Guest alliance: uses of state-level hospital discharge databases

The applications of state-level hospital discharge data are increasing. SDOs, however, face several substantial challenges if they are truly to be perceived as a legitimate tool for managing the healthcare system. These challenges include obtaining a commitment at the state and national levels, and in the public and private sectors, to the following principles: promotion of the long-term stability of SDOs; expansion of state databases beyond hospitals into ambulatory and long term care settings; and provision of necessary financial, technical, and educational assistance so that SDOs can meet their legislative mandates. Stakeholders should be educated about the value of state-level data. SDOs should expand their dissemination efforts as a way of reinforcing the importance of placing data in the public domain. NAHDO is working with SDOs and other data collectors and users to improve uniformity, standardization, access, and use of health data.