Pathology Database Query System Project
Endorsed by MA-SHARE Advisory Committee - September 29, 2003
Vision
The Pathology Database Query System project will demonstrate the
feasibility of querying multiple hospital pathology databases in
real-time to identify and track cancer patients as they move among
different providers.
Sponsors
The Pathology Database Query System Project is sponsored by Paul
Cleary, PhD and Keith McInnes, PhD, health services researchers
at the Harvard Medical School.
Project Description
The goals of The Pathology Database Query System project are to:
- Successfully employ NCI-funded Virtual Specimen Locator (VSL)
technology to conduct automated queries at 3 pilot hospitals
(Mass. General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center) to identify colorectal cancer
patients
- Verify accuracy, validity and cost-effectiveness of the system
- Extend use of technology to other cancer management programs
and organizations to monitor cancer care quality
- Develop protocols to share patient data with Massachusetts
Cancer Registry to improve timeliness and completeness of registry
data
The principal challenge will be to successfully modify VSL system
to create capability for real-time data retrieval and demonstrate
that capability.
The Pathology Database Query System Project fits with MA-SHARE
goals, in that:
- The principal objective of PDQS is to improve quality of care
for cancer patients by providing more timely and comprehensive
information for patient identification and tracking;
- Automated access to patient data will reduce time and effort
associated with manual identification and tracking
- The ability to analyze and report on information on cancer
patients consolidated from multiple different provider systems
will improve integrated reporting;
- A successful pilot of the VSL technology will confirm feasibility
of implementing data collection system at hospitals throughout
the region Note: state-wide roll-out is not part of the current
project plan
The Physician Credentialing Project fits with MA-SHARE goals toward
improving patient safety and quality of care, increasing administrative
simplification and reducing costs, expanding the availability of
standardized centralized credentialing information, maintaining
state-wide focus and impact, and employing appropriate standards
for data security.
Activities to date
The Project is scheduled to begin in Fall 2003.
This page last updated April 21, 2005
For further information regarding the MA-SHARE initiative and
its projects, please contact Gail Fournier, Partner, CSC Consulting, via
e-mail. We welcome your further questions & look
forward to your participation in our work and our events!
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