Data Timeliness

Data is timely when the span of time between the occurrence of a real world event and its appearance in the data is short enough that the occurrence can be included in data analysis and reports. In this case, the date the real world event occurred is the Date of Service (DOS) of the encounter, and the date when the event is considered part of the data is the Submission Date or Paid Date. The number of calendar days between those dates is the “lag time”. Data completeness and data timeliness are closely related, but not identical. If the average lag time is excessive, even if data completeness is eventually achieved, it becomes difficult to use the data for timely analysis and reporting.