SCDB Mission & Vision

Mission

To establish and maintain a comprehensive, high-quality cardiovascular data repository that supports evidence-based practice, clinical research and quality improvement in cardiovascular care across Singapore.

Vision

To be Asia's premier cardiovascular registry, transforming patient outcomes through world-class data insights that drive clinical excellence and reduce heart disease mortality across the region.

Core Objectives

The registry is guided by the following core objectives:

• Collect standardized, high-quality data on cardiovascular conditions and procedures
• Monitor and improve the quality of cardiac care delivery
• Facilitate national and international benchmarking
• Inform healthcare policy and resource allocation
• Support cardiovascular research

Data Collection

Coverage and Scope

The SCDB collects comprehensive data on:

• Cardiovascular Conditions and Procedures: Adult Angiography & Angioplasty (Cath/PCI), Heart Failure (HF), Ablation & Pacemaker, Cardiac Surgery, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)
• Patient Demographics: Age, Sex, Comorbidities
• Clinical Characteristics: Presentation, Symptoms, Investigations
• Treatment Details: Medications, Interventions
• Outcomes: Complications, Mortality and Morbidity, Follow-up outcomes

Data Quality Assurance

The SCDB implements rigorous quality control measures:

• Standardized data definitions aligned with international standards
• Automated data validation checks
• Training programmes for data coordinators
• Periodic third-party data quality audits and completeness assessments to ensure a minimum of 95% agreement for critical fields

Data Standards

SCDB adheres to internationally recognised data standards, including:

• Alignment to the American College of Cardiology - National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR) data dictionaries
• EuroHeart data standards
• Standardised outcome measures and definitions

Data Submission

Data Flow Structure

SCDB receives data submissions from all participating institutions across Singapore. Currently, the main office is located in National Heart Centre Singapore. The centralised data collection ensures standardisation and consistency in cardiovascular data management.

Participating Institutions

• NHCS: National Heart Centre Singapore (Main Coordinating Site)
  
• AH: Alexandra Hospital
  
• CGH: Changi General Hospital
• KTPH: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
• NTFGH: Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
• NUHCS: National University Heart Centre, Singapore
• SGH: Singapore General Hospital
• SKH: Sengkang General Hospital
• TTSH: Tan Tock Seng Hospital
• WH: Woodlands Health

Data Submission Process

All participating institutions submit their data to SCDB, which serves as the central hub for data consolidation, validation, and integration. This streamlined process ensures:

• Consistent data standards across all institutions
• Centralised quality control and validation
• Efficient data management and reporting
• Comprehensive national-level cardiovascular surveillance

Governance & Data Management

Organisational Structure

The SCDB operates under a robust governance framework:

• Governance Committee: Provides oversight, approvals and direction
• Data Management Team: Oversees the maintenance and integrity of databases, as well as data collection, quality assurance, validation, and analysis activities

Data Security and Privacy

Patient privacy and data security are paramount:

• Compliance with Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)
• De-identified data for consolidation and reporting
• Secure data storage and access controls
• Regular security audits and updates
• Strict data access protocols and user authentication

Ethics and Regulatory Compliance

The SCDB operates under strict ethical and regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible data collection, management, and sharing:

• SCDB operates under Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review Not Required (RNR) category, reflecting its primary function as a clinical quality improvement and audit registry using de-identified data.
• Full compliance with Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) requirements, including data sharing arrangements, data minimisation principles, and individual rights protection.
• Comprehensive Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) conducted to identify and mitigate privacy risks associated with data processing activities.
• Formal data sharing agreements established with all participating institutions and collaborators.
• Regular reviews of ethical and regulatory compliance measures to ensure continued adherence to evolving standards and requirements.

Data Access

Data access is granted to approved parties via a formal application process, subject to review and approval by the Governance Committee.

International Collaboration and Accreditation

To support international accreditation, benchmarking and quality assurance activities, SCDB shares selected de-identified, programme related data with recognised international cardiology professional societies, including the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Relevant data submitted to APHRS and ESC are published in the APHRS White Book and Euroheart Report, accessible at:

APHRS Whitebook

Euroheart Reports

Research & Collaboration

Research Opportunities

SCDB supports research activities in cardiology. Some research opportunities are available only to participating members, while other collaborative opportunities may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Enquiries regarding eligibility and ongoing research initiatives may be directed to the SCDB point of contact.

SCDB data supports various initiatives including:

• Clinical audit and service evaluation studies
• Risk stratification and prognostic modelling
• Longitudinal follow-up and outcome assessment studies
• Safety and complication monitoring
• Quality improvement studies
• Registry-based clinical research and benchmarking studies
• National registries (e.g. SingCLOUD)

More details regarding the SingCLOUD programme can be found at the SingCLOUD Programme page.

Collaborations and Academic Partnerships

SCDB collaborates with:

• Local public healthcare institutions
• International networks, including EuroHeart, Asia Pacific Evaluation of Cardiovascular Therapies (ASPECT), etc.

Publications and Impact

SCDB-based research and collaboration contributes to:

• Peer-reviewed journal publications
• National and international conference presentations
• Healthcare policy development
• Public health reports and statistics

Audit Meetings

SCDB organises regular national audit meetings throughout the year to review cardiovascular care quality, share best practices, and facilitate collaboration among participating institutions. These meetings serve as a platform for participating institutions to present their own data for several key purposes:

• Professional accountability and transparency of patient outcomes and practice standards
• Benchmarking against national standards to maintain high standards of patient care
• Peer learning and knowledge exchange to foster continuous professional development

The various audit meetings conducted include Adult Angiography & Angioplasty (Cath/PCI), Heart Failure (HF), Ablation & Pacemaker, Cardiac Surgery, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), amongst others.

Contact Information