Impact of hospital geographic remoteness on overall survival after colorectal cancer resection using state-wide administrative data.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to use administrative data (AD) linked to the Victorian death index (VDI) to report on overall long-term survival following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, comparing regional to metropolitan hospitals. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using prospectively gathered AD linked to VDI. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Outcomes were adjusted for potential confounders via multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Total of 17 533 patients: 12 879 metropolitan patients, 3835 inner regional patients and 719 outer regional patients. Multivariable Cox regression, adjusted for the effects of age, ASA score, Charlson score, position of tumour, mode of access, admission type, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, return to theatre, length of stay, HDU admission and discharge destination showed no difference in OS comparing CRC resection patients from inner or outer regional hospitals to metropolitan ((HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95-1.09, P = 0.59) and (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.85-1.11, P = 0.68) respectively). CONCLUSION: This is the largest and most detailed study concerning OS after CRC resection involving Victorian public hospitals. There was no difference in OS following CRC resection when inner or outer regional hospitals were compared to metropolitan hospitals in Victoria. The study demonstrated the utility of AD with validated algorithms, linked to death data for reporting CRC survival outcomes.

Study of colorectal cancer resection patterns across the state of Victoria using validated administrative data algorithms.

BACKGROUND: Administrative data provide a unique opportunity to examine whole-of-state colorectal cancer (CRC) data. The purpose of this study was to compare types of CRC resection across Victorian geographical zones, using hospital volume and accredited training-post status. METHODS: All CRC resections in Victorian public hospitals between 2008 and 2013 were analysed using validated algorithms of administrative data from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset. Hospitals were grouped according to Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) training-post status, case-volume (high >200 in 5 years) and remoteness of location. Resection frequency and type were compared. RESULTS: In 44 public hospitals over 6 years, 7596 CRC resections were performed. Patient age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System score and tumour stage were similar among groups. CSSANZ accounted for nearly 50% of cases but the lowest percentage of emergencies (16.8%). The ratio of right-sided to left-sided plus rectal resections was greater for low-volume than high-volume centres (56.8% versus 40.4%), while left colon and rectal resections comprised a larger proportion of high-volume workload. High- compared with low-volume favoured ultra-low anterior resections (62% versus 33%) over abdominoperineal resections (38% versus 67%). Work patterns among high-volume hospitals were similar regardless of remoteness or CSSANZ status. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that administrative data can provide granular, clinically relevant information with population-wide coverage. Most public CRC resections in Victoria were performed in metropolitan hospitals. The majority of rectal cancer resections were performed in high-volume metropolitan centres but 15% were performed by low-volume regional hospitals.

Accuracy of administrative coding data in colorectal cancer resections and short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Administrative data are routinely captured for each hospital admission and may serve as an alternative source for populating databases. This study aims to determine the accuracy of administrative data to provide tumour characteristics and short-term post-operative outcomes, after a colorectal cancer (CRC) resection, compared with clinical data. METHODS: A retrospective study of all CRC resections at a single hospital from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013 was conducted. Local administrative data were coded as per ICD-10-AM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification) and Australian Classification of Health Interventions. Clinical data for all patients were extracted from the medical charts and compared with administrative data. Code combinations and algorithms were used to improve the accuracy of administrative data. RESULTS: A total of 436 patients were identified. The accuracy of algorithms combining tumour location and type of operation for right colon, left colon and rectum were 93, 89 and 88%, respectively. The accuracy of histological type was 89%, lymph node status 92% and metastasis status 88%. The accuracy of return to theatre and in-hospital mortality was 100%. CONCLUSION: Administrative data can provide reliable information on tumour details and short-term post-operative outcomes. The potential for administrative data to validate data captured in registries and be used independently for audit and research should be further explored.