In oncology, accessible data drives better outcomes. Real-time cancer data supports patient care from diagnosis to treatment decisions, enables public health monitoring through targeted screening and prevention programs, advances research, and facilitates clinical trial enrollment. It also informs business decisions, such as knowing when to proactively hire more doctors or staff. However, when data isn't readily accessible—trapped in silos or scattered among multiple disconnected systems—it can't be effectively leveraged across the cancer service line to improve care.
Many traditional cancer registry data management workflows are not designed for real-time processing. Manual processes and daisy chains of software systems create bottlenecks that slow data release. Multiple data sources—pathology laboratories, hospital EHRs, radiology systems, physician practices, and vital records—add complexity when they don't communicate effectively with each other. They still require manual uploads into various systems and the result is delayed data availability and reduced value for clinical and operational decision-making.
True real-time data processing requires oncology informatics solutions that connect directly to data sources and process records as they become available. This approach to cancer registry automation represents a meaningful shift from traditional batch processing methods. Let's explore what true real-time processing looks like in practice and how it benefits the entire cancer service line.
Many cancer registry automation solutions tout “real-time" data processing, but as we will examine, that can mean something different for each system. Therefore, “real-time” must be clearly defined—only then do the differences between oncology informatics solutions become apparent. True real-time processing isn't simply making medical records available in an EHR for an oncology data specialist to access. Rather, it's about gaining actionable insights that flow seamlessly into the registry software without delay or manual intervention prior to data access (Figure 1).
Delays in clinical data processing are common in traditional registry workflows. For instance, registries often cannot access data until an ICD-10 code is applied—either manually or through computer-assisted coding (CAC) software—when it appears in the EHR system. Only then is the data accessible by HL7 electronic transfer to the registry software. Similarly, some registry software systems upload all reportable and non-reportable cases, requiring an extra manual step to filter out the non-reportable cases. Some systems depend on scheduled secure batch file transfers from data sources to generate a complete patient record or rely on a manual import of data from outside systems once available, or as a batch of records, on a scheduled basis.
True real-time data processing is only enabled by directly connecting to source systems and transferring data before coding occurs. Cancer detection and diagnosis cannot wait for the coding process to be completed. The medical report itself can provide critical information from the LIS, RIS, or HIS as soon as the clinician signs off, enabling access to data the moment it becomes available. This approach enables automatic processing of information for rapid and accurate casefinding, data extraction, and pre-population of reports without the delays inherent in traditional workflows.
True real-time cancer data processing delivers significant benefits that impact both patient care and operational performance.
When patients' pathology reports are available in real-time, their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan information are available and can be communicated with the patient faster. This enables oncology navigators to reach patients sooner and allows multi-disciplinary tumor boards to work with data captured in real-time. Real-time availability supports patient retention through improved navigation and tumor conferences. It also aids patient acquisition through targeted screening and prevention programs. Cancer centers can use real-time data to inform and improve active clinical programs, supporting more timely interventions and coordinated care.
Registry efficiency contributes directly to overall organizational operational efficiency. True real-time data harvesting enables immediate casefinding and automatic data abstraction directly from source reports just moments after they're finalized. This capability keeps reporting in line with accreditation requirements while significantly reducing backlogs and manual data processing errors that often plague traditional registry workflows.
True real-time cancer data processing unlocks the full value of registry data across the organization. Immediate access to structured oncology data allows cancer registries to quickly supply information to public health monitoring agencies, clinical trials advancing diagnostic and therapeutic development, and research initiatives supporting biomarker discovery.
True real-time data processing also supports cost-containment initiatives by reducing the burden of duplicative work while maintaining high-quality data standards, enabling registries to scale oncology data insights without hiring additional staff or finding replacements for vacant positions.
Inspirata's E-Path and E-Path Plus solutions are purpose-built for oncology applications, validated for trusted insights, and backed by more than 20 years of oncology expertise and innovation. These solutions utilize a hybrid approach to oncology informatics, employing artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLM) to process data directly from source systems.
Our hybrid AI approach combines rule-based methods and advanced inference algorithms to achieve rapid, high-fidelity data extraction from complex medical reports. Powered by NLP that understands diverse clinical document formats and enriched by a comprehensive oncology knowledge base, our system transforms unstructured information into structured, clinically meaningful data. Fast, scalable data processing is enhanced by LLMs to deliver accurate, actionable insights that support timely and support informed cancer care decisions.
Inspirata’s true real-time cancer registry solutions automate casefinding, data extraction, and reporting, enabling earlier patient treatment and expediting clinical research initiatives. With the implementation of automated solutions, registry teams are freed from tedious, error-prone manual processes that create stress and consume valuable time. Instead, oncology data specialists are empowered to focus on value-added tasks for the organization that require clinical expertise and judgment rather than repetitive data entry.
Contact us or request a demo to see how true real-time cancer data processing can increase the value of your oncology data.