National collection and analysis of cancer chemotherapy

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February 2012 – 2 months to go live date!

National collection of cancer chemotherapy data commences in England from 1^st April 2012 using the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) dataset. The Chemotherapy Intelligence Unit (CIU) based at Oxford is now fully functional and the website is operational; www.chemodataset.nhs.uk. All relevant documentation is available on the website along with an ever increasing list of frequently asked questions. The website also provides the upload portal for trusts to submit data according to the timetable detailed in the December 2011 Cancer Action.

The CIU is currently working with a number of trusts ahead of the go live date, generating sample downloads to identify and resolve practical issues which arise. Knowledge gained during this initial period will be incorporated into the repository processes and advice given to successive trusts.

Work is also progressing with e-prescribing and other system suppliers to ensure consistent recording and downloading of chemotherapy activity. This is summarised below:

Varian (Aria)

SACT compliant report is expected to be ready by 31^st January 2012. Rollout to customer sites will take place during the first week of February. This is supported with training materials. Each site will then need to undertake any additional work required to pre-populate additional data not already being entered in ARIA that will be required for the report. The CIU is working with a number of Trusts across England testing data extracts from the Aria system.

CIS-Oncology (ChemoCare)

CIS Oncology is in process of undertaking the necessary changes within ChemoCare. A ChemoCare Advisory Group meeting was held at the end of January to resolve issues and further work is planned to confirm standardised data definitions across all users. The compliance statement is scheduled to be available at the end of February 2012.

Elekta (MOSIAQ)

All MOSAIQ customers will be able to support the SACT dataset go live date of April, 2012. From within MOSAIQ, customers will be able to run a report which meets all of the SACT dataset requirements. These streamlined reports will be available for every release of MOSAIQ and be in the format needed to electronically upload into the SACT dataset. The CIU is working with a Trust testing SACT data from the Elekta system.

Bookwise (Virtual Purple)

Bookwise have completed the development of a SACT report that will pull out all the SACT fields within their system. Bookwise plan to role this out across existing customer sites during February 2012. The CIU are working with Bookwise to thoroughly test the extract.

CIMS (Infoflex)

CIMS have developed the design and extract report for SACT. The extract has been thoroughly tested using the CIU supplier version of the upload portal. CIMS are in the process of implementing it in one customer site. The design is available for use by any of their customers as and when they require it.

Somerset Health Informatics (Somerset Cancer Register)

Somerset Health Informatics is currently developing their chemotherapy area of the Somerset Cancer Register so that it can collect the data required for the SACT dataset. This work is due to be completed by the end of March for rollout to Trusts during April 2012. The CIU has identified a number of Trusts in England who are keen to test their SACT data extracts from SCR before 1^st April.

There are a number of additional systems listed as e-prescribing, that we have identified, the provenance of which has not yet been established.

Whilst not wishing to underestimate the remaining work to be done, excellent progress is being made and the team is looking forward to being on schedule to commence national data collection.

For further information please contact ciu@sph.nhs.uk or for predominantly clinical queries contact sue.forsey@ngh.nhs.uk

Current timetable

• Information Standards Notice (ISN) circulated to NHS September 2011.
• October 2011 to March 2012 - Trusts need to review their capabilities in relation to the ISN and develop individual action plans.
• 1st April 2012 - Start of mandatory collection from trusts with e-prescribing systems. 
• September 2012 - trusts without e-prescribing systems commence partial downloads.
• By April 2014, all trusts submitting full data.

Between now and April 2012, a series of roadshows is being held in all the English Cancer Networks. These cover the introduction of the Information Standard and the dataset, the new National Regimen List and updates on new developments around PbR and commissioning for chemotherapy. The roadshows provide an opportunity for colleagues at trust and network level and in commissioning to familiarise themselves with the details of these developments and how they relate to their services.

Implementation Timetable

NHS Trusts with fully implemented e-prescribing systems. These trusts will be required to submit data in all clinical areas by April 2012. That includes all inpatient, outpatient and community services for all solid tumours, haematological and paediatric malignancy. NHS Trusts with partially implemented e-prescribing systems i.e. not all hospital sites or not all tumour types. These trusts will be required to submit data in all clinical areas that have e-prescribing implemented by April 2012. They will be expected to develop full coverage of all tumour sites and services by September 2012. Electronic clinical systems but no e-prescribing: Systems capable of capturing some information on chemotherapy. These trusts will be required to submit partial data from September 2012. They will be expected to develop the functionality to submit full downloads by April 2014. Basic hospital systems only: Systems capable of recording demographics, cancer waiting times and commissioning data. These trusts will be required to submit partial data fromSeptember 2012. They will be expected to develop the functionality to submit full downloads by April 2014. The SACT dataset is divided into six sections:

1. Demographics - including commissioner and provider initiating treatment
2. Clinical status
3. Programme and regimen
4. Cycle
5. Drug details
6. Outcome