NSQIP PUF User Guide 2015
User Manual:
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Page Count: 26

American College of Surgeons
National Surgical Quality
Improvement Program
“Quality Improvement through Quality Data”
Revised Version
October 2016

Data Update
Initially, in October 2016, the 2015 PUF datasets were issued with certain inconsistencies that
were subsequently identified and corrected in revised datasets. These inconsistencies involved
the following data fields:
1. Height and Weight in the Adult PUF
2. C. diff (NOTHCDIFF, OTHCDIFF) in the Adult PUF
Please make certain that in all research efforts you are using the most recent release of the PUF
for any period.
ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
Contents
______________________________________________________________________
Section Page
1. Introduction 1
2. Data Request Process 1
3. File Description 2
4. Data Variable Updates 3
5. Data Collection Background and Data Quality 4
6. Sampling Process and Case Exclusion Criteria 5
7. Data Limitations 6
8. Contact Information 8
9. Frequently Asked Questions 9
10. Data Variables and Definitions 13

ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
1. Introduction
This document is designed to accompany the 2015 Participant Use Data File (PUF) available for
download on the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement
Program (ACS NSQIP) website ( www.facs.org/quality-programs/acs-nsqip ). The sections
contained herein will provide the user with information on how to request the PUF, the contents
of the data files, the data collection background, the inclusion and exclusion criteria for cases and
hospitals, the data limitations, and the data point definitions and descriptions.
This user guide applies specifically to the 2015 PUF. Hospitals utilizing the PUF from a
different year should refer to the user guide specifically tailored to that particular data set.
2. Data Request Process
An individual who has an official appointment at a fully enrolled site and wants to obtain a copy
of the ACS NSQIP PUF can do so by visiting www.facs.org/quality-programs/acs-nsqip and
following the steps listed below:
1. From the ACS NSQIP main page (www.facs.org/quality-programs/acs-nsqip) the
requestor can scroll down to the “Quick Links” box on the left side. Within that box you
can click on the “Participant Use Data File” link. This will take you to the PUF
information and request page.
2. Following a brief introduction and explanation of the various PUFs, the requestor can
click on “Request Data Set.”
3. This will take the requestor to the Data Use Agreement. This is a 3-page document that
implements the data protections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the ACS NSQIP Hospital Participation Agreement. Delivery
of the PUF is contingent on agreement to the terms and conditions specified within the
Data Use Agreement. You can read the Data Use Agreement from this page or download
the 3-page document. The requestor is then required to type in their first and last name
and click on “Request Data File.” By clicking on “Request Data File” the requestor
agrees to the terms and conditions of the Data Use Agreement.
4. Requestors will then be required to complete a brief online form to provide ACS with
basic information about themselves, including the participating hospital in which they are
currently employed and in what capacity, as well as how the requestor plans on using the
PUF data. Once all of the required fields are completed, the requestor clicks “Submit.”
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
5. ACS NSQIP staff will review the request in a timely manner. Program contacts at
participating sites will be contacted at this time to confirm the requestor’s affiliation with
the hospital and confirm internal approval of the PUF request.
6. Following receipt and confirmation of the information submitted, an email will be sent to
the requestor containing a username and password along with the URL to download the
data. The web link will be active from the time of the email for 10 full days (240 hours).
7. The file will be available in three different formats (Text, SPSS, SAS) and depending on
the connection speed should take between 5 and 30 minutes to download.
8. The requestor may be contacted to confirm receipt of the data file and allow for feedback
on the delivery mechanism, data points contained, and data file format.
3. File Description
Each summer/fall a PUF will be made available for the previous calendar year’s data. The PUF
is available in one of three different formats - Text, SAS, and SPSS. In 2008, we provided an
additional file that contains SAS and SPSS codes for constructing RACE variable that was
available in previous years. The 2015 file contains 273 variables for each case, and a variable-
by-variable description is provided starting on page 13.
A brief description of the different formats follows:
File Name Type Uncompressed
File Size
Description
ACS_NSQIP_PUF15_v2.txt
tab
delimited
TXT file
1.4 GB
Contains 273 HIPAA
compliant variables
on 885,502 cases
submitted from 603
sites in 2015.
ACS_NSQIP_PUF15_v2.sas7bdat
SAS 9.2
data file
5.1 GB
Same information as
stated above in TXT
data format.
ACS_NSQIP_PUF15_v2.sav
SPSS 16.0
data file
2.9 GB
