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Technical Specifications

Quick links:
HCAHPS Public Reporting Periods | HCAHPS V3.2 Submission of 5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS
Discharges in a Month
| HCAHPS V3.1 Submission of 5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS
Discharges in a Month
| HCAHPS V3.2 Submission of "Zero Cases" | HCAHPS V3.1 Submission of "Zero
Cases"
| HCAHPS XML V3.2 Edit Messages | HCAHPS V3.1 Known Issues | XML File
Specifications V3.2
| XML File Specifications V3.1 | HCAHPS V3.2 Release Notes | HCAHPS
V3.1 Release Notes


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HCAHPS Public Reporting Periods


March 2010 through March 2011

Click here to view the complete HCAHPS Public Reporting Periods document. This document indicates which calendar quarters of HCAHPS results will be publicly reported on the Hospital Compare website through March 2011.

Please Note: The dates of future preview periods and public reporting are estimates based on current timetables and thus are subject to change.


HCAHPS V3.2 Submission of 5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month

Below please find instructions for uploading "5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month" information via My QualityNet using the Online Data Entry Tool or the XML file format for July 1, 2010 patient discharges and forward.

Online Tool

Please note the following:

  • One header record must be completed for each month that an organization has "5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month."
  • The NPI element is not required at this time, but may be entered if the information is available
  • For "survey mode," select "Mail only."
  • For "determination of service line," select the method used to determine the patient's eligibility.
  • For "number eligible discharge," enter actual count of eligible discharges for the month.
  • For "sample size," enter zero
  • For "sample type," select "Simple Random Sample."


XML File Format

Below is an example of the header record layout that must be submitted for each month that an organization has "5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month."

<header>
<provider-name>Some Hospital</provider-name>
<provider-id>123456</provider-id>
(NPI is not required)
<discharge-yr>2010</discharge-yr>
<discharge-month>4</discharge-month> (for July)
<survey-mode>1</survey-mode > (for Mail only)
<determination-of-service-line>1</determination-of-service-line> (for V.27 or V.26 or V.25 MS-DRG codes)
<number-eligible-discharge>enter actual count i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5</number-eligible-discharge>
<sample-size>0</sample-size>
<sample-type>1</sample-type> (for Simple Random Sample)
</header>

Please contact HCAHPS Information and Technical Support by email at hcahps@azqio.sdps.org or by telephone at 1-888-884-4007 with any questions.



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HCAHPS V3.1 Submission of 5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month

Below please find instructions for uploading "5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month" information via My QualityNet using the Online Data Entry Tool or the XML file format for April 2009 patient discharges and forward.

Online Tool

Please note the following:

  • One header record must be completed for each month that an organization has "5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month."
  • The NPI element is not required at this time, but may be entered if the information is available.
  • For "survey mode," select "Mail only."
  • For "determination of service line," select the method used to determine the patient's eligibility.
  • For "number eligible discharge," enter actual count of eligible discharges for the month.
  • For "sample size," enter zero
  • For "sample type," select "Simple Random Sample."

XML File Format

Below is an example of the header record layout that must be submitted for each month that an organization has "5 or Fewer Eligible HCAHPS Discharges in a Month."

<header>
<provider-name>Some Hospital</provider-name>
<provider-id>123456</provider-id>
(NPI is not required)
<discharge-yr>2009</discharge-yr>
<discharge-month>4</discharge-month> (for April)
<survey-mode>1</survey-mode > (for Mail only)
<determination-of-service-line>1</determination-of-service-line> (for V.26 or V.25 MS-DRG codes)
<number-eligible-discharge>enter actual count i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5</number-eligible-discharge>
<sample-size>0</sample-size>
<sample-type>1</sample-type> (for Simple Random Sample)
</header>

Please contact HCAHPS Information and Technical Support by email at hcahps@azqio.sdps.org or by telephone at 1-888-884-4007 with any questions.



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HCAHPS 3.2 Submission of "Zero Cases"

Below please find instructions for uploading "Zero Case" information via My QualityNet using the Online Data Entry Tool or the XML file format for July 2010 patient discharges and forward.

