This page provides answers to commonly asked questions about using the HCUP databases, software tools, supplemental files, and other products, and about data use restrictions and publishing with the data.

For questions not listed here, contact HCUP User Support at HCUP@ahrq.gov. Additional information regarding HCUP User Support is located in the About HCUP User Support section below.

For questions concerning HCUP database purchases, your current order, or the submission of required HCUP Data Use Agreements (DUAs), training certificate codes, or invoices, please review the Purchasing FAQs, or contact the HCUP Central Distributor at HCUPDistributor@ahrq.gov.

For questions about using the AHRQ Quality Indicators, contact QIsupport@ahrq.hhs.gov.

• What is HCUP?
  
  The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (called "H-CUP") is a family of health care databases, software tools, and products developed through a Federal-State-Industry partnership and sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). HCUP databases bring together the data collection efforts of State data organizations, hospital associations, private data organizations, and the Federal government to create a national information resource of patient discharge-level health care data.
  
  HCUP includes the largest collection of longitudinal hospital care data in the United States, with all-payer, encounter-level information beginning in 1988. HCUP is derived from administrative data originally collected for billing purposes. These databases enable research on a broad range of health policy issues, including cost and quality of health services, medical practice patterns, access to health care programs, and outcomes of treatments at the national, State, and local levels.
  
  HCUP offers free software tools that facilitate use of the data, including HCUPnet, an query system that provides immediate access to statistics on hospital inpatient, emergency department, and ambulatory surgery use, cost, and readmissions.
  
  HCUP Fast Stats, which provides easy access to the latest HCUP-based statistics for health information topics using visual statistical displays.
  
  HCUP offers online reports, including HCUP Statistical Briefs which present simple, descriptive statistics on a variety of specific, focused topics.
  
  For additional information, please visit the Overview of HCUP page and HCUP's Online Overview Course.



• What types of health care settings are captured in HCUP data?
  
  The HCUP databases are built from hospital administrative data (i.e., hospital billing records). HCUP's databases cover hospital inpatient care, outpatient emergency department care, and ambulatory surgery from hospital-owned facilities. Some SASD include ambulatory surgery data from facilities not owned by a hospital. HCUP does not cover services provided in physician offices, and it does not include complete or reliable pharmacy, laboratory, pathology, or radiology information.



• Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, how are the HCUP databases defined?
  
  The HCUP databases are consistent with the definition of "limited data sets" under the HIPAA Privacy Rule and contain no direct patient identifiers. HCUP Data Use Agreement (DUA) training and a signed DUA are required to purchase and/or use the HCUP databases.



• What is HCUP's unit of analysis?
  
  The unit of analysis in the HCUP databases is the discharge record, not individual patients. The exception to this is in the Readmission files, in which the unit of analysis is the patient.



• How can I keep informed about HCUP activities and product releases?
  
  If you would like information about database releases, tools, and other HCUP products, please sign up for the HCUP Mailing List. You can also check the HCUP-US Website Calendar for updates.

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• What is the HCUP Online Tutorial Series?
  
  HCUP's Online Tutorial Series is a set of free, interactive training modules that are designed to provide data users with information about HCUP data and tools, as well as training on technical methods for conducting research using HCUP datasets.



• What topics are available?
  
  Topics in the Online Tutorial Series include the following:
  
  
  • HCUP Overview Course: Provides information about HCUP data, software tools, and products.
  • HCUP Load and Check Tutorial: Provides instructions on how to unzip (decompress) HCUP data, save it on the computer, and load the data into a standard statistical software package.
  • HCUP Calculating Standard Errors Tutorial: Shows users how to accurately determine the precision of the estimates produced from the HCUP nationwide databases.
  • Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) Tutorial: Introduces users to the design, data, and uses for this nationwide database.
  • HCUP Sample Design Tutorial: Explains the sampling strategy of the nationwide NIS, KID, and NEDS databases.
  • Producing HCUP National Estimates Tutorial: Demonstrates how the nationwide NIS, KID, and NEDS databases can be used to produce national and regional estimates.
  • HCUP Multi-year Analysis Tutorial: Presents solutions that may be necessary when conducting analyses that span multiple years.

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• What are HCUP's nationwide databases?
  
  HCUP's nationwide databases provide estimates for hospital stays or emergency department encounters across the United States. Comprised of the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS), the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), and the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), the nationwide databases are built from stratified, random samples of HCUP's State databases. The nationwide databases include stays for all payers (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured). The databases can be used to create national estimates in health care utilization, access, charges, quality, and outcomes. The HCUP nationwide databases are available for purchase through the HCUP Central Distributor. Statistics from the databases are available on HCUPnet.



• Do I need to weight my nationwide database data?
  
  Yes, HCUP's nationwide databases need to be weighted to produce national estimates. HCUP's free online tutorial called Producing National HCUP Estimates provides instruction on the process.



• When are the nationwide databases generally released, and what years of data are available?
  
  The NIS, the NEDS, and the NRD are released annually, approximately 18 to 22 months following the end of a calendar year. Data years begin with 1988 for the NIS, 2006 for the NEDS, and 2013 for the NRD.
  
  The KID is released every 3 years, approximately 18 months following the end of a data year. Data years begin with 1997.
  
  Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor. Database releases are also noted on a monthly basis in the HCUP Database and Product Release Calendar.

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• What is the National Inpatient Sample?
  
  The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) is the largest publicly available all-payer inpatient care database in the United States, yielding national estimates of hospital inpatient stays. Sampled from the State Inpatient Databases (SID), the NIS contains a systematic sample of discharges from all hospitals reporting to HCUP. The NIS contains charge information on all patients, regardless of payer, including individuals covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured.
  
  The most recent version of the NIS (data year 2014) contains a sample of discharges from all HCUP-reporting hospitals, which totaled more than 4,400 in 2014. The National Inpatient Sample replaces the original NIS (the Nationwide Inpatient Sample), which was a sample of hospitals.
  
