Central Distributor SEDD: Description of Data Elements

DaysBetweenVisits - Number of days between visits

Documentation Sections:

General Notes

Uniform Values

State Specific Notes

General Notes

Days between visits (DaysBetweenVisits) is retained as reported by data with two exceptions. Any source-specific value for "unknown" is recoded to missing (.), and invalid characters such as negative values are set to invalid (.A). No edit checks are performed on this data element during HCUP processing to verify the time between events.

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Uniform Values

Variable Description Value Value Description DaysBetweenVisits Number of days between visits 0 or higher Days between visits . Missing .A Invalid

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State Specific Notes

Massachusetts Source documentation indicates that the days between visits is calculated by sorting the file by a unique patient identifier (that tracks individuals across hospitals), admission date, and discharge date. For patients with two or more admissions, the calculation subtracts the previous discharge date from the current admission date to find the days between visits. In Massachusetts, a zero value for DaysBetweenVisits occurs in the following cases:. There is not a unique person identifier on the record (i.e., not reported, unknown or invalid). There is only one record for the patient in the calendar year. The discharge date on one admission is the same as the admission date on a subsequent admission. This situation occurs for transfer patients, as well as for women admitted into the hospital with false labor.

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