105. Mass. Code Regs. 301.035. - Quality Assurance

In order to assure the quality of the data submitted to the Cancer Registry, the health care facility and provider must allow the Cancer Registry to inspect and copy portions of a patient’s medical record to verify the accuracy and completeness of the submitted data.  A health care facility of provider is required to provide to the Cancer Registry to inspection and copying only the following:

1. Reports of tissue analyses to determine whether there is malignant disease or benign brain related tumor;
2. Reports of x-rays or other radiological exams performed to determine whether there is malignant disease or benign brain related tumor;
3. Reports of diagnoses of malignant disease or benign brain related tumor, including medical notes; 
4. Parts of the medical record that have specific information that is required to be reported under 105 MA ADC 301.015.

A health care facility of provider can provide the Cancer Registry with parts of a patient’s medical record that are not specified explicitly above, but they must be deleted or masked.

The Cancer Registry cannot recopy the medical record it receives from health care facilities or providers.  The Cancer Registry must keep the portions of the medical records it has in a secure area with restricted access only to the Cancer Registry.  Once the Cancer Registry has verified or corrected the submitted data, the portions of the medical record in its possession must be destroyed.