  Additional information on the NIS, including a description of data elements and summary statistics, can be found on the NIS Database Documentation page. The database can be purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, and statistics from the NIS are available on HCUPnet.



• What is the Nationwide Inpatient Sample?
  
  The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was a national sample of community hospitals. Sampled from the State Inpatient Databases (SID), the NIS for data years prior to 2012 contained all discharge data from more than 1,000 hospitals each year, approximating a 20 percent stratified sample of U.S. community hospitals. The NIS contains charge information on all patients, regardless of payer, including persons covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured.
  
  Starting with database year 2012, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample was replaced with the National Inpatient Sample. The National Inpatient Sample uses a redesigned sampling method and contains data on more than seven million hospital stays each year that can be weighted to make national estimates.



• What are the differences between the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and the National Inpatient Sample?
  
  The National Inpatient Sample replaces the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for database year 2012 onward. The National Inpatient Sample implements an improved sample design for more accurate representation of national discharge data. The previous NIS contained all discharge records from a sample of hospitals participating in HCUP. The revised NIS contains a sample of discharge records from all hospitals participating in HCUP.
  
  The 2012 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) is redesigned to improve national estimates. The redesign reflects three types of changes:
  
  
  • Revisions to the sample design, which now creates a sample of discharge records from all HCUP-participating hospitals rather than all discharge records from a sample of hospitals
  • Revisions to the definition of the discharge universe
  • Revisions to enhance confidentiality by eliminating State identifiers and data elements that are not uniformly available across States.
  
  The new sample strategy is expected to result in more precise estimates than the previous NIS design by reducing sampling error: for many estimates, confidence intervals under the new design are about half the length of confidence intervals under the previous design. For a detailed description of the NIS redesign, please refer to the NIS Redesign Report.



• Can I perform State-level analyses with the NIS?
  
  The sampling methodology used to create the NIS does not include State as a stratifier, therefore analysts cannot use the database to generate State-level estimates. Although the NIS includes weights to allow researchers to generate national estimates from the raw counts, no weights are included for the calculation of State-level estimates.
  
  For information on State-specific inpatient stays, we recommend that you work with the HCUP State Inpatient Databases (SID).
  
  
• Can I perform multi-year or trends analyses using the NIS?
  
  Because the NIS spans more than 20 years of data, it is a good tool for longitudinal analysis. However, the NIS has undergone various changes over time, including changes to the sampling and weighting strategies used. The NIS was significantly redesigned for database year 2012. For trend analysis spanning 2012 and earlier years, NIS data weights should be used to make estimates comparable to the new 2012 NIS design.
  
  In order to perform multi-year or trends analyses using the NIS, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) developed new discharge trend weights for the 1993-2011 NIS. These weights were calculated in the same way that weights were calculated for the redesigned 2012 NIS and are designed to be used instead of the original NIS discharge weights for trend analysis.
  
  For trend analysis using NIS data 2011 and earlier, revised weights should be used to make estimates comparable to the new design beginning with 2012 data. Use the trend weight (TRENDWT) in place of the original discharge weight (DISCWT) to create national estimates for trend analysis. For 2012 data, no trend weight is necessary and the discharge weight supplied on the NIS files can be used. The trend weights are available for download as ASCII files along with SAS, Stata, and SPSS load programs from the HCUP-US Web site at http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/db/nation/nis/trendwghts.jsp.
  
  These new 1993-2011 trend weights replace the earlier NIS trend weights that were developed for the 1988-1997 NIS following the 1998 NIS redesign. The report Using the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample to Estimate Trends, available as a Methods Series report, and includes recommendations for trends analysis.



• Are the NIS data weighted?
  
  NIS datasets purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor include discharge weights, which the user must apply to produce national estimates. When combining 2012 or 2013 NIS and earlier years for national estimates, NIS trend weights should be applied. It is not necessary to use the trend weights (or discharge weights) with the NIS if you are not interested in producing national estimates.
  
  To learn how to properly weight data, consult HCUP's free online tutorial called Producing National HCUP Estimates, which describes the process of applying the weighting to your data.
  
  Please note that if you are using HCUPnet (HCUP's free, online query system), the weighting has already been applied—the statistics produced are national estimates.



• How often is the NIS released, and what years are available?
  
  The NIS is released annually, approximately 18 months after the end of a calendar year. Data years begin with 1988. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.



• How much does the NIS cost?
  
  Complete database availability and pricing information is included in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor. Cost varies by year of data. Student pricing is available.
  
  Additionally, statistics and data tables from the NIS are available on HCUPnet, HCUP's free, online query system.

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• What is the Kids' Inpatient Database?
  
  The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) is the only all-payer inpatient care database for children in the United States, yielding national estimates of hospital inpatient stays for patients younger than 21 years of age. Unweighted, it contains about 3 million records each year that can be weighted to make national estimates for pediatric care. Weighted, it estimates approximately 7 million hospital stays for children. The KID is built from a sample of pediatric discharges from the State Inpatient Databases (SID). Although the KID is released every three years, the data include discharges for the single calendar year (January to December). The KID's large sample size enables analyses of common as well as rare conditions, such as congenital anomalies, and uncommon treatments, such as organ transplantation. The KID includes charge information on all patients, regardless of payer, including children covered by Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured.
  
  The most recent version of the KID (data year 2012) includes discharges from 4,179 hospitals in 44 States.
  
  Additional information on the KID, including a description of data elements and summary statistics, can be found on the KID Database Documentation page. The database can be purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, and statistics from the KID are available on HCUPnet.



• How is the KID different than the NIS?
  
  The KID is based on a stratified, random sample of pediatric discharges (younger than 21 years of age) from the State Inpatient Databases (SID). Ten percent of uncomplicated in-hospital births and 80 percent of complicated births and other pediatric cases from each frame hospital are sampled. The chief benefit of using the KID is that, because of its sample design, rare conditions such as congenital anomalies and uncommon treatments such as organ transplantation can be analyzed.
  
