SEER Data Quality Initiatives

Who We Are

Data quality initiatives have been an integral part of SEER Program activities since its inception in 1973. The quality improvement process, restructured in 2000 and again in 2018, achieves its goals primarily through targeted data assessments. The assessment results are used to improve cancer registry documentation such as the SEER Program Coding and Staging Manual and to identify objectives for educational programs.

Quality improvement methods are developed using appropriate statistical procedures. These procedures generate measures that are used to evaluate the performance of the SEER registries. The SEER Program formally recognizes those registries that perform best in the assessments.

Mission

The mission of the SEER Data Quality Initiatives is to improve the quality and completeness of cancer information through assessment, accountability, project evaluation methodology, and needs-based education.

What We Do

• Ensure quality data are provided to the scientific community
• Establish, perform, and manage targeted data assessments
• Identify standards and systematically measure performance against those standards
• Develop measurement and evaluation tools
• Assess outcomes and performance measures
• Develop quality enhancement strategies
• Determine registry needs and assess their fulfillment
• Provide cancer registrar education and training to improve data quality