/
Quintile Calculation

Quintile Calculation

Owned by Joseph Gulotta
Last updated: Feb 06, 2015
Quintile Calculation is a method that involves separating values into 5 sectors, or quintiles.  Values are ranked from low to high (in the case of more_is better) and high to low (in the case of low_is_better) and quintiles are assigned in 20% blocks.  Breakdown of quintiles is as follows: 
  • Q1: 0-19% Range
  • Q2: 20-39% Range
  • Q3: 40-59% Range
  • Q4: 60-79% Range
  • Q5: 80-99% Range
Values in the first quintile are assigned a sig_var of -1, or Poor Performer.  Values in quintiles 2 through 4 are assigned a sig_var of 0, which is not statistically better or worse than the average (Average Performer).  Values that fall into the fifth quintile are given a sig_var of 1, making them high performers for the applicable measures.
This method is generally only used when the data source only divulges the value and the quintile into which the value falls.  Examples of measures that use this method are as follows:
  • Nursing Home Compare (CMS)
  • Home Health Compare (CMS)

 

Related content