Thoracic surgery clinics
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Administrative data are less accurate and relevant than specialty-specific, procedure-specific, risk-adjusted data collected in voluntary registries such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD). Voluntary clinical databases must be proven accurate and complete before they are accepted as credible information sources. ⋯ The audit process is essential in validating data quality and adding credibility and value to volunteer clinical registries. It serves as an important tool for improvement of patient care.