  The NIS does not oversample complicated newborns and other (nonnewborn) pediatric discharges. The 2012 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) is a sample of discharges from all hospitals participating in HCUP. Starting with 2012 data, the NIS was redesigned to improve national estimates; the previous NIS contained all discharge records from a sample of hospitals participating in HCUP.



• Are the KID data weighted?
  
  KID data purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor include discharge weights, which must be applied by the user to produce national estimates. To learn how to properly weight data, consult HCUP's free online tutorial Producing National HCUP Estimates, which describes the process of weighting data.
  
  Please note that if you are using HCUPnet (our free, online query system), the weighting has already been applied — the statistics produced are national estimates.



• How often is the KID released, and what years are available?
  
  Unlike HCUP's other databases, which are released annually, the KID is released every 3 years beginning with 1997 data. Complete database availability and pricing information is included in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.



• How much does the KID cost?
  
  Complete database availability and pricing information is included in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor. Cost varies by year of data. Student pricing is available.
  
  Additionally, statistics and data tables from the KID are available on HCUPnet, HCUP's free, online query system.

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• What is the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample?
  
  The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) is the largest all-payer emergency department (ED) database in the United States, yielding national estimates of ED encounters. Unweighted, it contains approximately 30 million records each year from about 1,000 EDs. Weighted, it estimates approximately 135 million ED encounters. The NEDS contains discharges from more than 950 hospitals and approximates a 20 percent stratified sample of U.S. hospital-based EDs. It is constructed using records from (1) the HCUP State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD), which capture information on ED encounters that do not result in an admission (i.e., treat-and-release encounters and transfers to other hospitals), and (2) the State Inpatient Databases (SID), which contain information on patients initially seen in the ED and then admitted to the same hospital. The NEDS includes ED charge information for more than 75 percent of patients, regardless of payer, including persons covered by Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured.
  
  The most recent version of the NEDS (data year 2013) includes discharges from 950 hospital-based EDs in 30 States.
  
  Additional information on the NEDS, including a description of data elements and summary statistics, can be found on the NEDS Database Documentation page. The database can be purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, and statistics from the databases are available on HCUPnet.



• Does the NEDS contain ICD-9-CM procedure codes or HCPCS®/CPT codes?
  
  The NEDS contains both types of procedure codes; however, the type of code(s) depends on the State and the type of ED encounter. For ED encounters that do not result in hospitalization, procedures may be reported as both ICD-9-CM and HCPCS®/CPT. Information on availability by State can be found under the Availability of Data Elements by Year link located on the SEDD Database Documentation page of the HCUP-US Web site. This information may vary by year, so refer to the data year corresponding to the NEDS of interest.
  
  For ED encounters resulting in hospitalization, procedures are coded as ICD-9-CM codes but are sometimes also available in HCPCS®/CPT. Information on availability by State can be found under the Availability of Data Elements by Year link located on the SID Database Documentation page on the HCUP-US Web site. This information may vary by year, so refer to the data year corresponding to the NEDS of interest.



• Are the NEDS data weighted?
  
  NEDS data purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor include discharge weights, which the user must apply to produce national estimates. To learn how to properly weight data, consult HCUP's free online tutorial Producing National HCUP Estimates, which describes the process of weighting data.
  
  Please note that if you are using HCUPnet (our free, online query system), the weighting has already been applied — the statistics produced are national estimates.



• How often is the NEDS released, and what years are available?
  
  The NEDS is released annually, approximately 18 to 22 months after the end of a calendar year. Data years begin with 2006. Complete database availability and pricing information is included in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.



• How much does the NEDS cost?
  
  Complete database availability and pricing information is included in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor. Student pricing is available.
  
  Additionally, statistics and data tables from the NEDS are available on HCUPnet, HCUP's free, online query system.

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• What is the Nationwide Readmissions Database?
  
  The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) is a database of all-payer hospital inpatient stays that can be used to examine national estimates of readmissions.
  
  The NRD is the largest all-payer readmissions database in the United States that can be used to examine national estimates of readmissions. Unweighted, it contains approximately 15 million discharges each year. Weighted, it estimates approximately 35 million discharges. The NRD is drawn from HCUP State Inpatient Databases (SID) containing verified patient linkage numbers that can be used to track a person across hospitals within a State. There are 22 HCUP partners that contribute to the 2014 NRD. These states are geographically dispersed and account for 51.2 percent of the total U.S. population and 49.3 percent of all U.S. hospitalizations.
  
  Additional information on the NRD, including a description of data elements and summary statistics, can be found on the NRD Database Documentation page. The database can be purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, and statistics from the databases are available on HCUPnet.
  
  
• How is the NRD different than the NIS?
  
  The NRD and the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) differ in design and availability of data elements. The 2014 NRD uses the State Inpatient Databases (SID) from 22 HCUP Partners with verified patient linkage numbers and includes discharges from community hospitals, excluding rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospitals. The NIS contain a sample of records from each SID that can be weighted to represent national estimates. The NRD can be used to estimate national readmission rates for all payers and the uninsured and addresses a large gap in health care data—the lack of nationally representative information on hospital readmissions for all ages.



• How are readmissions defined in the NRD?
  
  The NRD is designed to be flexible to various types of analyses of national readmissions for all types of payers and the uninsured. The criteria to determine the relationship between multiple hospital admissions for an individual patient is left to the analyst using the NRD. Outcomes of interest include national readmission rates, reasons for returning to the hospital for care, and the hospital costs for discharges with and without readmissions.



• Can I perform State-level analyses with the NRD?
  
  TThe sampling methodology used to create the NRD does not include State as a stratifier, therefore analysts cannot use the database to generate State-level estimates. Although the NRD includes weights to allow researchers to generate national estimates from the raw counts, no weights are included for the calculation of State-level estimates.
  
