What to do when you drop the ball

[AGDee]

Michelle,

I do computer network support for a biostatistics and research epidemiology department. We have a double data entry system and most NIH (National Institute of Health) grants/research projects require them. Each data entry clerk enters the information on the form separately and then they run a verification to see where the errors are. They have to then take the form and look to see which is the correct information. When they reach no errors, they have to print out the verification and staple it to the hard copy. The data entry system was developed by an Access programmer in Visual Basic. This is most definitely standard practice if you don't have a scanned form. I will see if I can find out some more references to it for you.

Dee

ETA: Making a mistake is human. I've worked for departments where everybody tried to blame each other because they were so harsh if you made a mistake. Where I work now, if you screw up, you say "I screwed up this, this is what I plan to do to fix it" and usually someone says "Do you need help fixing it?" It's a much better way to work! I have a lot more respect for someone who can admit that they made a mistake, caught it and are willing to do what it takes to fix it.