December 2020
In this newsletter, you will find:
  • NAACCR v21 Update
  • Highlights from our RCRS Webinar
  • Impact the Patient Journey by Strengthening the Value of Cancer Registry Data
  • More Educational Webinars Coming in 2021
  • Celebrate National Caregiver Month
  • Internet Explorer No Longer Being Supported
  • November Employee Spotlight - Monica Guistwite
NAACCR v21 Update
2021 is almost here! In the cancer registry world, the start of a new year frequently brings change. 2021 is no different. All the standard setters have released their change requests and ERS has been working diligently to make this transition as seamless as possible.

For a detailed list of required changes, they can be found in the v21 Implementation Guideline published on the NAACCR web site.

NAACCR v21 will also introduce a new export file type called XML, which is replacing the current fixed width layout. This change in file type has a great impact on the registries that accept data files. CRStar will continue supporting the v18 layout to aid those reporting facilities whose central registries may not be ready to accept the XML format until later in 2021.

Stay tuned for updates, important announcements and webinar information as we deploy this upgrade.
Highlights from our RCRS Webinar
ERS Manager of Education, Christi Cox, CTR, recently co-presented an educational webinar with Dr. Frederick Greene, MD, FACS entitled, Embracing Change-Transition to RCRS. The webinar was presented on December 1, 2020.

Christi focused on the logistics and best practice guidelines, while Dr. Greene focused on the extraordinary value of the RCRS system and how it will improve patient care. The webinar was available to the entire cancer registry community and the attendance was record setting!

A big thanks to Dr. Greene, a huge supporter of cancer registry education, for his time and expertise. We look forward to future collaboration and presentations!

A recording of the webinar can be found on the CRStar Resource Page for users of CRStar. If you are not a CRStar user, please reach out to Christi Cox to receive a link to view the recording.
Impact the Patient Journey by Strengthening the Value of Cancer Registry Data
The field of cancer care is increasingly transitioning toward being more patient centered than it has ever been, driving growing collaboration between patients, clinical care teams, and other participants in the cancer program.

The Cancer Registry can play a big role in this movement, but our data collection has to be more timely and available. This is only possible through automation of data exchange with EMR and other related technologies. Approaches to data automation and data concurrency are no longer “nice to have,” but a “necessity,” particularly as demands on the Cancer Registry continue to increase with concurrent abstracting requirements and more frequent data reporting needs. This also gives us opportunities to definitely impact the patient's cancer journey - which is why we do this, right?

Automated data exchange can benefit your cancer program in the following areas:

  • Intelligent casefinding
  • Concurrent abstracting
  • RCRS requirements
  • Concurrent quality and research reporting

To learn more about automated data exchange, schedule a call with Melanie Rogan, CTR, Director of Registry Services, and Todd Carter, Manager, Technology and Implementation Services, by clicking the "Let's Talk" button below:
More Educational Webinars Coming in 2021
We anticipate 2021 will be a very exciting and informative year with regard to ERS education. Christi Cox, Manager of Education, is already hard at work planning topics for future webinars.

Her goal is to keep users abreast of changes from the standard setters, changes to the software and provide education on topics of interest to our clients to further enhance the user experience as well as to empower users to use the software to its full potential, while at the same time, providing value to the cancer program. Here are a few of our planned webinars.

  • First Quarter - V21 and STORE Changes
  • Second Quarter - Reporting Boot Camp
  • Third Quarter - Beyond Resources
Future Webinar Suggestions

What topics interest you for future webinars? If you have suggestions, please contact Christi Cox, Manager of Education at ccox@mycrstar.com with your wish list!
Celebrate National Caregiver Month
During 2020, we have devoted space in each monthly newsletter to discuss cancer awareness. While December does not have an assigned cancer site for awareness, it is, however, designated for Cancer Caregiver Awareness. As the year and this series on cancer awareness comes to an end, we would like to honor cancer caregivers.

We all are aware that a diagnosis of cancer can turn a patient and their family’s life upside down. The diagnosis, treatment and recovery can take a toll not just physically; but emotionally and financially. Cancer caregivers can be family members, friends and neighbors. Being a caregiver can be a fulltime job in itself and can be a drain on the caregiver’s resources as well. Caregivers must take care of themselves in order to cope with and support their loved ones.

In addition to resources available through the healthcare organization, there are many resources available on the Internet for caregivers, including online support groups, tips on caring for a cancer patient, case management and learning how to make resources work for you.

Below are a few websites with excellent information:


Throughout December and every day, let us honor and celebrate the hard work and sacrifice of the cancer caregiver!
Internet Explorer No Longer Being Supported
As many of you are aware, Microsoft has announced the end of support for their legacy browser - Internet Explorer (IE). Much of this change was driven by growing security concerns. Accordingly, ERS is also ending use and support of CRStar using IE.

If you have not already done so, we will require all users transition to one of our recommended browsers: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. While we have long oriented toward Google's Chrome browser, the new Microsoft Edge browser provides for an equivalent secure, issue-free experience. 
December Employee Spotlight - Monica Guistwite
This month the ERS Employee Spotlight shines on Monica Guistwite. Monica has been with ERS for almost seven years and she primarily leads CRStar product management and planning. She has a BA in Biology, a MS in Public Health Administration, and is also a Certified Tumor Registrar.

When asked what she likes most about working for ERS, she replied, “I really like the family feel and support we share for each other and the industry. Constant changes are part of this world, and I like that we all carry a passion to continuously learn and innovate!”

Monica lives with her husband and 10 year old daughter and three cats in Richmond, Texas. She really enjoys spending time outdoors as much as possible - hiking, camping, rollerblading and/or participating in an occasional Warrior Dash. Monica enjoys travel, even though this year has been an exception for many reasons. She is a Girl Scout leader and serves on her daughter’s school PTA Executive Board as Treasurer. Monica's hobbies include genealogy research, baking, building Metal Earth models and kickboxing. She is also an avid Disney and Star Wars fan.
Refer CRStar - Earn $200
A few months ago, ERS implemented a customer referral program. To date, several loyal CRStar users have earned a $200 gift card. You could be next!

Please click "Refer CRStar" below if you know of any Cancer Programs that could benefit from CRStar and the TLC all CRStar users enjoy and rely on. Should your referral become a CRStar user, you'll earn a $200 Gift Card.

Let's grow our CRStar community together!

Terms and conditions can be found on the CRStar Referral Form.
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Electronic Registry Systems, Inc. | 1.800.824.9020 | www.mycrstar.com
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