Every item on the SEER*Abs menus can be accessed via keyboard shortcuts. In addition, items on the Show menu can be accessed via toolbar icons. When logged on as a standard user, the toolbar includes four items – Worklist, Editor, Search, and Synchronization. The menus and tools for the standard user are described in this manual. The Configuration, Users, and Log tools are only shown when logged on as the administrative user and are described in the SEER*Abs System Administration reference.
File Menu
Shortcut
Menu Item
Alt+F, arrows
New Abstract – opens a blank abstract record in the editor
Alt+F, arrows
New – SEER*Abs can be configured to create records other than abstract and casefinding. If your system administrator configured SEER*Abs to allow data entry of other record types, they will also be listed in the File menu.
Ctrl+Shift+P
Search Patient Data – opens the Patient Data tab of the Search page. The search filters are reset.
Ctrl+Shift+F
Search Facilities – opens the Facility tab on the Search page. The search filters are reset.
Ctrl+Shift+Y
Search Physicians – opens the Physician tab on the Search page. The search filters are reset.
Ctrl+Shift+D
SEER*Rx – opens the SEER*Rx drugs on the Search page.
Ctrl+Shift+I
Hematopoietic Database – opens the Hematopoietic Diseases database on the Search page.
Alt+F, arrows
Backup Main Database – creates a backup of the data stored in the main SEER*Abs database. Data entered in SEER*Abs, changes made to AFLs, and changes made to the user list are stored in the main database. Reference data are not stored in the main database and are not included in this backup.
Alt+F, arrows
Restore Main Database –overwrites the main database using a previously created backup. You will be prompted to select the backup from your hard disk or network.
Import Reference Database – updates the reference data from a database created by the system administrator. You will be prompted to select the main DB folder containing the reference data (a default folder may have been set in your registry’s configuration).
Alt+F, arrows
Recreate Indexes – ensures that database indexes and tables are in sync. Indexes are used by SEER*Abs to optimize database searches.
Recreating the indexes will ensure that the indexes and database are in sync. It is a good first step to try if you notice odd results in searches or when filtering. It should be very rare that this would need to be done.
Alt+F, arrows
Package Application for Technical Support – creates a compressed file containing the files required by the Technical Support staff to track down an issue. Use this option only if requested by Technical Support.
Alt+F, arrows
Set Current Facility – allows you to change the Current Facility used throughout SEER*Abs. You may select a facility or set Current Facility to none. Current Facility is used as the default facility in the worklist and, depending on your registry’s configuration, it may be used as a default value for some data entry fields. It may also be used in scripts that create extracts, download data from your registry database, or perform other functions. Consult the SEER*Abs system administrator at your registry to determine the ways in which Current Facility is used.
Alt+F, arrows
Change Password –allows you to specify a new password.
Alt+F, arrows
Login as a Different User – allows you to login with a different username.
Alt+F, arrows
Preferences – displays the User Preferences dialog.
Ctrl+Shift+Q
Exit – closes SEER*Abs. You will be prompted to save any unsaved changes.
Show Menu
Toolbar Icon
Shortcut
Menu Item
F1
Worklist – opens or returns you to the SEER*Abs worklist. When you first login, the worklist filters are set to show outstanding abstracting tasks (AFLs) for the current facility. AFLs for all facilities will be displayed if you do not select a current facility.
F2
Editor - allows you to create new records. Abstract and casefinding record layouts are defined for most registries; a short abstract layout is supported but is only available if defined in your registry’s configuration.
F3
Search – opens the Search page. If you have used the Search page in this session, the filters and results most recently displayed are restored.
Use this to search patient, facility, and physician data in the SEER*Abs database. These reference data are extracted from the registry’s main database or loaded from external files during synchronization. Scripts maintained in the registry’s Configuration determine the contents of the reference data.
F4
Synchronization – allows users to update SEER*Abs with data from the registry’s data management system; and create extracts to update the registry’s data management system.
Input Folder – displays the input folder (default folder used to import data files)
Output Folder – displays the output folder (default folder used to create extracts)
Action Menu
Shortcut
Menu Item
Alt+A, arrows
Purge Archived Data – deletes archived AFLs and/or records older than that are older than a period of time defined in registry configuration settings. Note: This feature may be hidden in your registry’s configuration.
Alt+A, arrows
Your registry’s system administrator can customize the Action menu. Other actions may be listed. If your registry’s configuration does not support any actions, the Action menu will not be displayed.
Help Menu
Shortcut
Menu Item
Ctrl+Shift+H
User Manual – displays this document.
Ctrl+Shift+T
Keyboard Shortcuts – displays a list of keyboard shortcuts. Global shortcuts and shortcuts specific to the current page will be listed.
Alt+H, arrows
Coding Manuals – Some of the SEER, NAACCR, FORDS, and Collaborative Staging coding manuals have been distributed with SEER*Abs and can be opened via the Help menu.
