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NEDS: Database Documentation
The NEDS is a set of hospital-based emergency department databases included in the HCUP family. These databases are created by AHRQ through a Federal-State-Industry partnership.
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The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS)

The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) produces national estimates about emergency department (ED) visits across the country. The NEDS describes ED visits, regardless of whether they result in admission, and is an exceptional resource for conducting research on high-profile emergent health delivery issues. One of the most distinctive features of the NEDS is its large sample size, which allows for analysis across hospital types and the study of relatively uncommon disorders and procedures. The links below provide detailed documentation for the NEDS.

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Restrictions on the Use of the NEDS
Description of NEDS Files
  • Introduction to the NEDS, 2010 (PDF file, 523 KB; HTML)

    • Introduction to the NEDS, 2009 (PDF file, 467 KB; HTML)
    • Introduction to the NEDS, 2008 (PDF file, 235 KB; HTML)
    • Introduction to the NEDS, 2007, (April 2010) (PDF file, 176 KB; HTML)
    • Introduction to the NEDS, 2006, (April 2010) (PDF file, 156 KB; HTML)

  • HCUP Quality Control Procedures (PDF file, 146 KB; HTML)
    Describes procedures used to assess data quality


  • File Specifications

Description of Data Elements in the NEDS
  • Description of Data Elements
    Details uniform coding and State specific idiosyncrasies


  • Summary Statistics
    Lists means and frequencies on nearly all data elements

  • HCUP Coding Practices (PDF file, 16 KB; HTML)
    Describes how HCUP data elements are coded


  • HCUP Hospital Identifiers (PDF file, 82 KB; HTML)
    Describes data elements that characterize individual hospitals
Corrections to the NEDS

Load Programs

HCUP Tools: Labels and Formats
NEDS Related Reports

Internet Citation: HCUP NEDS Database Documentation. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). December 2012. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/db/nation/neds/nedsdbdocumentation.jsp.
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If you have comments, suggestions, and/or questions, please contact hcup@ahrq.gov.
Last modified 12/6/12