Forum - Strategies for Data Quality

Hello NAACCR Data Quality Forum Members,

The Alaska Cancer Registry has just been told by our IT division that it is terminating all use of Microsoft Access in state government in 2025.  Supposedly this is because Microsoft is discontinuing support for this product, but I have not been able to independently confirm this in any online postings.  While all our essential databases are in MS SQL, we have many "ODBC" connections to our SQL databases via MS Access and we use MS Access extensively for ad hoc reports, global data updates, and data processing and manipulation.  Taking MS Access away from us would severely cripple our operations.  Do any other registries use MS Access?  If so, have you been told by your IT division that it will no longer let you use it in the near future?

Sincerely,
David O'Brien
Data Analyst, Alaska Cancer Registry

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David O'Brien, PhD, GISP
Data Analyst, Alaska Cancer Registry
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
3601 C Street, Suite 250
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-269-8047 (ph)
907-561-1896 (fax)
Email: david.obrien@alaska.gov
DSM: david.obrien@hss.soa.directak.net
https://health.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Pages/cancer/registry.aspx
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Hi David,

According to our IT Dept (n=1), Microsoft has said this is untrue, which sounds right to me. That said, if MS Access was discontinued it would not affect our call for data activities, but our staff do use Access for a couple of other purposes. We are also using it for our Time Sensitive Emergency Registry. For me, Access makes MS SQL more "accessible" for us mere mortals.

Randi

 

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Randi Rycroft
[CompanyName]
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