Electronic collection of inpatient and ambulatory hospital care data: national hospital care survey

The National Hospital Care Survey (NHCS) is a groundbreaking undertaking that meets the demand for timely estimates and efficient use of hospital care data by taking advantage of electronic modes of communication, collection, and dissemination. By adapting to new technologies that are available to both hospitals and government, NHCS is redefining the way agencies can collect survey data while still protecting the confidentiality of survey participants, both hospitals and patients. Creating a relationship with a base cohort of hospitals allows NHCS to make the most of future technological advances. However, challenges remain. The protection of the confidentiality of hospitals and patients is always paramount; some hospital software systems are unable to output electronic claims data in the preferred format; and some hospitals require automatic transmission of data. Nonetheless, by establishing electronic relationships with hospitals now, the National Center for Health Statistics is poised to take advantage of future technological advances, such as electronic abstraction of electronic health records for clinical data.