Source Files

The HCUP Vermont inpatient files were constructed from the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems inpatient discharge files.

Beginning with 2011 data, VAHHS provides their outpatient and inpatient records in separate source data files.

Prior to 2011, VAHHS provided a combined inpatient and outpatient source file to HCUP. Bill Type was used to split the inpatient, ambulatory surgery, and emergency department data. Any interim records (bill type = 133 or 853) or erroneous records (bill type = 001) were not retained in an HCUP database.

Types of Facilities Included in the Files Provided to HCUP by the Partner

Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems supplied discharge abstract data for inpatient stays from all licensed community hospitals in the state of Vermont.

A comparison of the number of hospitals included in the SID and the number of hospitals reported in the AHA Annual Survey is available starting in data year 2010.

Hospitals do not always report data for a full calendar year. Some hospitals open or close during the year; other hospitals have technical problems that prevent them from reporting data for all months in a year.

Inclusion of Stays in Special Units

The documentation supplied by Vermont does not indicate whether stays in special units within the hospital (e.g., psychiatric, rehabilitation, long-term care) are included in the file.

Exclusion of Records During HCUP Data Processing

Records with a discharge disposition of "still a patient" or patient admitted as an inpatient to this hospital were excluded from the HCUP Vermont inpatient data.