Patient Follow-up Services
The Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) maintains follow-up survival information for all patients in the registry. KCR leverage the following data sources in order to maintain the most accurate follow-up information possible:
| Data Source | Description | Frequency of Updates |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting hospital facilities | As reporting Kentucky hospital facilities update their records with current information about their patients (treatment, recurrence, follow-up and etc.) the updated information is automatically reported to KCR. Of note, Commission on Cancer accredited facilities are required to maintain follow-up on 80% from registry reference date and 90% for patients diagnosed in the last 5 years. | Monthly |
| Social Security Administration (SSA) | KCR data are linked with SSA to obtain a presumed date of last contact, based upon the patient’s receipt of SSA benefits. | Annually, in October |
| Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) | KCR data are linked with CMS to obtain a presumed date of last contact, based upon the patient’s receipt of CMS benefits. | Annually, in October |
| Kentucky Death Certificates | KCR data are linked with Kentucky Death Certificates to identify patients who are deceased. Death certificates include Kentucky residents who died in and out of state. | Annually, in September |
| National Death Index (NDI) | KCR data are linked with the National Death Index to identify patients who are deceased. NDI deaths include all U.S. citizens who are deceased. | Annually, in September |
