In tumor registries, what process is used to combine data from multiple records of the same patient?

The process utilized to combine data from multiple records of the same patient in tumor registries is known as record consolidation. This technique is essential for ensuring that a comprehensive and accurate view of a patient's cancer history is maintained. By consolidating records, registrars ensure that all relevant treatment, diagnosis, and outcome information is associated with the correct patient, minimizing duplication and discrepancies.

Record consolidation involves reviewing all records related to the patient, identifying different entries for the same individual, and merging them into a single cohesive record. This is particularly important for tumor registries, as cancer care can be fragmented across different healthcare providers and facilities. A well-consolidated record enhances the quality of data available for research and for tracking cancer trends, outcomes, and survival statistics.

While other processes like record linkage and data normalization are important in the context of data management and integrity, they focus on different aspects of data handling. Record linkage pertains to connecting datasets based on common identifiers to avoid duplicate records in a broader sense, and data normalization refers to organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve consistency within a database. Data compliance typically relates to adhering to regulatory standards, which, although critical, does not specifically address the combination of multiple patient records. Therefore, record consolidation is the precise term that identifies