  For information on State-specific inpatient stays, we recommend that you work with the HCUP State Inpatient Databases (SID).



• Are the NRD data weighted?
  
  NRD data purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor include discharge weights, which the user must apply to produce national estimates. To learn how to properly weight data, consult HCUP's free online tutorial called Producing National HCUP Estimates, which describes the process of applying the weighting to your data.
  
  Please note that if you are using HCUPnet (our free, online query system), the weighting has already been applied - the statistics produced are national estimates.



• How often is the NRD released, and what years are available?
  
  The NRD is released annually, approximately 18 to 22 months after the end of a calendar year. Data years begin with 2013. Complete database availability and pricing information is included in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.



• How much does the NRD cost?
  
  Complete database availability and pricing information is included in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor. Student pricing is available.
  
  Additionally, statistics and data tables from the NRD are available on HCUPnet, HCUP's free, online query system.

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• What are the State databases?
  
  HCUP's State databases are a collection of all-payer datasets from participating States that can be used to investigate State-specific and multi-state trends in health care utilization, access, charges, quality, and outcomes. The HCUP State databases are comprised of the State Inpatient Databases (SID), the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (SASD), and the State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD).
  
  A summary table shows the availability of State-level data by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.
  
  Statistics from select States and settings are available on HCUPnet. Please review HCUPnet for a list of participating States and their years of participation.



• Do I need to weight my State database data?
  
  No, HCUP's State databases do not need to be weighted. HCUP's State databases provide a census (not an estimate) of inpatient stays, ambulatory surgery encounters, or emergency department encounters occurring in a State's community hospitals. For additional information, please review the HCUP Methods Series Report #2010-05: Inferences with HCUP State Databases Final Report.
  
  
• If a State is an HCUP Partner, why are their databases not available through the HCUP Central Distributor or on HCUPnet?


HCUP Partners decide whether to distribute their State-level, public-release databases through the HCUP Central Distributor and whether to distribute statistics on HCUPnet. As a result, data from any given State may be available through one or both sources, and the years of participation can vary.

For the Central Distributor, a summary table shows State participation by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor. HCUPnet provides a list of the available State statistics and years included in the query system on the State Statistics pathways.

If a State of interest does not release their full dataset through the Central Distributor or participate in HCUPnet, contact the HCUP Partner directly for information about the availability of that State's data.


• When are the State databases generally released?
  
  HCUP's state databases (the SID, SASD, and SEDD) are released on a rolling basis — typically beginning 6 to 9 months following the end of a calendar year.
  
  A summary table shows the availability of State-level data by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor. Recent releases are also noted on a monthly basis in the HCUP Database and Product Release Calendar.

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• What are the State Inpatient Databases?
  
  The State Inpatient Databases (SID) are a set of all-payer inpatient care databases from participating HCUP Partners that capture hospital inpatient stays in a given State. They contain the universe of inpatient discharge abstracts in participating States that are translated into a uniform format to facilitate multi-state comparisons and analyses. The SID contain a core set of clinical and nonclinical information on all patients, regardless of payer, including persons covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured.
  
  Together, the SID encompass about 97 percent of all U.S. community hospital discharges.
  
  The SID are the building blocks of the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS), the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), and the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD). All SID include a core set of variables that are commonly included on inpatient discharge abstracts, along with some State-specific data elements.
  
  Additional information on the SID, including a description of data elements with participation by State and year and summary statistics for select States, can be found on the SID Database Documentation page. Select SID can be purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, and statistics from select States are available on HCUPnet.



• What is the difference between the SID and the NIS?
  
  The SID and the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) differ in design and availability of data elements. The SID contain the universe of the inpatient discharge abstracts in participating States. The NIS contain a sample of records from each SID that can be weighted to represent national estimates. Key differences exist between the SID and the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Foremost, each SID contains the universe of inpatient discharge abstracts provided by an HCUP State Partner, whereas the NIS consists of a sample of discharges provided by all HCUP State Partners. Additionally, the NIS contains fewer data elements than the SID. The common data elements on the SID become the NIS core data elements and are standardized.



• What years are of the SID are available, and how much do they cost?
  
  The availability and cost of the full SID vary by State and year. The earliest available SID begin in 1990; however, not all States provide data from every year. Each HCUP Partner sets its own pricing, and some charge by applicant affiliation. A summary table shows the availability of State-level data by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.
  
  Additionally, statistics and data tables from select SID are available on HCUPnet, HCUP's free, online query system.
  
  Many HCUP Partners participate in the HCUP Central Distributor and HCUPnet, however not all do. To obtain state-level data from States that do not participate, contact the HCUP Partner directly for information on the availability of that State's data.

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• What are the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases?
  
  The State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (SASD) are part of the family of databases and software tools developed for the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). The SASD include encounter-level data for ambulatory surgeries and may also include various types of outpatient services such as observation stays, lithotripsy, radiation therapy, imaging, chemotherapy, and labor and delivery. The specific types of ambulatory surgery and outpatient services included in each SASD vary by State and data year. All SASD include data from hospital-owned ambulatory surgery facilities. In addition, some States include data from facilities not owned by a hospital. The designation of a facility as hospital-owned is specific to its financial relationship with a hospital that provides inpatient care and is not related to its physical location. Hospital-owned ambulatory surgery and other outpatient care facilities may be contained within the hospital, physically attached to the hospital, or located in a different geographic area. For a detailed description of the SASD, please see http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/sasdoverview.jsp on HCUP-US.
  
  Additional information on the SASD, including a description of data elements with participation by State and year and summary statistics for select States, can be found on the SASD Database Documentation page. Select SASD can be purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, and statistics from select States are available on HCUPnet.



• What types of facilities are included in the SASD?
  
