Data is collected daily by the DOHMH from 49 of the 52 NYC EDs, representing approximately 95% of all ED visits in NYC. Variability in data fields between and within EDs has been noticed for some time. Differences in chief complaint (CC) characteristics and inconsistent availability of data elements, such as disposition and diagnosis, suggest that procedures, coding practices and health information systems (HIS) are not standardized across all NYC EDs, and may change within EDs. These differences may have an unapparent effect on the DOHMH’s ability to consistently categorize ED visits into syndrome groupings, which may alter how syndromic trends are analyzed. Prior to this project, the DOHMH had no method in place to regularly capture, evaluate or utilize this level of ED-specific information.
Objective
To describe the development, implementation, and analysis of a hospital based emergency department (ED) survey and site visit project conducted by the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).