Central Distributor SID: Description of Data Elements

SURGID_S - Synthetic primary surgeon number

Documentation Sections:

General Notes

Uniform Values

State Specific Notes

General Notes

For HCUP data from 2001 to 2002, this data element is called MDNUM2_S. Beginning in 2003, this data element is called MDNUM2_R. SURGID_S contains a fixed-key (one-to-one) encryption of the supplied primary surgeon number (SURGID), according to the following rules: All alphanumeric digits are used in the encryption. All symbols such as ".,:;'*@" are retained in the encrypted value, but not in the same location. Leading zeros are encrypted so that the two original physician identifiers "000A6" and "A6" are distinctly different. When the original attending physician and primary surgeon identifiers are the same, the synthetic identifiers, MDID_S and SURGID_S, are the same. When the SURGID in the ambulatory surgery data and the inpatient data are the same, the synthetic identifier, SURGID_S is the same. Except in those data sources where physician license numbers are supplied, it is not known whether the physician identifier SURGID_S refers to individual physicians or to groups. If the primary surgeon numbers supplied by the data source are not restricted to license numbers, the state-specific note includes available information about reporting practices, including whether SURGID_S refers to individual physicians or to groups. Beginning in the 1993 data, supplied physician identifiers were checked for null characters. If null characters were found, they were replaced by blanks before the identifier was encrypted. Since this conversion was not done in prior years of HCUP data, the encrypted physician identifiers from 1993 on may not match those in earlier years. However, null characters are rarely included.

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Uniform Values

Variable Description Value Value Description SURGID_S Synthetic primary surgeon number 16(a) Synthetic physician identifier Blank Missing

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State Specific Notes

Arizona The identification number for primary surgeons (SURGID_S) may not accurately track physicians across hospitals for the following reasons: Some hospitals assign their own internal other physician identification numbers rather than using the license numbers issued by the licensing agency of the physician or other health care practitioner. Information was not available about the prevalence of this practice. Some hospitals use one identification number for several physicians that are part of the same physician practice group. Information was not available about the prevalence of this practice. Arizona's identification number for primary surgeons includes license numbers from the following board of examiners: Medical, Osteopathic, Podiatrists, and Nurses. In addition, Arizona accepts licensing numbers from other health practitioner licensing boards, but these boards are unspecified. Colorado The primary surgeon number (SURGID_S) may not accurately track physicians across hospitals. The state encourages hospitals to use the Professional State License Number as an identifier, but some hospitals continue to use their own internal identification number. Also, some hospitals appear to pad the Professional State License Number (a 5-digit code). Information was not available from the data source about the prevalence of these practices. Some hospitals may use one license number for all physicians in order to protect physician confidentiality. Information was not available about the prevalence of this practice. Florida Florida reports state license numbers for the operating physician identifiers. During HCUP processing, physician identifiers were encrypted (SURGID_S).

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