Online Tool

Please note the following:

  • One header record must be completed for each month that an organization has "Zero Cases."
  • The NPI element is not required at this time, but may be entered if the information is available.
  • For "survey mode," select "Mail only."
  • For "determination of service line," select "1 – V.27, V.26 or V.25 MS-DRG codes."
  • For "number eligible discharge," and "sample size" enter 0.
  • For "sample type," select "Simple Random Sample."

XML File Format

Below is an example of the header record layout that must be submitted for each month that an organization has "Zero Cases."

<header>
<provider-name>Some Hospital</provider-name>
<provider-id>123456</provider-id>
(NPI is not required)
<discharge-yr>2009</discharge-yr>
<discharge-month>4</discharge-month> (for April)
<survey-mode>1</survey-mode > (for Mail only)
<determination-of-service-line>1</determination-of-service-line> (for V.27, V.26 or V2.5 MS-DRG codes)
<number-eligible-discharge>0</number-eligible-discharge>
<sample-size>0</sample-size>
<sample-type>1</sample-type> (for Simple Random Sample)
</header>

Please contact HCAHPS Information and Technical Support by email at hcahps@azqio.sdps.org or by telephone at 1-888-884-4007 with any questions.


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HCAHPS 3.1 Submission of "Zero Cases"

Below please find instructions for uploading "Zero Case" information via My QualityNet using the Online Data Entry Tool or the XML file format for April 2009 patient discharges and forward.

Online Tool

Please note the following:

  • One header record must be completed for each month that an organization has "Zero Cases."
  • The NPI element is not required at this time, but may be entered if the information is available.
  • For "survey mode," select "Mail only."
  • For "determination of service line," select "1 – V.26 or V.25 MS-DRG codes."
  • For "number eligible discharge," and "sample size" enter 0.
  • For "sample type," select "Simple Random Sample."

XML File Format

Below is an example of the header record layout that must be submitted for each month that an organization has "Zero Cases."

<header>
<provider-name>Some Hospital</provider-name>
<provider-id>123456</provider-id>
(NPI is not required)
<discharge-yr>2009</discharge-yr>
<discharge-month>4</discharge-month> (for April)
<survey-mode>1</survey-mode > (for Mail only)
<determination-of-service-line>1</determination-of-service-line> (for V.26 or V.25 MS-DRG codes)
<number-eligible-discharge>0</number-eligible-discharge>
<sample-size>0</sample-size>
<sample-type>1</sample-type> (for Simple Random Sample)
</header>

Please contact HCAHPS Information and Technical Support by email at hcahps@azqio.sdps.org or by telephone at 1-888-884-4007 with any questions.


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HCAHPS V3.2 Edit Messages

Click here to view or download a copy of the HCAHPS V3.2 Edit Messages.


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HCAHPS V3.1 Known Issues

Click here to view or download a copy of the HCAHPS V3.1 Known Issues document.


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XML File Specifications Version 3.2

XML File Specifications Version 3.2 is effective beginning with third quarter 2010 patient discharges.

The HCAHPS 3.2 Warehouse and the updated HCAHPS Online Data Entry Tool have been released. HCAHPS survey data for eligible discharges from July 1, 2010 forward may now be submitted via XML format or the HCAHPS Online Data Entry Tool accessed from My QualityNet.

Click here for the XML File Specifications Version 3.2, the XML File Sample Layout without DSRS Version 3.2 and the XML File Sample Layout with DSRS Version 3.2.


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XML File Specifications Version 3.1

XML File Specifications Version 3.1 is effective beginning with second quarter 2009 patient discharges.

The HCAHPS 3.1 Warehouse and the updated HCAHPS Online Data Entry Tool have been released. HCAHPS survey data for eligible discharges from April 1, 2009 forward may now be submitted via XML format or the HCAHPS Online Data Entry Tool accessed from My QualityNet.

Click here for the XML File Specifications Version 3.1, the XML File Sample Layout without DSRS Version 3.1 and the XML File Sample Layout with DSRS Version 3.1.


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HCAHPS V3.2 Release Notes

Click here to view or download a copy of the HCAHPS V3.2 Release Notes


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HCAHPS V3.1 Release Notes

Click here to view or download a copy of the HCAHPS V3.1 Release Notes


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