HCUP has developed a series of free, interactive courses to provide HCUP data users with information about HCUP data and tools, and training on technical methods for conducting research with HCUP data. The on-line courses are modular, so you can either move through an entire course, or access sections that interest you the most.

There are two versions of each course. To run the Interactive version, Flash Player must be installed on your computer, audio must be turned on, and pop-up blockers must be temporarily disabled. Links to text versions of the courses are provided below as an alternative to the Interactive version.

The interactive, modular HCUP Overview Course provides a wealth of information about HCUP data, software tools, and products. The course describes where HCUP data come from, the features and uses of each database, software tools, technical support and much more.

HCUP Overview Course Length 90 minutes (uses Adobe Flash player)

Overview Course Transcript (text version in HTML) (best version for printing)

This tutorial explains the sampling strategy of the three nationwide databases-the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID), and the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS). Users will learn how to account for sample design in their work with HCUP nationwide databases.

HCUP Sample Design Tutorial Length 30 minutes (uses Adobe Flash Player)

Sample Design Tutorial Transcript (text version in HTML) (best version for printing)

This tutorial provides instructions on how to unzip (decompress) HCUP data, save it on the computer, and load the data into a standard statistical software package. Users will also learn how to verify that the data have loaded correctly. Included examples are based on 2007 data, but more recent data years are available for use.

HCUP Load and Check Tutorial Length 20 minutes (uses Adobe Flash Player)

Load and Check Tutorial Transcript (text version in HTML) (best version for printing)

This tutorial demonstrates how the three nationwide databases the - NIS, NEDS, and KID - can be used to produce national and regional estimates. Users will learn how to select and apply the appropriate discharge or hospital weights in order to generate national estimates from unweighted counts. Included examples are based on 2006 and 2007 data, but more recent data years are available for use.

Producing HCUP National Estimates Tutorial Length 45 minutes (uses Adobe Flash Player)

Producing HCUP National Estimates Tutorial Transcript (text version in HTML) (best version for printing)

This tutorial shows how to accurately determine the precision of the estimates produced from the HCUP nationwide databases. Users will learn two methods for calculating standard errors for estimates produced from the HCUP nationwide databases.

HCUP Calculating Standard Errors Tutorial Length 30 minutes (uses Adobe Flash Player)

Calculating Standard Errors Tutorial Transcript (text version in HTML) (best version for printing)

This tutorial presents solutions that may be necessary when conducting analyses that span multiple years. Errors in study results may occur when two or more years of data are combined. This course will describe problems that may arise when using multiple years of HCUP data and provide you with easy solutions for addressing these issues. The course presents examples and solutions using the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). Some of the issues described are also relevant to other HCUP databases.

HCUP Multi-year Analysis Tutorial

HCUP Multi-Year Analysis Tutorial Transcript (text version in HTML)

If you have comments about any of the HCUP tutorials or suggestions for how we can improve them, please let us know by sending an e-mail to hcup@ahrq.gov. If you are having difficulty using the HCUP tutorials, please click on the technical guidance document below for instructions. If you are still having difficulty, please contact hcup@ahrq.gov for assistance or call HCUP User Support at 1-866-290-HCUP.

• User Quick Guide for On-line HCUP Courses (PDF file, 41 KB)