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NEDS Description of Data Elements

The following links provide data elements descriptions for the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS).

Data element descriptions explain how the data element is coded in the HCUP databases, what the uniform values are, and State-specific coding practices. The descriptions are cumulative across all States and years of NEDS data from 2006 to the current data year. Please note the following:
  • Not all data elements in the NEDS are uniformly coded across States. State-Specific notes are not available at this time.
  • Not all data elements in the NEDS are available from every State.
The NEDS are calendar year files based on discharge date for all data years except 2015. Because of the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS on October 1, 2015, data elements related to diagnoses and procedures are included in files that are split into two parts. Nine months of the 2015 data with ICD-9-CM codes (ED visits from January 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015) are in one set of files labeled Q1Q3. Three months of 2015 data with ICD-10-CM/PCS codes (ED visits from October 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015) are in a separate set of files labeled Q4. All NEDS data elements are listed in alphabetical order below, showing the NEDS file location for years other than 2015 and for 2015. More information about the changes to the HCUP databases for ICD-10-CM/PCS and use of data across the two-coding systems may be found on the HCUP-US website under ICD-10-CM/PCS Resources.

For a description of how HCUP data elements are coded, and uniform values, check the corresponding boxes below and then click the "View Description of Data Elements".
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Abbreviations: DX, diagnosis; PR, procedure; Q1, discharge quarter 1; Q3, discharge quarter 3; Q4, discharge quarter 4.

