/
FAQ: Handling data deletion in REDCap
Got feedback or spotted a mistake?

Leave a comment at the end of this page or email contact@krishagni.com

FAQ: Handling data deletion in REDCap

This page explains how deletions in REDCap and OpenSpecimen behave when both systems are integrated, and what to do in case of sync issues.

What happens in OpenSpecimen when a subject is deleted in REDCap?

  • During the next sync, OpenSpecimen will:

    • If no visits collected: Participant is deleted.

    • If visits are collected:

      • Participant will NOT be deleted since visits and possibly specimens, forms, etc., have already been collected

      • You have to first delete or move the visits to another participant.

      • Delete the participant manually in OpenSpecimen (ONLY if the Subject is already deleted in REDCap)

What happens in OpenSpecimen when a visit is deleted in REDCap?

Applicable only to a longitudinal REDCap study

The visit is not deleted from OpenSpecimen

What happens if a REDCap-synced participant or visit is deleted in OpenSpecimen?

WARNING: Do not delete participants or visits that are synced from REDCap. It will lead to errors that can be cleaned up only in the database. This option will be disabled in future.

During the next sync, OpenSpecimen will error “record not found” which can be fixed only via database SQLs.

How to delete synced data and resync?

If a participant or visit is deleted in OpenSpecimen, the "record not found" error can be resolved by clearing the synchronised data and resyncing.

Only perform 'Delete Data' if no additional form details or specimens were collected in OpenSpecimen. If specimens exist, use SQL queries in the database to resolve the issue.

How to delete data?

  • Delete participants using the UI or via bulk import.

  • Navigate to the REDCap Configuration Settings -> Click on More → ‘Delete Data’.

  • Sync instruments and records.

 

Got feedback or spotted a mistake?

Leave a comment at the end of this page or email contact@krishagni.com