Computerised data collection systems have not improved data collection

BMJ 1995;310:1328 (20 May)

Letters

Computerised data collection systems have not improved data collection

EDITOR,--It is disappointing to learn that in the 10 years from1984 to 1993 roughly 13% of patients with malignant melanomaliving in Avon were not recorded by the South Western RegionalCancer Registry.¹ The disappointment is increased by the knowledgethat a previous study performed in the same hospital showedthat in 1974 the same cancer registry missed 8-19% of malignantmelanomas in the Avon area.² The collection of data seems notto have improved in the past 20 years despite the introductionof computerisation.

This is supported by a closer examination of the figures providedby Clive Richards and colleagues.¹ In the three years (1984-6)before the introduction of the computerised histopathology systemsin 1987 the cancer registry missed nine (4%) of 222 cases. Inthe four years 1990-3, the registry missed 73 (19%) of 386 cases.

Professor Department of Dermatology, Bristol Royal Infirmary,Bristol BS2 8HW

J L Burton