All reports identify sources of data and time periods covered. The following is additional information about various data sources:

Public Data Sources:

Public Use Files are obtained from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and are consistent with CMS Data Release policies.

Financial information from Medicare cost reports is maintained in cooperation with Cost Report Data Resources, an online source for cost report data.

Medicare Cost Reports
The Healthcare Cost Report Information System (HCRIS) dataset contains the most recent version (i.e. as submitted, settled, reopened) of each cost report filed with CMS (formerly HCFA) since federal FY 1996. The dataset consists of every data element included in the HCRIS extract created for CMS by a provider's fiscal intermediary.  Cost reports are filed annually by hospitals according to their individual reporting years.  This dataset is updated quarterly by CMS.  All Financial Information reports based on cost report data indicate a hospital's fiscal year(s) in the column headers.

Medicare Claims Data - Inpatient
The Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) file contains billing records for all Medicare beneficiaries using hospital inpatient services.   [Patient confidentiality is carefully protected and reporting is in compliance with CMS (formerly HCFA) data release policies.]  The MedPAR Limited Data Set (LDS) is based on discharges during the federal fiscal year ending September 30.  The final file is generally available in early August following the end of the fiscal year.  All Inpatient Utilization reports based on MedPAR information indicate the fiscal year period in their headers.

Medicare Claims Data - Outpatient
The Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Identifiable Data Set contains claim records for all Medicare beneficiaries using hospital outpatient services.  [Patient confidentiality is carefully protected and reporting is in compliance with CMS data release policies.]  The final file is usually provided by CMS about one month after publication of the OPPS final rule each year.  All Outpatient Utilization reports based on this information indicate the reporting period in their headers.

Medicare Provider of Services Listing
The Medicare Provider of Services Listing contains identifying information for each Medicare provider.  This information is updated quarterly by CMS (formerly HCFA).  All reports based on Provider of Services information indicate the update period in their headers.

Medicare Hospital Service Area File
The Medicare Hospital Service Area File is derived from the calendar year inpatient claims data. The records contain number of discharges, length of stay, and total charges summarized by provider number and ZIP code of the Medicare beneficiary. This file is produced annually and is usually available in May.  The Patient Origin report included with Inpatient Utilization reports indicates the period in its header.

Hospital Compare - Quality Measurements
Hospital quality measurements are based on information from Hospital Compare, a website created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) along with the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA). The HQA is a public-private collaboration established to promote reporting on hospital quality of care.  Data are obtained quarterly or whenever the Hospital Compare website is updated.  The Quality reports based on Hospital Compare information indicates the period ending date for the 12-month collection period in its header.

Proprietary Data Sources:

AHD Data
American Hospital Directory maintains a proprietary database of hospital names, addresses, phone numbers, websites, and system affiliations.  This database is continually updated as new information becomes available and changes occur.  Please notify us if you see information that needs to be updated.

SK&A Contact Information
SK&A Information Services specializes in maintaining contact information for more than 75 hospital job titles and functions.  Names for six key positions are licensed by AHD and updated quarterly.  Header information in the Key Contacts section of the Profile report provides the date of the most recent update.

GPO Information
AHD reports both primary and secondary Group Purchasing Organization information.  GPO affiliations are licensed from U.S. LifeLine and updated on a quarterly basis.  Header information in the Group Purchasing Organizations section of the Profile report provides the date of the most recent update.

Accreditation Status - The Joint Commission
A hospital's accreditation status is licensed from The Joint Commission and is updated on a quarterly basis.  Header information in the Joint Commission Accreditation section of the Profile report provides the date of the most recent update.

Approved Cancer Program
A hospital's cancer program approval status is provided by The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Approvals Program and is updated on an annual basis.  Header information in the Approved Cancer Program section of the Profile report provides the date of the most recent update.

Verified Trauma Program
A hospital's trauma program verification status is provided by The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) Verification Program and is updated on an annual basis.  Header information in the Verified Trauma Program section of the Profile report provides the date of the most recent update.

Teaching Status
Data regarding ACGME-accredited specialty and subspecialty programs are from the Graduate Medical Education Database, Copyright 2006, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois.  Data are licensed from the AMA and are updated annually.  A hospital's highest level of involvement is reported.  Header information in the Teaching Status section of the Profile report provides the date of the most recent update.

Data regarding major teaching hospitals that are members of the Council of Teaching Hospials are obtained from the Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems (COTH).  Header information in the Teaching Status section of the Profile report provides the date of the most recent update.