Pattern Detection Configuration & Aesthetics

SPC patterns can be displayed and formatted in this section.

Type of Change to Flag

This setting determines whether improvement and deterioration are both flagged, or only one of these directions are flagged. These apply across all the enabled patterns. The various options can be selected in the drop down menu:

  • Both - Both improvement and deterioration patterns are highlighted (default)
  • Improvement - Only improvement patterns are highlighted
  • Deterioration - Only deterioration patterns are highlighted

To use these with the conditional formatting, the values must be set to only both, improvement and deterioration respectively.

This setting should be used in conjunction with the Improvement Direction setting below. With a Neutral improvement direction there is no improvement or deterioration to choose between, so patterns on both sides are always highlighted.

Improvement Direction

This setting determines which direction is deemed to be the improvement direction for the measure. That is, the measure is getting better in this direction. The various options can be selected in the drop down menu:

  • Increase - The measure increasing is a favourable outcome, and signals improvement in the measure (default).
  • Neutral - There is no direction set, and the measure increasing or decreasing does not signal improvement or deterioration. This setting is used to detect any statistical variation.
  • Decrease - The measure decreasing is a favourable outcome, and signals improvement in the measure.

To use these with the conditional formatting, the values must be set to only increase, neutral and decrease respectively.

This setting should be used in conjunction with the Type of Change to Flag setting above.

Highlight all in Pattern

This toggle applies to the two-in-three pattern. When off (the default), only the points beyond the warning limit are highlighted. When on, every point in the three-point window is highlighted, except any point beyond the opposite warning limit. Shifts and trends always highlight every point in the pattern.

Common Pattern Options

Each pattern (Astronomical Points, Shifts, Trends and Two-In-Three) has its own group of settings: a toggle to highlight it, colours for improvement, deterioration and neutral (low and high) points, and the settings specific to that pattern. These are listed under All Settings. The default colours are consistent with the NHS theme.

Shift Points

Sets the number of points required in order to detect a shift. The default is seven.

Trend Points

Sets the number of points required in order to detect a trend. The default is five.

All Settings

General

Setting Description Default Values
Type of Change to Flag Which changes are flagged. Ignored when the improvement direction is neutral. Both • Both (both)
• Improvement (improvement)
• Deterioration (deterioration)
Improvement Direction Whether higher or lower values are better. Neutral flags both sides in the neutral colours. Increase • Increase (increase)
• Neutral (neutral)
• Decrease (decrease)

Astronomical Points

Setting Description Default Values
Highlight Astronomical Points Flags points beyond the chosen limit. Off On or Off
Limit for Astronomical Points Limit a point must be beyond. Specification needs the specification lines shown. 3 Sigma • 1 Sigma
• 2 Sigma
• 3 Sigma
• Specification
Imp. Ast. Colour Colour for astronomical points that are an improvement. #00B0F0 Colour
Det. Ast. Colour Colour for astronomical points that are a deterioration. #E46C0A Colour
Neutral (Low) Ast. Colour Colour for points beyond the lower limit when the improvement direction is neutral. #490092 Colour
Neutral (High) Ast. Colour Colour for points beyond the upper limit when the improvement direction is neutral. #490092 Colour

Shifts

Setting Description Default Values
Highlight Shifts Flags runs of points on one side of the centreline. Off On or Off
Shift Points Points needed for a shift; points on the centreline neither count nor break it. 7 Whole number, at least 1
Imp. Shift Colour Colour for shifts that are an improvement. #00B0F0 Colour
Det. Shift Colour Colour for shifts that are a deterioration. #E46C0A Colour
Neutral (Low) Shift Colour Colour for shifts below the centreline when the improvement direction is neutral. #490092 Colour
Neutral (High) Shift Colour Colour for shifts above the centreline when the improvement direction is neutral. #490092 Colour

Two-In-Three

Setting Description Default Values
Highlight Two-in-Three Flags two of three consecutive points beyond the same warning limit. Off On or Off
Highlight all in Pattern Also flags the third point in the window, unless it is beyond the opposite limit. Off On or Off
Warning Limit for Two-in-Three Limit the points must be beyond. Specification needs the specification lines shown. 2 Sigma • 1 Sigma
• 2 Sigma
• 3 Sigma
• Specification
Imp. Two-in-Three Colour Colour for two-in-three points that are an improvement. #00B0F0 Colour
Det. Two-in-Three Colour Colour for two-in-three points that are a deterioration. #E46C0A Colour
Neutral (Low) Two-in-Three Colour Colour for two-in-three patterns at the lower limit when the improvement direction is neutral. #490092 Colour
Neutral (High) Two-in-Three Colour Colour for two-in-three patterns at the upper limit when the improvement direction is neutral. #490092 Colour