Cervix-Online computer program: 27 years of hospital-based clinical registry for cervical cancer at the University Medical Centre Maribor

Abstract

Abstract Background Clinical registries are designed to collect quality data about the care for cancer patients in order to improve it. They gather data that are generated during diagnosis and cancer treatment and also post-treatment follow-up. Analysis of collected data allows an improvement in the quality of patient care and a comparison with other health care providers. The aim of the present article is to describe the current version and practice of hospital-based cervical cancer registry in UKC Maribor. Materials and methods The first questionnaire for monitoring patients with cervical cancer was introduced at the Department of Gynecologic and Breast Oncology of the Maribor General Hospital in 1994. Since then, the principles for treating cervical cancer have been revised on several occasions. Therefore, based on our experience and new approaches to treatment, we have frequently amended the questionnaire content. It was redesigned into a form that is currently in use and transformed into a Cervix-Online computer program in 2014. Results Over the last 27 years, we have collected data on cervical cancer patients treated at the University Medical Centre Maribor and former Maribor General Hospital. The Cervix-Online computer program that was developed for this purpose enabled a rapid and reliable collection, processing and analysis of 116 different data of patients with cervical cancer, including general data, history, diagnostic procedures, histopathological examination results, treatment methods, and post-treatment follow-ups. Conclusions The hospital-based cervical cancer registry with Cervix-Online computer program enables the collection of data to enhance diagnosis and the treatment of cervical cancer patients, the organization of day-to-day service, as well as the comparison of our treatment results with national and international standards. Incomplete or incorrect data entry, however, might pose a limitation of the clinical registry, which depends on several healthcare professionals involved in the diagnostic procedures, treatment, and follow-up of cervical cancer patients.