Dataset Creation

The initial dataset was created at the Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology of Queen’s University. It included ocr data for hpc patients (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, version 9, codes 148.0–148.9)—that is, demographics, hospitalizations, and vital status—and the Oncology Patient Information System (cancer treatment). The dataset was then migrated to the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ices) for linkages to the Discharge Abstract Database (hospitalizations, treatments, and outcomes) and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (billing data for surgery, rt, chemotherapy, and other procedures), thus creating the clinical story for each anonymized patient. As an independent, non-profit research organization, ices is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. To protect the privacy of personal health information, datasets relating to 5 or fewer subjects cannot be reported.