Throughout the study period, case records were routinely ascertained from defined multiple sources, with careful matching and validation.
Death status was not routinely ascertained for persons with campylobacteriosis, although 1 death from campylobacteriosis and 11 deaths from concurrent conditions were recorded.
NCCC-SEER, which routinely ascertains vital status via California State mortality tapes and the National Death Index, provided vital status for the study subjects in December 2002 [ 1].
The outcome variables were death due to breast cancer and death due to nonbreast cancer causes, as routinely ascertained by SEER and as defined by the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, codes 174.0 174.9 for deaths occurring between 1983 through 1998, and by the International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, code C509 for deaths occurring in 1999.
Unfortunately, data on the number of cultures taken during the study were not routinely collected to ascertain the impact of this aspect of clinical practice on case ascertainment.
In both clinics, only one third of patients were routinely followed to ascertain optimal outcomes (Table 2).
All clinical laboratories in these areas were routinely contacted to ascertain cases.
Enumeration of CTC is routinely used to ascertain the prognosis and monitor response to cancer treatments [ 4].
Melt curve analysis of all samples was routinely performed to ascertain that only the expected products had been generated.
In order to provide valid estimates of cancer survival, a high percentage of cancer cases must be routinely followed to ascertain both vital status and date of last contact.
Therefore, bacteriological assessment, particularly for total coliforms or faecal coliforms, is routinely carried out to ascertain the quality and potability of water.
