Correcting Data: The Basics
The end of another Quarterly Data Quality (QDQ) cycle is at hand. The submission deadline is 14 November 2022. People are submitting the scores from the providers in their agencies. Sometimes these scores reflect an exhaustive effort to fix every detail of the data. Sometimes it is less than that, but all efforts are appreciated.
Whether for QDQ or some other reporting deadline, it may be worthwhile to review what Correcting Data looks like. In the most general terms, correcting data involves a few steps.
1. Schedule the report. Click this link to get complete instructions on scheduling reports.
2. Read through the report, look for any errors/flags (usually yellow highlighting, or red text, described by the key at the top of the page on the report).
3. Go to the client record(s) in HMIS, and correct the error listed on the report. This section of articles in the Knowledge Base is really helpful for how to correct errors.
4. Wait for a new warehouse build. Then, schedule the report again to confirm your corrections did fixed the problem. Click here to learn more about a Warehouse Build.
5. Submit your report to the funder/ or QDQ portal/ hold onto it for your records.
Keep in mind that some data that are highlighted in reports might look like errors, but they might just be highlighted so they can be confirmed. For example, a missing Social Security Number (SSN) might be highlighted for a client who is 12 years-old. If your agency has a policy of not collecting SSNs for minors, you can note in the narrative that this error cannot be fixed. The error may still count against the provider’s overall score, but your narrative will explain why it exists.
Participating in data clean up and improving the quality of the data can make a difference in how a person or family experiencing homelessness gets assistance. Regular efforts to keep data in good shape can provide accurate details to the story. Thank you for the work that you do to improve the data quality across Minnesota and in your communities.