The SEER Data Management System (SEER*DMS) is a unified, distributed application developed under contract to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. It is specifically designed to support all core functions of a central cancer registry, including: importing data, editing, linkage, consolidation, and reporting.
Key Benefits
- Improved Data Quality and Consistency: The centralized system design ensures data quality and consistency across all participating registries.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces duplication of effort in system maintenance and administration across the SEER network.
- Timely Compliance: The system automatically implements new data standards and edits from national standard setters like the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) and the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) in a timely manner.
- Customization: The modular design and workflow engine allow for customization to meet the specific business rules and site-specific data fields of individual registries.
Main Features and Capabilities
- Data Processing: Supports case finding (electronic pathology screening and coding), data importing, abstracting, visual editing, and quality control.
- Record Management: Includes matching/linkage to existing patient sets and record consolidation.
- Geocoding: Submits secure API calls for Real-Time Geocoding using the AGGIE geocoding system.
- Workflow Engine: Manages the flow of data and tasks based on registry business rules, handling both automated and manual procedures.
- Reporting and Analysis: Provides integrated reports for quality control and completeness metrics, and includes a Data Search tool for ad hoc queries and SQL execution.
- Data Submission: Features a push-button mechanism for creating data submission files that conform to the reporting requirements of SEER, NAACCR, and NPCR.
Target Users and Use Cases
The primary users are Central Cancer Registries participating in the NCI SEER Program (currently supporting 16 registries). The system is also used by SEER affiliates, researchers, public health departments, and hospitals. The main use case is comprehensive, population-based cancer surveillance data management, from initial case finding to final data submission and analysis.