What is the purpose of a Re-Abstracting Audit?

The purpose of a Re-Abstracting Audit is to compare original source documents to coded data. This process involves selecting a sample of cases that have already been abstracted and re-evaluating them against the original medical records. The primary goal is to ensure that the coding and abstraction processes are accurate and consistent. This kind of audit serves as a quality control measure, allowing cancer registries to verify that the information recorded in the registry aligns with the actual clinical data. When discrepancies are found, it provides an opportunity for staff training and corrections, thereby improving overall data quality and reliability in cancer registry practices. This aligns with the essential functions of registries in maintaining highly accurate and complete medical records used for research, treatment tracking, and public health initiatives.