Common use of Approach Clause in Contracts

Approach. In 2017, an impromptu workgroup was formed to tackle the issue of small numbers and determine what the general approach for handling data products that contain them would be. This initial effort was led by the agency’s Analytics, Interoperability and Measurement (AIM) team who had an immediate need for guidance in handling and sharing of data products containing small numbers. The result of that work was a set of Interim Small Numbers Guidelines, which required suppression of cells containing values of less than 10. In addition, data products that contain small numbers are considered Category 2 under HCA’s Data Classification Guidelines. In spring 2018, a new cross-divisional and chartered Small Numbers Workgroup was formed to develop a formal agency standard. Representatives from each of the major HCA divisions that produce data and analytic products were selected. The charter, complete with membership, can be found here (available to internal HCA staff only). The Workgroup considered other state agency standards, and national standards and methods when forming this standard. The Workgroup also consulted business users and managers to determine the potential impact of implementing a small numbers suppression standard. All of this information was processed and used to form the HCA Small Numbers Standard.