  All SASD include data from hospital-owned ambulatory surgery facilities. In addition, some States include data from nonhospital-owned facilities. The designation of a facility as hospital-owned is specific to its financial relationship with a hospital that provides inpatient care and not related to its physical location. Hospital-owned ambulatory surgery and other outpatient care facilities may be contained within the hospital, physically attached to the hospital, or located in a different geographic area. The designation as hospital-owned means that HCUP can identify that the hospital is billing for this service. A complete list of the types of facilities included in the SASD can be found on the SASD File Composition page.



• What years of the SASD are available, and how much do they cost?
  
  The availability and cost of the SASD vary by State and by year. The earliest available SASD begin in 1997; however, not all States provide data from every year. Each HCUP Partner sets its own pricing, and some charge by applicant affiliation. A summary table shows the availability of State-level data by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.



• What is the difference between the State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (for years prior to 2012) and the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (for year 2012)?
  
  The only difference between the two databases is the name. The name State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases better describes the current and historical content. There is no difference in the sampling or variables available in the SASD before and after the database name change for the data year 2012. The HCUP team has endeavored to better understand the types of data and utilization that are included in the State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (SASD). We completed a rigorous review of all documentation that is provided by our HCUP Partners, supplemented by phone conversations with each of the Partner data organizations that provide SASD data to HCUP. It is clear that for most of our Partners, the SASD include data for outpatient ambulatory surgery as well as other hospital-based outpatient services. Some of our HCUP Partners also provide ambulatory surgery data and outpatient care services from nonhospital-owned facilities. Therefore, we have updated the name of the databases to the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (the acronym SASD will stay the same) and updated all documentation in HCUP-US to better communicate what is included in these databases. Visit the SASD Overview page for additional information.

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• What are the State Emergency Department Databases?
  
  The State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) are a set of all-payer emergency department (ED) databases from participating HCUP Partners that capture discharge information on all ED encounters that do not result in an admission to the same facility. They include universe of abstracts from hospital-affiliated ED encounters from community hospitals. Composition and completeness of the variables on the file may vary from State to State. The SEDD contain a core set of clinical and nonclinical information on all patients, regardless of payer, including persons covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured.
  
  Additional information on the SEDD, including a description of data elements with participation by State and year and summary statistics for select States, can be found on the SEDD Database Documentation page. Select SEDD can be purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, and statistics from select States are available on HCUPnet.



• Does the SEDD include all emergency department encounters -- both those in which the patient was admitted and those in which they were treated and released?
  
  No. The SEDD provide ED encounter-level information for emergency department encounters that do not result in an admission to the same facility (i.e., patients in the SEDD were treated and released). Records for inpatient stays that began in the ED are found in the State Inpatient Databases (SID). Both the SEDD and SID are needed to analyze all ED encounters in a State.



• What years of the SEDD are available, and how much do they cost?
  
  The availability and cost of the SEDD vary by State and by year. The earliest available SEDD begin in 1999; however, not all States provide data from every year. Each HCUP Partner sets its own pricing, and some charge by applicant affiliation. A summary table shows the availability of State-level data by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.
  
  Additionally, statistics and data tables from select SEDD are available on HCUPnet, HCUP's free, online query system.
  
  Many HCUP Partners participate in the HCUP Central Distributor and HCUPnet, however not all do. To obtain State-level data from States that do not participate, contact the HCUP Partner directly for information about the availability of that State's data.

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• How can I access data or statistics from HCUP?
  
  The HCUP databases are available for purchase online through the HCUP Central Distributor. All purchasers must complete the online Data Use Agreement (DUA) training and create a user account in order to submit an application to purchase HCUP data.
  
  Statistics and data tables from HCUP's nationwide and select State databases can be obtained from HCUPnet, a free online query system. Statistics and data tables on select topics are also available through HCUP Fast Stats.
  
  Many HCUP Partners participate in the Central Distributor, HCUPnet, and Fast Stats, but not all do. If a State of interest does not release their full dataset through the Central Distributor, contact the HCUP Partner directly for information about the availability of that State's data.



• Where do I log in to my HCUP account?
  
  If you are an HCUP data purchaser and wish to log in to the online Central Distributor to purchase HCUP data, check the status of your data purchase application, and/or download your purchased Nationwide databases, please use the Purchase HCUP Data page. You may get to this page directly using the "Purchase HCUP Data" navigation tab). There you will find links to access the online Central Distributor, where users may log in to submit and manage their data orders.

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• How do I purchase HCUP databases, and how much do they cost?
  
  HCUP databases are available for purchase online through the HCUP Central Distributor. For questions, contact the Central Distributor via email at HCUPDistributor@ahrq.gov or at 866-556-HCUP (4287) (toll free). The cost per database varies by State and by year (prices are set by HCUP Partners) and can be found in the Central Distributor Database Catalog.
  
  Many HCUP Partners participate in the Central Distributor, but not all do. If a State of interest does not release their full dataset through the Central Distributor, contact the HCUP Partner directly for information about the availability of that State's data.



• What HCUP databases are available for purchase?
  
  HCUP's nationwide databases (the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS), the Kids Inpatient Database (KID), the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD)), and select State databases (the State Inpatient Databases (SID), the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (SASD), and the State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD)) are available for purchase through the HCUP Central Distributor. A summary table shows the availability of State-level data by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.



• Can I obtain a customized dataset or access additional elements that are not included in the standard HCUP databases?
  
  HCUP does not offer customized datasets—the data are offered as standard databases. No elements beyond those that are already included in the standard databases are available to the public.



• When are HCUP databases generally released?
  
  HCUP's State databases are released on a rolling basis — typically beginning 6 to 9 months following the end of a calendar year. Databases are listed in the HCUP Database and Product Release Calendar as they become available for purchase through the HCUP Central Distributor.
  
