Sponsor

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Mode of Administration

Data are collected through personal interviews with administrators and staff who use patient medical records. No patient was interviewed directly.

Survey Sample Design

Different sampling designs have been used throughout the years. However, beginning in 1996, the sample design was a stratified two stage probability design. The first stage consisted of the selection of a stratified sample of agencies from a list frame. The second stage of sample selection involved sampling current patients and discharges within each agency, using a sample selection table to obtain systematic probability samples of current patients and of discharges.

Primary Survey Content

Data are collected from two perspectives, both the agency and the patient. Data include referral source and length of service, diagnoses, patient charges, health status, reason for discharge, and types of services provided.

Population Targeted

Patients of U.S. home health and hospice care agencies.

Demographic Data

Gender, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, living arrangements and health status.

Years Collected

For individual years from 1992-94, 1996, 1998, and 2000.

Schedule

Periodically.

Geographic Estimates

The NHHCS covers all types of home health and hospice care agencies in the United States. Geographic regions as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census regions and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) indicators are available.

Contact Information

Agency homepage: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs.

Data system homepage: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/nhhcsd/nhhcsd.htm.

References

Haupt BJ. Characteristics of hospice care discharges and their length of service: United States, 2000. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 13(154).2003.