HCUP Data Element Descriptive Title Years File(s) for years other than 2015 File(s) in 2015
Data elements change frequently, and are only current as of the date generated.
Age in years at admission 2006+ Core Core
Admission month 2006+ Core Core
Admission day is on a weekend 2006+ Core Core
ICD-9-CM Chronic Condition Indicators 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Elixhauser Comorbidity Measure Refined for ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes 2019+ DX_PR_GRPS  
Version of the Elixhauser Comorbidity Measure Refined for ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes 2019+ DX_PR_GRPS  
Clinical Classifications Software (CCS): services and procedures classification 2008+ Supplemental ED Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental ED
CPT-4/HCPCS procedures 2006+ Supplemental ED Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental ED
Died in the ED, died in the hospital, or did not die 2006+ Core Core
Weight to discharges in the universe 2006+ Core, Hospital, Supplemental ED (except 2011-2012, 2016+), Supplemental Inpatient (except 2011-2012, 2016+) Core, Hospital
Disposition from ED 2006+ Core Core
Disposition from inpatient discharge record 2006+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Discharge quarter 2006+ Core Core
DRG in use on discharge date 2006+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
DRG in use on discharge date, calculated without POA 2008+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
DRG or MS-DRG grouper version used on discharge date 2006+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Clinical Classifications Software (CCS): ICD-9-CM diagnosis classification 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR): ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Classification within Body System AAA 2018+ DX_PR_GRPS  
Default Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for principal/first-listed ICD-10-CM diagnosis 2018+ DX_PR_GRPS  
Version of the Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes 2018+ DX_PR_GRPS  
ICD-9-CM Diagnosis 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Diagnosis codes ICD version indicator 2015-2017 Core Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental ED
Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) for ICD-9-CM External Cause of Injury Code 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
ICD-9-CM External Cause of Injury Code 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Type of ED event 2006+ Core Core
Indicator of sex 2006+ Core Core
Source of HCUP Record (SID or SEDD) 2006+ Core, Supplemental ED (prior to 2011), Supplemental Inpatient (prior to 2011) Core, Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental ED, Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Control/ownership of hospital 2006+ Hospital Hospital
HCUP ED hospital identifier 2006+ Core, DX_PR_GRPS, Hospital, Supplemental ED, Supplemental Inpatient Core, Hospital, Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental ED, Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Region of hospital 2006+ Core (prior to 2011), Hospital Core, Hospital
Hospital trauma level designation 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Teaching status of hospital 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Hospital urban-rural designation 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Weight to hospitals in the universe 2006+ Hospital Hospital
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis 2015+ Core Q4 Supplemental ED, Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
ICD-10-CM External Cause of Morbidity Code 2015-2016 Core Q4 Supplemental ED, Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Injury ICD-10-CM diagnosis reported on record 2017+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: cut or pierce 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: drowning or submersion 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: fall 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: fire, flame, hot object, or hot substance 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: firearm 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: machinery 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: motor vehicle traffic, including the occupant of a car, motorcyclist, pedal cyclist, pedestrian, other, or unspecified 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: natural or environmental, including venomous and nonvenomous bites and stings 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: overexertion 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: poisoning, including drugs and nondrugs 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: struck by or against 2018+ Core Not available
Mechanism of injury: suffocation 2018+ Core Not available
Intent of injury: assault 2018+ Core Not available
Intent of injury: intentional self-harm 2018+ Core Not available
Intent of injury: unintentional 2018+ Core Not available
Multiple ICD-10-CM injuries reported on record 2017+ Core Not available
Number of ICD-10-CM diagnoses on this discharge 2015+ Core Q4 Supplemental ED, Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Number of ICD-10-CM External Cause of Morbidity codes on this record 2015-2016 Core Q4 Supplemental ED, Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Number of procedures on the ED admission record 2015+ Supplemental Inpatient Q4 Supplemental ED, Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
ICD-10-PCS procedure code 2015+ Supplemental Inpatient Q4 Supplemental ED, Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Injury ICD-9-CM diagnosis reported on record 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by cutting or piercing 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by drowning or submersion 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by falling 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by fire, flame, or hot object 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by firearm 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by machinery 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by motor vehicle traffic, including the occupant of a car, motorcyclist, pedal cyclist, pedestrian, or unspecified person 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury involving natural or environmental causes, including bites and stings 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by poisoning 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury severity score assigned by ICDPIC Stata program 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury involving being struck by or against something 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by suffocation 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury by assault 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Intentional self harm indicated on the record (by diagnosis and/or E codes) 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Injury was unintentional 2009-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
HCUP NEDS record identifier 2006+ Core, DX_PR_GRPS, Supplemental ED, Supplemental Inpatient Core, Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental ED, Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Length of stay for inpatient stay 2006+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
MDC in effect on discharge date 2006+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
MDC in use on discharge date, calculated without POA 2009+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Multiple ICD-9-CM injuries reported 2009-2015 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Number of universe discharges in the stratum 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Number of universe hospitals in the stratum 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Number of CPT/HCPCS procedures for this discharge 2006+ Supplemental ED Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental ED
Number of ICD-9-CM diagnoses on this discharge 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Number of ICD-9-CM External of Cause of Injury Codes on this Record 2006-2015 Q3 Core Q1 and Q3 Supplemental ED, Q1 and Q3 Supplemental Inpatient (not in Q4)
Stratum used to sample hospital 2006+ Core, Hospital, Supplemental ED (2013-2014), Supplemental Inpatient (2013-2014) Core, Hospital
Number of procedures on the ED record 2006-2014 Supplemental ED  
Number of procedures on the ED inpatient record 2006-2015 Q3 Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Expected primary payer, uniform 2006+ Core Core
Expected secondary payer, uniform 2006+ Core Core
Procedure class 2006-2014 Supplemental ED  
Procedure class 2006-2015 Q3 Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 Supplemental Inpatient
Procedure Classes Refined for ICD-10-PCS procedure codes 2019+ Supplemental Inpatient  
Version of the Procedure Classes Refined for ICD-10-PCS procedure codes 2019+ Supplemental Inpatient  
Patient Location: NCHS Urban-Rural Code 2013+ Core Core
Patient Location: NCHS Urban-Rural Code, 2006 2006-2012 Core  
ICD-9-CM procedure code 2006-2014 Supplemental ED  
ICD-9-CM procedure code 2006-2015 Q3 Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 Supplemental Inpatient
Clinical Classifications Software (CCS): procedure classification 2006-2014 Supplemental ED  
Clinical Classifications Software (CCS): procedure classification 2006-2015 Q3 Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 Supplemental Inpatient
Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR): ICD-10-PCS Procedure Classification within Clinical Domain aaa 2019+ Supplemental Inpatient  
Version of the Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-PCS procedure codes 2019+ Supplemental Inpatient  
Procedure codes ICD version indicator 2015-2017 Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Race/ethnicity of patient 2019+ Core  
Number of discharges in the sample for the stratum 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Number of hospitals in the sample for the stratum 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Total number of ED visits from this hospital in the NEDS 2006+ Hospital Hospital
Total charge for ED services 2006+ Core Core
Total charge for ED and inpatient services 2006+ Supplemental Inpatient Q1Q3 and Q4 Supplemental Inpatient
Calendar year 2006+ Core, Hospital Core, Hospital
Median household income for patient's ZIP Code (based on current year) 2006+ Core Core

Abbreviations: DX, diagnosis; PR, procedure; Q1, discharge quarter 1; Q3, discharge quarter 3; Q4, discharge quarter 4.

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Internet Citation: NEDS Description of Data Elements. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). March 2024. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/db/nation/neds/nedsdde.jsp.
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Last modified 03/19/24