  The NIS, the NEDS, and the NRD are released approximately 18 to 22 months following the end of a calendar year. Data years begin with 1988 for the NIS, 2006 for the NEDS, and 2013 for the NRD. The KID is released every 3 years, beginning with 1997 data.
  
  As with the State databases, recent releases of the nationwide databases are also noted in the HCUP Database and Product Release Calendar and are available for purchase through the HCUP Central Distributor.



• Are other persons working on my study required to submit a Data Use Agreement?
  
  Anyone with access to HCUP data or access to results from the data that contain sensitive information (such as information by individual hospitals or aggregated statistics with small cell sizes) must complete the HCUP Data Use Agreement (DUA) Training Course and sign the DUA for Nationwide and/or State Databases. Both the signed DUA(s) and the DUA Training Course completion certificate (or certification code) must be submitted to the HCUP Central Distributor before any collaborator can be granted access to the data.



• How do I submit my Data Use Agreement?
  
  Data Purchasers:
  Data users purchasing HCUP databases and supplemental files online through the HCUP Central Distributor will execute their DUAs electronically during the ordering process. Purchasers must review and acknowledge the DUA to place an order. A copy of the executed DUA will be available under My Account. Please note that users are required to sign and submit a Nationwide and/or State DUA each time they complete a new application to purchase HCUP databases.
  
  Others with Access to HCUP Data:
  The signed DUA and certification codes for collaborators and others with access to HCUP data under the primary purchaser's agreement should be submitted directly to the HCUP Central Distributor:
  
  HCUP Central Distributor
  Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.
  8757 Georgia Avenue, 12th Floor
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  
  E-mail: HCUPDistributor@ahrq.gov
  Fax: (866) 792-5313

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• What is the Clinical Classification Software?
  
  The Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) is a categorization scheme that was developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It can be used to classify similar diagnosis or procedure coding (such as ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM codes) and collapse them into a smaller number of clinically meaningful categories. The CCS categories may be more useful for presenting descriptive statistics than for presenting individual codes.



• What types of CCS tools are there?
  
  There are four types of CCS tools. The CCS for ICD-9-CM provides a method for classifying ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes into a smaller number of clinically meaningful categories. The CCS for ICD-9-CM is the main and most frequently used version of the CCS tool. Most users employ the single-level CCS categorization scheme for diagnoses or procedures. A more detailed, multi-level scheme for ICD-9-CM diagnoses and procedures is available but is not as commonly used.
  
  The CCS for ICD-10-CM/PCS clusters ICD-10-CM diagnosis and ICD-10-PCS procedure codes into a manageable number of clinically meaningful categories. The official implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS is currently scheduled for October 1, 2015.
  
  The CCS for Mortality Reporting is a separate tool focused on mortality reporting. This diagnosis categorization scheme involves ICD-10 coding, which has been used in the United States for mortality reporting since 1999. Note that this uses the original ICD-10 system for mortality reporting; not ICD-10-CM/PCS. The CCS for Mortality Reporting tool is valid through September 2009.
  
  The CCS-Services and Procedures provides a method for classifying Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes into clinically meaningful procedure categories. The procedure categories are identical to the CCS for ICD-9-CM, with the addition of specific categories unique to professional service codes in CPT/HCPCS. Users must agree to a license to use the CCS-Services and Procedures prior to accessing the software.



• What is the difference between the Mortality Reporting and ICD-10-CM CCS tools?
  
  The CCS for Mortality Reporting contains only diagnosis codes that are used for mortality reporting. The CCS for ICD-10-CM contains the full set of ICD-10-CM diagnosis and ICD-10-PCS procedure codes. The CCS for ICD-10-CM was developed in preparation for the ICD-10-CM coding implementation, currently scheduled for October 1, 2015.



• How often is the CCS updated?
  
  The CCS is updated annually, as ICD-9-CM,ICD-10_CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS codes are revised. Updates typically are released between October and April, and the software is valid for codes from January 1, 1980 through September 30 of the designated fiscal year.



• How can I obtain the CCS, and how much does it cost?
  
  The CCS may be downloaded free of charge from the HCUP-US Web site. Select the type of CCS tool in which you are interested, and click on the "Downloading Information" link.

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• What are Cost-to-Charge Ratio Files?
  
  The Cost-to-Charge Ratio (CCR) Files are linkable files developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that enable the conversion of total charges — defined as what a hospital billed for services — into how much the hospital services actually cost.
  
  Each CCR contains hospital-specific cost-to-charge ratios based on all-payer inpatient cost for nearly every hospital in the corresponding NIS, KID, NRD, or SID databases. Cost information was obtained from the hospital cost reports (HCRIS) collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Some imputations for missing values were necessary.



• What databases have CCR files?
  
  The CCR is designed to be used exclusively with the NIS, KID, NRD, or SID, and is unique by year. The CCR is not available for the NEDS, SASD, or SEDD.



• How often is the CCR updated?
  
  Corresponding with database releases, the CCR is updated annually for the NIS, NRD, and SID and every 3 years for the KID. The CCR is available shortly after the second release of the HCRIS database in May.



• When using multiple years of data, should researchers use the most recent version of the CCR or should they match the file to the specific year of data?
  
  The CCR is unique by year. Use the CCR that corresponds with the year of data.



• How can I obtain the CCR, and how much does it cost?
  
  The CCR is available free of charge through the HCUP Central Distributor.

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• What are the Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses?
  
  The HCUP Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses, or Revisit Variables, are additional variables that were developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). They facilitate analyses to track patients across time and hospital settings exclusively in the SID, SASD, and SEDD.
  
  Each record in an HCUP database represents one discharge abstract from a hospital setting (inpatient, emergency department, or ambulatory surgery). Therefore, if an individual visited the hospital three times in a given year, the HCUP databases would include three separate records in the respective database. The Revisit Variables allow researchers to uniformly identify sequential visits for an individual in a single State across the SID, SASD, and SEDD, and to use the available clinical information to determine whether the visits are unrelated, an unexpected revisit or rehospitalization, or an expected follow-up.



