ODS EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Pareto Chart: data-driven tool: a bar graph whose bars are drawn in decreasing order of frequency or relative
frequency; 80/20 (often 80% of the outcome results from 20% of the causes)
2. Histogram: data-driven tool: a vertical bar graph depicting a frequency distribution
3. Run Charts and Control Charts: data-driven tool: a run chart is a line graph with data plotted over
time to identify variations (i.e. commute to work, time taken to complete an abstract); control charts are run charts that include
control limits.
4. Scatter Plot Graph: data-driven tool: a graph of plotted points that show the relationship between two
continuous variables that do not depend on each other where the line is not connected. Independent (horizontal axis) and
dependent (vertical axis). (i.e. ODS cont ed hours vs number of abstracts completed)
-positive correlation looks like a slash (low left, high right), negative looks like a backward slash, and no correlation is a
jumble of dots
5. cause and effect diagram (fishbone diagram): idea-driven tool - a diagram that relates a key
performance problem (head) to its potential causes (bones). Also called Ishikawa
6. Check Sheet: idea-driven tool - document occurrences of an event over time (i.e. central registry calling
patients for study)
7. Flow Chart: idea-driven tool - diagram of multi-step processes used to identify redundancies or delays; depicts a
starting and ending point and the steps between the two
8. The 3 Most Common Methods for Quality Improvement: PDSA/PDCA, DMAIC,
Lean Plan, Do, Study (Check), Act- rapid-cycle processes, performed repetitively in a short period of time
Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve & Control- for larger projects in need of careful, thorough planning
Lean-reducing/eliminating waste (7 areas)
9. Quality Assurance (QA): measures the accuracy of the data
10. Quality Improvement (QI): examines the causes/processes behind the inaccuracies and the changes
that can be implemented to reduce errors
11. Central Registries - Flow: -Receive funding from and report data to either CDC NPCR, NCI SEER or both
,-A registry is never required to enter into a data use agreement to share de-identified data, but the registry may require the
recipient to enter one to access files with disclosure risk
12. Cancer Committee Required Non-Physician Members: -CA program administrator (ad-
min & budget)
-Oncology nurse
-Social worker
-CTR/ODS
, 13. Cancer Committee Required Physician Members: Cancer Committee
Chair CoC liaison physician & at least one physician representing each of the dx & tx services:
pathol
ogy
diagno
stic
radiolo
gy
surger
y
oncology
rad onc (if on statt)
14. Role of ODS in Cancer Committee: Cancer Conference
Coordinator Cancer Registry Quality Coordinator
15. SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program): data collection
began 1973; geographic areas are selected for inclusion in the SEER program based on their ability to operate &
maintain high quality population based cancer reporting system
16. Cancer Committee Members Strongly Recommended but not Required: spe-
cialty
physici
ans
register
ed
dieticia
n
pastor
al care
1. Pareto Chart: data-driven tool: a bar graph whose bars are drawn in decreasing order of frequency or relative
frequency; 80/20 (often 80% of the outcome results from 20% of the causes)
2. Histogram: data-driven tool: a vertical bar graph depicting a frequency distribution
3. Run Charts and Control Charts: data-driven tool: a run chart is a line graph with data plotted over
time to identify variations (i.e. commute to work, time taken to complete an abstract); control charts are run charts that include
control limits.
4. Scatter Plot Graph: data-driven tool: a graph of plotted points that show the relationship between two
continuous variables that do not depend on each other where the line is not connected. Independent (horizontal axis) and
dependent (vertical axis). (i.e. ODS cont ed hours vs number of abstracts completed)
-positive correlation looks like a slash (low left, high right), negative looks like a backward slash, and no correlation is a
jumble of dots
5. cause and effect diagram (fishbone diagram): idea-driven tool - a diagram that relates a key
performance problem (head) to its potential causes (bones). Also called Ishikawa
6. Check Sheet: idea-driven tool - document occurrences of an event over time (i.e. central registry calling
patients for study)
7. Flow Chart: idea-driven tool - diagram of multi-step processes used to identify redundancies or delays; depicts a
starting and ending point and the steps between the two
8. The 3 Most Common Methods for Quality Improvement: PDSA/PDCA, DMAIC,
Lean Plan, Do, Study (Check), Act- rapid-cycle processes, performed repetitively in a short period of time
Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve & Control- for larger projects in need of careful, thorough planning
Lean-reducing/eliminating waste (7 areas)
9. Quality Assurance (QA): measures the accuracy of the data
10. Quality Improvement (QI): examines the causes/processes behind the inaccuracies and the changes
that can be implemented to reduce errors
11. Central Registries - Flow: -Receive funding from and report data to either CDC NPCR, NCI SEER or both
,-A registry is never required to enter into a data use agreement to share de-identified data, but the registry may require the
recipient to enter one to access files with disclosure risk
12. Cancer Committee Required Non-Physician Members: -CA program administrator (ad-
min & budget)
-Oncology nurse
-Social worker
-CTR/ODS
, 13. Cancer Committee Required Physician Members: Cancer Committee
Chair CoC liaison physician & at least one physician representing each of the dx & tx services:
pathol
ogy
diagno
stic
radiolo
gy
surger
y
oncology
rad onc (if on statt)
14. Role of ODS in Cancer Committee: Cancer Conference
Coordinator Cancer Registry Quality Coordinator
15. SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program): data collection
began 1973; geographic areas are selected for inclusion in the SEER program based on their ability to operate &
maintain high quality population based cancer reporting system
16. Cancer Committee Members Strongly Recommended but not Required: spe-
cialty
physici
ans
register
ed
dieticia
n
pastor
al care
