Data Warehouse Validation Update

ISD developers are working very closely with NHS Boards receiving and processing New Ways test data. One aspect of this work is the evaluation of the data validation rules for New Ways which originally appeared in Appendix 5 of the New Ways specification. It has become apparent through testing and through discussion with NHS Boards that some of the original validation, which was written long before there was any New Ways data to validate, is either no longer relevant or has been found to be restrictive at this time. As a result of these discussions, ISD have now taken action to remove or change some parts of the validation specification. A full list of these changes are listed in the document  'Data Validation Comparisons' is available on the New Ways website at http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4866.html .

These changes have also recently been communicated to New Ways lead contacts by e-mail on 14 December 2007.

 

Data Errors and Warnings

During the last few weeks of New Ways development, the main focus has shifted from PAS implementations to the extraction and validation of data. It may be of value to you and your New Ways team to consider what type of errors are being commonly encountered. The document 'Examples of Data Problems' available on the New Ways website http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4866.html  is by no means comprehensive but it highlights those data items where you too may experience issues. Each been classified as errors or warnings, although, as with everything in the New Ways programme, the arrival of real live data is identifying new issues every day which have to be addressed. Therefore these categories of errors or warnings may change with this experience, however we think sight of them now will be of value to you.

 

Calculation of Wait

An important aspect of the data testing is that it allows the verification of the data warehouse 'calculation of waiting times'. Given the rules and definitions surrounding New Ways, these calculations can be relatively complex. Now that ISD has had the opportunity to process test data from a few hospitals across Scotland, we are in a position to share the current version of the calculations of waiting time that will be used in the national warehouse. The Calculation of Wait (V0.4) published on 19 December 2007 can be found on the guidance section of the New Ways website at http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4581.html

The Calculation of Wait (V0.4) should be considered the final version and will be used in the national warehouse to form the basis of national publications, Business Objects reporting, ISD responses to information requests, etc. It is important to be aware that this version is expected to be reviewed in six months (end June 2008).

 

Timetable for Data Submission and Reporting

Under New Ways, the reporting of national inpatient, day case and consultant outpatient waiting times will be achieved through the capture of local waiting times information stored in a national data warehouse. This warehouse has been designed to facilitate local reporting and it is expected that many NHS Boards will take up this opportunity.

Centrally validated data will be loaded into the New Ways data warehouse following frequent submission of data extracts from local PAS's. NHS Boards will have almost immediate access to any data that they submit. For national reporting, ISD requires a period of stability to allow data analysis and quality assurance to take place. To accomplish this, ISD will take a ‘snapshot’ of the warehouse on the 7th and 21st of each month; these snapshots will be the sole source of data for all national analysis and reporting of waiting.

On the New Ways website guidance section is a letter issued on 28 November 2007 detailing the 2008 timetable for monthly data submission and quarterly publication: http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4581.html

 

Waiting Times Recording Manual

The Waiting Times Recording Manual guidance defines each of the data items which comprise the waiting times 'dataset' from 1January 2008 onwards. This manual should be used in conjunction with the 'Applying the Scottish Health Department Guidance'.  V0.1 of this document was published on the resources section of  the New Ways website on 18 December 2007. A fully formatted version will be available in January 2008: http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Waiting%20times%20
recording%20manual%20v01.pdf&pContentDispositionType=inline

 

Applying Guidance

An updated version of Applying Guidance (V03) has been published on the resources section of the New Ways website on 19 December 2007: http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4630.html . V03 takes account of the change to CNA as announced on 19 September and incorporates additional information to reflect equality duty. We will have copies of this publication available in January 2008 for distribution. For further information on receiving copies please contact newways@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk.

 

Visits to NHS Boards

Members of the New Ways team have recently undertaken some Board visits. Topics covered include the data submission and reporting timetable, extraction of data, calculation of wait, quality assurance project. These visits have proved extremely useful and we would like to ensure all Boards have an opportunity to meet with the team. Kate Harley's office will shortly be making contact with each Boards to discuss arranging a meeting.

 

New Ways Team - Contact Details over Festive Period

During the period 24 December - 7 January there will be members of the ISD New Ways team available on all days (excluding weekends and public holidays). Any enquiries regarding New Ways should initially be directed to the telephone number: 0131 275  6501.

And last but not least....

The New Ways team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.