• Are Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses available for HCUP's State databases?
  
  The HCUP Revisit Variables are available for the SID, SASD, and SEDD in select States starting in 2003. Appendix A of the HCUP Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses User Guide (PDF file, 584 KB) provides a detailed list of which States, years, and types of data are available. The Revisit Variables are designed to be used exclusively with the HCUP State databases and are unique by State and data year.



• Are the Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses available for HCUP's nationwide databases?
  
  Analyses of readmissions using the HCUP Revisit Variables are only possible using the Nationwide Readmissions Database and the HCUP State databases. No other HCUP nationwide database includes the Revisit Variables



• How often are the Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses updated?
  
  The HCUP Revisit Variables are updated annually.



• If I am using multiple years of data, should I use the most recent version of the Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses or should I match the file to my year of data?
  
  The Revisit Variables are unique by State and by year. Use the Revisit Variables that correspond with the year of data.



• How do I obtain the Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses, and how much do they cost?
  
  Beginning with 2009 data, the Revisit Variables are included in the Core file of the SID, SASD, and SEDD databases that are purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor. For 2003-2008 data, the Revisit Variables are provided free of charge as a separate file with the applicable State databases. If the HCUP State databases were purchased prior to the release of the Revisit Variables, then these supplemental files are available free of charge through the Central Distributor.

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• What is the Chronic Condition Indicator?
  
  The Chronic Condition Indicator (CCI) is a tool developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that categorizes ICD-9-CM diagnoses codes into one of two categories: chronic or not chronic. Examples of chronic conditions include malignancies, diabetes, most forms of mental illness, hypertension, many forms of heart disease, and congenital anomalies. Conditions that are not chronic include infections, pregnancy, many neonatal conditions, nonspecific symptoms, and injuries. There are two versions of the Chronic Condition Indicator: the Chronic Condition Indicator for ICD-9-CM and the Chronic Condition Indicator for ICD-10-CM.



• How often is the CCI updated?
  
  The CCI is updated each year. Each version is based on ICD-9-CM and MS-DRG codes that are valid through September 30 of the designated fiscal year.



• How can I obtain the CCI, and how much does it cost?
  
  The CCI can be downloaded free of charge from the HCUP-US Web site.

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• What is the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software?
  
  The Elixhauser Comorbidity Software is a product developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that identifies comorbidities in hospital discharge records using ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. Currently the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software creates 29 variables that identify major comorbidities (e.g., congestive heart failure, HIV/AIDS) in hospital discharge records. There are two versions of the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software: the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software for ICD-9-CM and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software for ICD-10-CM.



• How does the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software differ from the Elixhauser Comorbidities?
  
  The Elixhauser Comorbidity Software is based on the Elixhauser Comorbidities. The most recent versions of the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software contain 29 comorbidity indicators—not the 30 indicators presented in the Elixhauser et al. (1998) article. Beginning with the Fiscal Year 2004 version 2.0 of the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software, Dr. Elixhauser removed the cardiac arrhythmias indicator because of concerns about reliability. In addition, some original labels changed and some indicators began sharing duplicate ICD-9-CM codes in later versions. Each year, efforts are made to enhance the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software with better methods of identifying the Elixhauser Comorbidities.



• How often is the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software updated?
  
  The Elixhauser Comorbidity Software is updated each year. Each version is based on ICD-9-CM and MS-DRG codes that are valid through September 30 of the designated fiscal year.



• If I am using multiple years of data, should I use the most recent version of the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software or should I match the software to my year of data?
  
  To ensure that the codes included in your datasets are included in the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software, we recommend that you use the corresponding Elixhauser Comorbidity Software for each year of data.



• How can I obtain the Elixhauser Comorbidity Software, and how much does it cost?
  
  The Elixhauser Comorbidity Software can be downloaded free of charge from the HCUP-US Web site.

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• What are the Procedure Classes?
  
  The Procedure Classes are a tool developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that categorizes procedure codes into one of four broad categories: Minor Diagnostic, Minor Therapeutic, Major Diagnostic, and Major Therapeutic. Procedure codes for this tool are based on the ICD-9-CM codes. There are versions of the Procedure Classes for ICD-9-CM and the Procedure Classes for ICD-10-CM.



• How often are the Procedure Classes updated?
  
  The Procedure Classes are updated each year. Each version is based on ICD-9-CM and MS-DRG codes that are valid through September 30 of the designated fiscal year.



• How can I obtain the Procedure Classes, and how much do they cost?
  
  The Procedure Classes can be downloaded free of charge from the HCUP-US Web site.

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• What are the Utilization Flags?
  
  The Utilization Flags are software developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The software creates 30 data elements that reveal additional information about the use of health care services by combining information from UB-04 revenue codes, ICD-9-CM procedure codes, and Clinical Classification Software (CCS) procedure categories to create indicators (or flags) of utilization. Use of procedures and services such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and specific diagnostic tests and therapies in HCUP's State databases can be assessed with the Utilization Flags.
  
  For additional information, the HCUP Methods Series Report #2006-04: Development of Utilization Flags for Use with UB-92 Administrative Data has detailed documentation about the initial development of the Utilization Flags.



• Can the Utilization Flags be used on HCUP's nationwide databases?
  
  No. Utilization Flags can be used only on HCUP's State databases. The Utilization Flags use Revenue Codes, which are not reported in the nationwide databases. In most HCUP State databases, Revenue Codes are stored in an array (REVCD1-REVCDn, where n indicates the dimension of the array) with a corresponding array of associated charges. The number of Revenue Codes reported on an individual record varies; not all participating HCUP Partners provide Revenue Codes in their State databases. Composition and completeness vary by State, year, and database.



• How often are the Utilization Flags updated?
  
  Revenue code categories are reviewed annually and updated in the Utilization Flags, as appropriate.



