Att A - Intro Letter to Hospitals

ATTACHMENT A: Introductory Letter to NHAMCS Hospitals

NHAMCS

Endorsing Organizations

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP)

Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM)

Society of Academic Emergency Anesthesia (SAMBA)

American College of Surgeons (ACS)

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has been conducting the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), an annual study of hospital-based outpatient care, since 1992. The purpose of this study is to collect information about the large portion of ambulatory care provided by hospital outpatient and emergency departments and ambulatory surgery locations throughout the United States. The information requested includes data about patient visit and hospital characteristics.

Many organizations and leaders in the health care community, including those providing the enclosed letters of endorsement, have expressed their support and join me in urging your participation in this meaningful study. The following are some key points about the survey.

• Data collection for the NHAMCS is authorized by Section 306 of the Public Health Service Act (Title 42, U.S. Code, 242k).

• All information collected will be held confidential according to Section 308(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42, U.S. Code, 242m(d)) and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (Title 5 of PL 107-347) and will be used for statistical purposes only. No patient names, social security numbers, or addresses are collected. Provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act provide for a felony conviction and/or fine of up to $250,000 if this promise is violated.

• U.S. Census Bureau employees, who administer the study, have taken an oath to abide by Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9, which requires them to keep all information about your hospital and patients confidential.

• The Privacy Rule as mandated by HIPAA allows your hospital to participate.

• Disclosure of patient data is permitted for public health purposes.

• NHAMCS has been approved by the NCHS Research Ethics Review Board.

A representative of the Census Bureau, acting as our agent, will be calling you to schedule an appointment regarding the details of your participation, which is voluntary. We may also contact you for future studies. You or your staff may refuse to answer any question or may stop participating at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. If you have any questions regarding your participation, please call a NHAMCS representative at (800) 223-3815. Visit the NHAMCS participant website for more information about the survey (www.cdc.gov/nhamcs). We greatly appreciate your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director