In this newsletter, you will find: |
- Industry News: 2021 NCDB Call for Data
- March Tip of the Month: Cross Tabs - Not Your Everyday Report!
- Save the Date: Topics Announced for ERS Webinar Series
- About You! Series: Putting the Spotlight on CTRs
- Intelligent Abstracting: Reduce Time Spent Gathering Treatment Information
- Share Your Thoughts with Us!
- March Employee Spotlight - Sally Kruse
- Refer CRStar - Earn $200
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Industry News
2021 NCDB Call for Data
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The NCDB has recently updated their website with valuable information about the 2021 Call for Data. Highlights include:
- Please do not create your final submission files any earlier than December 1, 2020, to ensure that all required cases and updates are properly captured.
- Submission window opens: June 1, 2021
- Final date for initial submissions and corrections: June 30, 2021 (11:59 pm CT)
Cases Required to Be Submitted
NCDB recommends that registries use the registry software's automated case selection, to include the following selection requirements:
- Analytic (Class of Case 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22)
- Diagnosed on or after 2004 or the program's Reference Date (and not earlier than 2004)
- All cases meeting the above specifications diagnosed from 2019 PLUS
- All cases meeting the above specifications diagnosed on 2004 or after the program's Reference Date (and not earlier than 2004) through 2018 that were added or changed since the Call for Data for 2020. See NCDB Call for Data Schedule for 2018 through 2021
Visit NCDB Call for Data for more detailed information about the Call for Data, including:
- Special requirements for new programs
- Data items required and layout specifications
- Edits requirement for Standard 6.3
- How to submit
- GenEdits Plus 5 installation guidelines.
Please Note: The ERS support team can not assist with GenEdits Plus 5 issues. For support issues related to GenEdits Plus or assistance with installation, please contact cancerinformatics@cdc.gov.
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March Tip of the Month
Cross Tabs - Not Your Everyday Report!
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The March Tip of the Month focuses on the Cross Tab report. This report is a great way to compare two variables or data items in easy to identify rows and columns. The report displays both numbers and percentages. The user can choose whether to display the data in code or description. Limit values may be set in the report without having to do so beforehand in the population selection. For example, site code may be used as a variable for comparison. The user can set the limit value to 5 or 10 to select the top sites automatically, or leave blank for all.
In addition, ranges of certain variables may be used, which will group data items together and a description can be utilized for a summation of the data. For example, a diagnosis date range of 01/01/2021 - 03/31/2021, along with the description “First Quarter 2021” will group all dates within the designated range together under the label “First Quarter 2021.” Similarly, using the field Class of Case, entering the range 00-22, with the description “Analytic Cases” will group all the 00-22 codes in one column.
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Another little known fact about the Cross Tab report is that it can easily be made into a graph once it is in Excel. Depending on the intended recipient of the report, some people prefer data in a graph form rather than a data table. It has always been fun to show a user how easily the data can be transformed into a graph! The image above is an example of an original Cross Tab report. The picture below shows how it looks after creation of a graph. |
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In CRStar, the Cross Tab report is located in the Reporting Module and Adhoc Reports. For more information on the use of Cross Tab reports, refer to the CRStar User Manual or submit a support ticket and a member of our support staff will be happy to assist! |
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Save the Date
Topics Announced For ERS Webinar Series
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Christi Cox, Manager of Education would like to announce the topics of two upcoming educational opportunities, additional segments in the ERS Webinar Series.
The first webinar, titled ”Cancer Registry Reporting: From Mystery to Mastery,” will be presented on April 22, 2021 and April 24, 2021, both at 12pm EST. Christi will be joined by co-presenter Jonathan Rakestraw, BS, CTR, Client Advocate Specialist. This webinar will demonstrate a broad range of skills related to reporting that will raise participants' confidence in effectively communicating with requestors, selecting precise populations, building concise reports and creating customizable graphs. Elevate your registry's value to its full potential with this often requested and highly anticipated presentation!
The second webinar, titled “Answering the Call: NCDB 2021 Submission,” will be presented May 25, 2021 and May 27, 2021, both at 12 pm EST. This webinar will include the latest specifications and instructions for preparing your data for export to meet the demands of the June 2021 NCDB Call for Data. We will go through each step of the process to help you answer the call, stress free and confidently.