• How can I obtain the Utilization Flags, and how much do they cost?
  
  The Utilization Flags can be downloaded free of charge from the HCUP-US Web site.

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• What is HCUPnet?
  
  HCUPnet is a free, online query system that provides instant access to statistics and data tables from HCUP. It's easy, step-by-step process allows users to explore many health care topics relating to inpatient hospital services, ambulatory surgery, and emergency department encounters. Users may also generate tables and graphs on national, regional, and community-level statistics including hospital readmissions and trends on hospitals, emergency department, and ambulatory surgery use in the United States. In addition, state-specific statistics are available for States that have agreed to participate in HCUPnet.
  
  HCUPnet can access statistics from all of its hospital databases: the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS), the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), selected State Inpatient Databases (SID), selected State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (SASD), and selected State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD).


Information of HCUPnet includes:


• Numbers of discharges/visits.
• Charges.
• Costs.
• Lenght of stay.
• Percent died.
• Discharge status.

Details are provided for conditions, procedures, Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs), and Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) by patient characteristics (age, sex, payer, community level income, and urban/rural location), hospital characteristics (ownership, bedsize, teaching status, and rural/urban location), and region of the country. Statistics can be found for all discharges or for operating room procedures only or for discharges that do not include maternal and newborns.

Additional information provided by HCUPnet includes:


• National estimates of hospital readmissions for specific conditions, procedures, DRGs, and MDCs.
• National benchmarks for the AHRQ Quality Indicators.
• Information by Hospital characteristics.


• How is HCUPnet different from the full HCUP databases?
  
  HCUPnet produces output by accessing precalculated statistical tables of HCUP data to produce quick results. For this reason, and to protect patient confidentiality, not all types of queries are possible using HCUPnet. The full HCUP databases are purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor and require a statistical software package (such as SAS, SPSS, or Stata) for use. Researchers are able to program the software to extract the type of information they are seeking from the databases.
  
  HCUP Partners decide whether to release their State-level, public-release data through the Central Distributor and whether to have State-level statistics on HCUPnet. As a result, data from any given State may be available through one or both sources, and the years of participation can vary. Please review HCUPnet for a list of participating States and years of participation. For the Central Distributor, a summary table shows State participation by database and year. Complete database availability and pricing information is provided in the Database Catalog, which is found by navigating to the online HCUP Central Distributor.
  
  Additionally, national statistics are not available for all NIS years on HCUPnet.



• Is the national data on HCUPnet weighted?
  
  Yes. Unlike the full HCUP databases that are purchased through the HCUP Central Distributor, HCUPnet statistics have had the weighting applied. The data from HCUPnet are national estimates.



• How often is HCUPnet updated?
  
  HCUPnet is updated as databases are released. The national statistics are updated annually, and State statistics are updated as new State data are processed. Available States and years are listed on the HCUPnet pathways.



• HCUPnet provides national readmission statistics. Is this information available in the full nationwide databases?
  
  No. Statistics on national readmission rates are available only through HCUPnet. This information is calculated using an intramural data file which is not available for public release or purchase.



• How does HCUPnet work?
  
  HCUPnet is based on aggregate statistics tables to speed up data transfer and protect individual records, so not all possible queries can be addressed. HCUPnet includes a description of how to perform queries. Go to additional information under "First Time Visitor" on the HCUPnet homepage.

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• What articles and reports are available on the HCUP-US Web site?
  
  HCUP produces a number of publication series featuring HCUP data and tools. These publications and reports provide people with ready-made sources of statistics and guidance on a range of health care related subjects. Examples include:
  
  
  • HCUP Statistical Briefs, which present simple, descriptive statistics on a variety of specific, focused topics
  • HCUP Methods Series Reports, which feature a broad array of methodological information on the HCUP databases and software tools
  • HCUP Projections use longitudinal HCUP data to project national and regional estimates on health care priorities
  • HCUP Topical Reports, which provide information on various priority populations
  • HCUP Infographics, which present a visual representation of data found in the HCUP Statistical Brief series
  
  Additionally, the HCUP-US Web site has an HCUP Publications Search feature, which allows visitors to search keywords for peer-reviewed articles and AHRQ reports that used HCUP data or products to support their research. The HCUP-US Web site showcases high-quality examples of articles on its Research Spotlights feature.

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HCUP Q&A (formerly called Users' Tech Tips) can be found in HCUP's quarterly eNews. Topics have included:

• Tracking Readmissions with HCUP Data
• HCUP's DISCWT (Weighting) Element
• Choosing the Best HCUP Database for Your Research
• Publishing with HCUP Data

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• What types of questions can HCUP User Support answer?
  
  HCUP User Support can help (1) find, select, and access the appropriate HCUP databases, tools, and documentation; (2) navigate and use the HCUP-US and HCUPnet Web sites; (3) troubleshoot HCUP tools; (4) answer questions about programming the data; (5) investigate possible data or documentation errors; (6) support in the interpretation of your HCUP data output; and (7) guide you in the appropriate use and reporting of HCUP data.
  
  If you have questions concerning your purchase of HCUP databases, including any current orders, the HCUP Central Distributor will be able to assist you. For questions related to the purchase of HCUP data, please contact the HCUP Central Distributor.



• Are there types of questions that HCUP User Support cannot answer?
  
  Yes. HCUP User Support cannot answer questions related to programming software services or support; data coding; complex analyses; research design; or running, revising, or customizing HCUP tools. Staff may be able to guide you to other resources that are specific to your needs.



• Can HCUP User Support assist with my study design and methodology?
  
  User Support cannot assist with HCUP research designs. However, many users have found HCUP's Publication Search page helpful in learning how other researchers have constructed their methodology.



• Are there requirements for publishing with HCUP data?
  
  Yes. Before publishing with HCUP data, User Support recommends reviewing the Requirements for Publishing with HCUP Data page.

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