The New York State Department of Health's Alzheimer's disease and other dementias registry first year experience

Abstract

The New York State Departm ent of Health established the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Registry in August 1986. A legal requirement was enacted through Public Health Law that stipulated physicians and facilities must begin reporting the diagnosis or confirmation of Alzheimerls disease beginning January 1, 1987. By September 1987, over4, 000 reports had been submitted to the registry.

Analysis of the reporting experience up to September 1987 provided the basis for a revision of the case report form and procedures for reporting, that are intended to improve the validity of the data. The process of revising the confidential case report form involved both consideration of methodologic issues and reporter concerns.

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