth initiatives including Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) and Health Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP) to represent the cancer surveillance community in these efforts. NPCR-AERRO is modeling how the cancer surveillance community integrates and interfaces with the national and international health care community.

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