Results of a Distance-Learning Tutorial for Brazilian Centers on How to Insert Data in the CIBMTR Registry

Abstract

Background: Almost 175 Hematopoietic stem cell transplants are done at our centre each year in a team comprising of 5 physicians. Maintaining the data manually of all these patients, year by year, accurately is a herculean task. Consolidation of this data with the help of prescription records from out patient's cards, phone calls & e-mail is done on a regular basis. We also introduced a Transplant Meeting every fortnightly helping us collect follow-up information more accurately. Methods: Outpatient prescriptions of transplant patients were scanned and data entered into our database on a regular basis. Communications to patients were done regularly by phone calls, email and social media like facebook & whatsapp for their current status. We started a transplant meeting every 2 weeks to improve the accuracy of our database. All consultants, transplant nurses, data manager and coordinators were part of this meeting. Patients were divided in two groups: 1stpatient's upto day +100 and 2nd beyond day +100. All events including CMV reactivation, GvHD, relapse & death were discussed. Reminders were sent for timing of post transplant vaccination. Results: With the practice of regular transplant meetings the data was streamlined. Scanning out patient's prescriptions also helped to follow important pending laboratory reports, informing assigned physicians for early intervention and management if required helped to improve patient care. Conclusion: Regular follow-up post transplant is essential in order to ensure efficacy and safety of stem cell transplant including quality of life. Various modalities are imperative for accurate and updated follow-up data entry.