Sampled hospitals are screened for eligibility by telephone and interviewed by personal visit. During the initial interview, the hospital administrator or other designated hospital representative provides information on the availability, location, and services offered by outpatient department clinics and emergency departments. During the 4-week reporting period, hospital staff maintain a log of all patient visits, select a sample of patient visits, and record information on a sample of patients. The sample is designed to produce annual data. The primary respondents are medical records personnel with the assistance of attending physicians and nurses.
Hospital administrators are primary respondents for the induction interview.
The Census Bureau is performing the work under the authority of Title 15, United States Code, Section 1525. The survey is conducted on a yearly basis, from January through December. The same hospitals remain in sample from year to year. The NCHS publishes reports within 12-15 months of each yearly cycle. Public use files are available from NCHS within 2 years of each cycle.