Monitoring performance and improving outcomes: characteristics and outputs of Australian clinical registries

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious

Clinical registries function as long-term observational data collections linked to medical conditions, procedures, devices, or health services. The study evaluates current characteristics and outputs of Australian clinical registries. Using a cross-sectional survey of registries listed on the ACSQHC register as of 21 September 2023, the findings cover participation, maturity, registry type, funding, data collection practices, availability, and reporting outputs. Results show widespread use for research, publications, reports, and quality improvement activities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Survey of Australian clinical registries

Results

Participation and registry characteristics

Activities and data collection

Outputs and impacts

Conclusion

Research Article Monitoring performance and improving outcomes: characteristics and outputs of Australian clinical registries Health Information Management Journal 2026, Vol. 55(1) 43–50 © The Author(s) 2025 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/18333583251345039](DOI: 10.1177/18333583251345039)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/18333583251345039)[journals.sagepub.com/home/himj](journals.sagepub.com/home/himj) Susannah Ahern, MBBS(Hons), MBA, FRACMA, PhD 1 , Mohammad Amin Honardoost, PhD1 , Aruna Kartik, MBBS (India), MPH 1 , Eliza Chung, BSc, MPH 1 , Lachlan Dalli, PhD 1 , Tesfahun C Eshetie, PhD2,3, Cindy Turner, RN, RM, MPHC4, Michelle Merenda, BHSc(Hons) 1 and Stephen McDonald, MBBS(Hons), FRACP, PhD, AM5 Abstract Background: Clinical registries are long-term observational data collections relating to specific medical conditions, procedures, devices or health services. Objective: To assess current characteristics and outputs of clinical registries in Australia. Method: A cross-sectional survey design of Australian clinical registries listed on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) register as of 21 September 2023. Results: Of 107 clinical registries on the ACSQHC register that were contacted, 64 (60%) participated in the survey. Of these, 37 (58%) had been active for ⩾ 10 years, 38 (59%) were medical clinical registries and 35 (57%) received government funding. Clinical registry activities included research (92%), quality improvement (81%) and epidemiological monitoring (68%). Data were commonly patient-identifiable (64%) and collected by clinicians/staff (81%). A majority (55%) had real-time data available to contributing hospitals. Clinical registry outputs included providing data to researchers (97%), publications (83%), annual reports (69%) and site benchmarked reports (64%). Over half informed quality improvement activities (60%), monitored adherence to guidelines (59%) or informed policy or service planning (52%). Nearly half-supported clinical trials (49%), while one-fifth had integrated with government data frameworks. Conclusion: Australian clinical registries monitor health system performance across a breadth of clinical areas. A majority undertake regular public and hospital reporting and inform other quality improvement activities. Implications for health information management practice: Clinical registries interact with hospitals regarding their data collection and reporting activities. Health information management specialists have an important role in maximising registry data quality and therefore value to a wide variety of stakeholders. Keywords (MeSH) registries; delivery of health care; quality improvement Introduction Clinical registries are continuous data collection programs that seek to prospectively enrol all individuals with a particular diagnosis, or receiving a particular procedure or service, with the aim of understanding the natural history, trends in clinical practice and patient outcomes (Gliklich et al., 2020) . Clinical registries may also be established primarily for research purposes, or to monitor high-risk treatments and provide outcome data to regulatory agencies such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australian Government Department of Health, 2021) . Such data may be used to inform national regulatory approval and subsidisation decisions (Ahern et al., 2022) . Clinical quality registries (CQRs) are a type of clinical registry that has as its primary aim to monitor and report on processes and outcomes of clinical care for quality assurance and/or quality improvement purposes. When sufficiently mature, CQRs provide benchmarked reports to participating clinicians and/ or health care organisations to support shared clinical decision-making and drive clinical improvement (Australian 1 Monash University, Australia 2South Australian H

FAQs

What is the main objective of the study about Australian clinical registries?

To assess current characteristics and outputs of clinical registries in Australia.

How was data collected for the study?

Through a cross-sectional survey of Australian clinical registries listed on the ACSQHC register as of 21 September 2023.

Which activities and outputs were most commonly supported by the registries?

Registries commonly supported research, quality improvement, and epidemiological monitoring, and their outputs included providing data to researchers, publications, and annual or benchmarked reports. Many also informed quality improvement, guideline adherence, and policy or service planning.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious