SPARRA
Welcome to the SPARRA home page, featuring the latest news of SPARRA and its development. For more information about the SPARRA tool, please see the links on the left of the page.
For those new to SPARRA, please see the SPARRA FAQ web page for a basic introduction.
SPARRA Risk Prediction Event
14th February 2012
The registration form and provisional programme 
[73KB] for the national one-day SPARRA Risk Prediction event on 15th March are now available for download. Please return the completed form to Carol-Ann.Gray@scotland.gsi.gov.uk by 3rd March.
SPARRA Version 3 - January Release
2nd February 2012
The January 2012 SPARRA lists - the first to be based on the new Version 3 algorithm - are scheduled for release early this month.
For further information on the development of SPARRA Version 3 and details of how the changes to the algorithm impact users of SPARRA data, please refer to the SPARRA Version 3 web page.
SPARRA Risk Prediction Event
26th January 2012
ISD, in conjunction with the Joint Improvement Team (JIT), are organising a national one-day SPARRA - Risk Prediction event. The day will be chaired by Dr. Anne Hendry, National Clinical Lead for Quality, and held at the Scottish Health Services Centre in Edinburgh on 15th March 2012.
To register an interest in the event and to receive the provisional programme and registration details as soon as they are available, please e-mail nss.isdLTC@nhs.net with "Event" in the subject box. Current recipients of the SPARRA newsletter will automatically receive this information.
SPARRA Version 3 - Report
27th October 2011
A report on the development of the SPARRA Version 3 algorithm detailing the methodology, data sources used, risk factors identified, and model performance is now available.
Link to report 
[161KB]
SPARRA Version 3 - Piloting Underway
15th September 2011
Development work on the new enhanced SPARRA algorithm (Version 3) is complete. This new version of SPARRA is based on a cohort of patients derived from linking hospitalisation (SMR01), prescribing, A&E, psychiatric inpatient (SMR04) and outpatient data. This will allow more patients at risk to be identified, particularly those who have not had a recent emergency inpatient admission, giving improved coverage. Furthermore, the additional historical data about each patient will improve the discriminatory power of the algorithm, offering increased accuracy.
The focus is now on piloting and implementation of the new version of the tool. A number of localities have recently received SPARRA lists, derived using the new algorithm and based on the April 2011 to March 2012 prediction year, for their review and comment. This activity is planned to complete in October. In the meantime work has commenced on the re-development of the quarterly SPARRA process in order to incorporate the additional datasets and new algorithm.
SPARRA Version 3 is planned to go live in January 2012. October 2011 will therefore be the final run of the current SPARRA “All Ages” algorithm.
Main Contact: Mark Sanderson
SPARRA Online - Now Live
15th September 2011
User Acceptance Testing of SPARRA Online has been completed and the system is now live. Early implementers have been identified and roll-out of the system is underway.
ISD recognises that the way SPARRA Online is used will vary from Board to Board and that the support and training provided by ISD during roll-out of the system will need to be tailored to each Board's needs. The ISD SPARRA team will be in touch with all Boards/CHPs over the coming months to discuss their requirements and to support roll-out of SPARRA Online in their locality.
Main Contacts: Mark Sanderson
Ken Nicholson
Enhanced SPARRA Algorithm - Update
12th April 2011
An enhanced SPARRA algorithm was developed shortly before Christmas using prescribing and hospitalisation data. Further work is now ongoing to extend this algorithm based on a longer period of prescribing history and with the possible inclusion of A&E data.
It is proposed to commence piloting of the new algorithm with a number of localities in June.
Main Contact: Mark Sanderson
SPARRA Online - UAT Underway
12th April 2011
User Acceptance Testing of SPARRA Online is currently underway. Rollout of SPARRA Online is planned to commence on a regional basis shortly after completion of UAT. It is hoped that all Boards in Scotland will be able to access their SPARRA data using this system by the end of the year.
Main Contact: Mag McFadden
SPARRA Usage Survey Report Published
7th February 2011
Phase I of the SPARRA usage survey is now complete.
Some highlights...
- 72% of respondents distribute SPARRA data to all or some GP practices
- 30% supplement with local data on specific patient groups.
A report summarising all the main results can be found in the Use of SPARRA page.
Phase II of this work, which involves follow-up with localities of interest, is now commencing. Results will be published here when available.
Main Contact: Richard Hunter
