PARR case finding tool

'PARR ... provides PCTs with the chance to risk stratify a population through an easy-to-use algorithm, it has a non-technical user guide for users and best of all it’s free!’

Raj Bhatt, Leicester City PCT

The King’s Fund has released a ground-breaking software tool that helps PCTs use routine data to predict the risk of emergency re-admission to hospital.

The most recent version of the tool, PARR++, was released in November 2007 and is free to download or order on CD from this website.

The tool was commissioned by the Department of Health and developed with New York University and Health Dialog.

Many PCTs in England have found PARR very useful in their attempts to reduce emergency hospital admissions and allocate resources more effectively.

How does PARR work?

PARR – short for 'Patients At Risk of Re-hospitalisation' – is a software tool that can be run daily. When an individual is admitted to hospital the tool uses the patient’s recent admissions data (up to four years) to calculate the likelihood of re-admission over the next 12 months. This takes into account factors such as prior utilisation, diagnoses and socio-demographic information and gives a high rate of predictive accuracy.

A four-step guide to accessing and using PARR++

1. Watch a demo of PARR
See how the interface works and what the tool can do with our online demo.
Watch demo now

2. Read the Getting started guide
Get vital practical information about how to use the tool.
Download user guide now (143 kb)

3. Download or request a CD of PARR++
You may download PARR++ from this website, but the file is very large (168MB) and so may take a long time to download (you should allow around 25 minutes on average). If you prefer, you may request the tool on CD.

4. Your questions on the tool answered

Our frequently asked questions cover some common queries about using PARR++.
Download PARR++ FAQs (71 kb)
Share knowledge and discuss all issues relating to risk prediction (including the specifics of PARR++ and the Combined Model) with others in the field by registering on the Risk Prediction Network here.
Visit the Risk Prediction Network

Key contact

Natasha Curry, King's Fund
Email Natasha

PARR case-finding report

This report describes the development of the original PARR algorithms (2006). Some of the variables and coefficients have changed in the updated PARR++ tool. The user interface has also been updated.
Download PARR case finding report (780 kb)