Be sure to save these dates! We look forward to seeing you there!
Future Webinar Suggestions
What topics interest you for future webinars? If you have suggestions, please contact Christi Cox, Manager of Education at ccox@mycrstar.com with your wish list!
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About You! Series
Putting the Spotlight on CTRs
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Cancer Registrars play an integral role in the journey of cancer patients. It is your analytical skills and precise attention to detail that provides physicians and researchers the necessary information to effectively treat patients and make evidence based decisions in the fight to end cancer. And now it is your time to shine!
Beginning in April, ERS will introduce a new series called “About You!” This series will focus on a different CTR each month, highlighting the people who make up the cancer registry community. Our very own Sally Kruse, CTR, will spend time with each individual, learning about their lives, why they chose to be a cancer registrar and any wisdom they wish to impart.
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We can’t wait to share their stories with you! Join us beginning in April to celebrate the CTR! And we are excited that this will coincide with National Cancer Registrars Week, April 5-9. |
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Intelligent Abstracting
Reduce Time Spent Gathering Treatment Information
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Have you ever considered the impact that automating registry processes could have on your workflow and productivity? We know that 15% of resources in a registry are spent on casefinding processes and an additional 1-2 hours are spent abstracting each case. With today’s staffing challenges this can quickly drain resources.
What if there was a solution to integrate radiation treatment information directly into CRStar? There already is! This solution is currently available in both the Aria and Mosaic radiation oncology modules for integration into CRStar. This interface can be utilized for casefinding and abstracting and will assist with concurrency, accuracy and efficiency, and free up valuable time that can be spent on other important registry and cancer center initiatives. The return on investment will quickly be recognized.
Over the last few months, we have been engaged with customers regarding the benefits of Automated Data Exchange for a multitude of sources including the EMR, Pathology, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology platforms.
Would you like to learn more on how your registry can achieve efficiency and free up valuable time for other important initiatives? Click on the Let’s Talk button and schedule a call with Melanie Rogan, CTR, Director of Registry Services and Todd Carter, Manager, Technology and Implementation Services.
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Share Your Thoughts with Us |
Please share your thoughts with us to let us know how we are doing! At ERS, we strive to offer the best software solution, training, education and support services in the industry! As we are continuously trying to make our customer’s experiences better, we would love your feedback!
Beginning in April, customers will receive a survey via email once a service ticket has been resolved. There will only be one quick question, so we hope you will take the time to share your thoughts. We value your continued support!
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March Employee Spotlight - Sally Kruse |
This month, our Employee Spotlight shines on Sally Kruse, CTR. Client Advocate Specialist. Sally has been with ERS for almost 26 years, beginning in 1995 at a Customer Service Representative. During her first year, she traveled 32 times and met and made lots of friends. Twenty-six years later, she doesn’t travel much, but still gets to interact with her fellow registrars every day.
Throughout her years at ERS, Sally has held many different positions in ERS including Manager of Registry Services and Manager of Education Services. She now works part-time, three days a week.
Sally has held multiple elected positions in both NCRA and FCRA where she is currently serves as Treasurer. She has served as President of both Associations and has had the distinct honor of receiving the Distinguished Member Award from both NCRA and FCRA.
Sally recently moved to Wesley Chapel, Florida, to be closer to her family. She brags about her pool and jacuzzi and it won’t be long before she will be hosting pool parties. She loves Disney, the Tampa Bay Bucs, Rays and Lightning. She can’t wait until the pandemic is over so she can attend the Rays games again.
Almost every day Sally is asked, “When are you going to retire?” Her answer is, “I love my job, my ERS team and especially all of the registrars that I’ve been able to help throughout the years. They are my extended family and I would never want to leave them.”
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Do you love CRStar?
So do we and we are offering our loyal customers the chance to earn a $200 gift card when a Cancer Program that you refer becomes an ERS customer!
Please click "Refer CRStar" below if you know of any Cancer Programs that could benefit from CRStar and the advantages that CRStar users enjoy and rely on.
Let's grow our CRStar community together!
Terms and conditions can be found on the CRStar Referral Form.
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ERS, Inc. | 1.800.824.9020 | www.mycrstar.com |
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