User Population/Workload Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are a number of possible explanations for this:

1. Misunderstanding Any opinion of what the count should be is likely based on local reports. Refer to the section “Why doesn’t it match my local (RPMS Patient Registration) report? ” for a description of why numbers can generally be expected to vary.

2. Data Not Received by the NDW If the NPIRS reported numbers are low compared to your locally available reports, first make sure NPIRS has received and processed all of the files you have submitted in time to be included in the current report. Refer to the Timeline for Transmittal of Workload Data and Production of User Pop Estimates [PDF - 1882Kb]. Also, ensure that there are no gaps in your submissions. Both of these issues can be checked using the Export Tracking Mart. It is possible that not all of your registrations/visits were included in the export to NPIRS. The RPMS export process, for example, skips some records intentionally and others due to errors. The person who creates and transmits your exports should be checking for/following up on any registrations/visits skipped due to error. Refer to the RPMS Data Warehouse Export System (BDW) User Manual [PDF - 176Kb].

3. Data Not Processed by the NDW There is a remote possibility that the NDW could have rejected a registration/visit that was sent. The Post Load report, sent by the NDW after a file is processed, has a place to indicate rejects. A description of the Post Load report can be found in the NDW Export Tracking DataMart User Guide [PDF - 780Kb]

4. Data Not Countable If NPIRS has received and processed all of your registrations/visits, there may be problems preventing them from being counted. The NDW provides data quality reports that will point out registration problems.  The reports are described in the NDW Data Quality Mart User Guide [PDF - 1012Kb]

The reports themselves are only available to the Area Statistical Officers. If you believe you have a problem, please have your Area Statistical Officer check these reports and provide you with an extract if appropriate.
If no registration problems have been identified, it is likely the person was not considered ‘Active’ because none of their associated visits were considered “workload-reportable.” Check the Data Quality Workload reports as well .