Analyzing the Operations of the Hospital Cancer Registry in Three Cities in Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: A Hospital Cancer Registry (HCR) is indispensable for the identification and monitoring of both morbidity and mortality from cancer at the hospital level, but little is known about the operational conditions of these registries in Brazil, mainly those of public health. Objective: To evaluate how the three HCR of Oncology Care Centers in northeastern Brazil operate, through the structure and process analysis, and how the contextual aspects influence the operations of these registries. Method: It is an exploratory multiple case study, which uses a logical model and a matrix of indicators, through direct observation and interviews with members of the registries and directors of these institutions. Results: The three HCR had several points that have compromised their operations, related to its structure and process. Regarding the structure dimension, all registers shared physical space with other activities. One HCR had exclusive staff and equipment and none had written internal routines, record of the activities or an Advisory Committee installed. The lack of support from state coordination, local coordination, information technology, as well as the lack of financial resources destined to its maintenance were reported. In the process dimension, the checking of inconsistencies in the data collection and data entry were not performed, and the teams did not know the coverage of the registries; there was no publication or use of information from the HCR in the planning of these hospitals. Conclusion: The operation of the HCRs was classified as incipient, showing the need to include the situation of those registries in the discussion of strategies to improve the quality of the information on cancer control.