The following links provide data elements descriptions for the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS).

Data element descriptions explain how the data element is coded in the HCUP databases, what the uniform values are, and State-specific coding practices. The descriptions are cumulative across all States and years of NEDS data from 2006 to the current data year. Please note the following:

• Not all data elements in the NEDS are uniformly coded across States. State-Specific notes are not available at this time.
• Not all data elements in the NEDS are available from every State.

The NEDS are calendar year files based on discharge date for all data years except 2015. Because of the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS on October 1, 2015, data elements related to diagnoses and procedures are included in files that are split into two parts. Nine months of the 2015 data with ICD-9-CM codes (ED visits from January 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015) are in one set of files labeled Q1Q3. Three months of 2015 data with ICD-10-CM/PCS codes (ED visits from October 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015) are in a separate set of files labeled Q4. All NEDS data elements are listed in alphabetical order below, showing the NEDS file location for years other than 2015 and for 2015. More information about the changes to the HCUP databases for ICD-10-CM/PCS and use of data across the two-coding systems may be found on the HCUP-US website under ICD-10-CM/PCS Resources.

For a description of how HCUP data elements are coded, and uniform values, check the corresponding boxes below and then click the "View Description of Data Elements".