A Web-based system for the consolidation of hospital-based cancer registries in Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) distributes a cancer registry tool to all hospitals. The data are stored locally but then have to be physically shipped to INCA. The RHCNet is a centralized, secure, Web-based system that collects information in electronic form and consolidates it in one database using information from all Brazilian hospital-based cancer registry clients nationally. It allows the generation of a more accurate picture of the cancer occurrence in Brazil, which is important for the evaluation of treatment strategies and government decision-making. RHCNet is now entering the production phase; in its pilot phase, six hospitals and 75,000 patients were registered. By the end of 2007 it will be available at 67 centres with an estimated 350,000 patients. RHCNet is contributing to the modernization of medical practice in Brazil, providing a unified view of cancer care and combining the best telehealth practices with the latest information system technologies.

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