Ensure interRAI assessment data quality

From the time it is collected until the time it is shared and used, data passes through many hands. Fostering a quality-oriented culture along the data supply chain can help people detect issues early in the process, avoiding costly fixes. 

Collecting accurate information in the assessment leads to efficiencies and better decisions, which provides a better quality of care.

Quality data helps to

• Support health care management
• Inform public policy
• Build public awareness about factors that affect health

Learn how quality data can be used to improve health care: CIHI Data Helps Battle Depression

Data quality checks help to

• Monitor and demonstrate the activity compliance, including timeliness of submissions
• Track submission activities (number of record submissions accepted, rejected or deleted in the Integrated interRAI Reporting System [IRRS])
• Measure and monitor outcomes after data quality initiatives have been implemented

Data quality activities should be monitored on an ongoing basis. In addition, data quality procedures should be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.

To support continuous improvement, it is recommended that your organization use data quality reports. These reports should be made available in the vendor solution as discussed on the vendor solution considerations web page. 

Data quality reports complement IRRS real-time error notification by identifying common errors and flagging missing longitudinal records, such as assessment or discharge information for a person for a specified period.