Same information as
stated above in TXT
and SAS data format.
Construct_RACE_Codes.txt Notepad
file
3KB Contains SAS and
SPSS codes for
constructing RACE
variable that was
available in 2005,
2006 and 2007.
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
4. Data Variable Updates
There are several changes to the “Data Variables” list beginning on Page 13 of this document.
The “Variable Definition” column (as it appeared in the PUF User Guides from 2005-2014) has
been removed. It has been replaced by a column titled: “Search Term in Chapter 4…”
Beginning with this PUF, abbreviated definitions have been removed from the Variable
Definition field. So that investigators will have ready access to complete and authoritative
variable definitions (rather than past definitions which may be incomplete and potentially
misleading with respect to nuanced clinical features of importance to the investigator), the
“Search Term in Chapter 4…” field will now contain a search term that will locate the complete
definition in Chapter 4 of the “ACS NSQIP Operations Manual” - the authoritative variable
definition reference manual used by SCRs. Please be aware that Chapter 4 definitions are year
specific, though dramatic changes are rare.
Variables names have been reconciled so that you can copy the entire text within an individual
cell from the column titled “Search Term in Chapter 4…” in the User Guide, and paste it into a
search field (you can create a search field by simultaneously hitting Ctrl and F on your keyboard)
in Chapter 4. Once the text is copied into the search field and enter is hit, you will see the
variable definition and other information pertinent to that particular variable.
To support this new process, investigators receiving the PUF will have the opportunity to
download a Chapter 4 corresponding to the specific PUF year (beginning with data for 2015).
Appropriate definitions will continue to be provided in the “Search Term in Chapter 4…” field
for those variables that are constructed specifically for the PUF and do not exist in Chapter 4.
Chapter 4 will be made available to you for download with the rest of your requested PUF files
or by contacting your hospital’s Surgical Clinical Reviewer (SCR). Data Use Agreements will
now apply to the use and distribution of Chapter 4, as well as PUF data itself.
A new variable, “PUFYEAR” has been added to the dataset. This variable will allow you to
identify the appropriate Chapter 4 for data that has been merged across several years.
In prior years we have retained data fields for historical variables that are no longer collected and
inserted missing values. Beginning this year, we are dropping all variables that are not currently
collected. Thus, the number of variables included in the Essential PUF is fewer this year than in
past years. Also, because the position of data fields is no longer consistent across years, it will no
longer be possible to join data across years by merely concatenating files. Files will need to be
merged by variable name using appropriate statistical software.
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
5. Data Collection Background and Data Quality
The ACS NSQIP collects data on over 150 variables, including preoperative risk factors,
intraoperative variables, and 30-day postoperative mortality and morbidity outcomes for patients
undergoing major surgical procedures in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. A site’s trained
and certified Surgical Clinical Reviewer (SCR) captures these data using a variety of methods
including medical chart abstraction.
Required data variables are entered via web-based data collection to the ACS NSQIP website.
Portions of the data may be automatically populated by a software program that was developed
to extract data from the participating hospital’s existing information systems. Requestors should
contact the SCR(s) at their hospital for detailed information on how the hospital collects its ACS
NSQIP data.
To ensure the data collected are of the highest quality, the ACS NSQIP has developed a host of
different training mechanisms for the SCRs and conducts an Inter-Rater Reliability (IRR) Audit
of selected participating sites. In addition to an initial web-based training program, the ACS
NSQIP requires SCRs to complete a series of web-based training modules followed by a
certification exam that must be retaken annually. The modules and certification exam focus on
the program, processes, and analysis; preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative definitions;
and case studies. These modules are complemented by a growing online decision support system
that ensures the SCRs have the knowledge and resources available to collect high-quality data.
The IRR Audit is a fundamental tool of ACS NSQIP to assess the quality of the data collected at
participating sites. The process involves the review of multiple charts, some of which are
selected randomly and others selected based on criteria designed to identify potential reporting
errors. For example, cases with five or more preoperative risk factors and no reported mortality
or morbidity or cases with two or fewer preoperative risk factors and reported mortality or
morbidity will be selected for chart review. Operating room logs are also audited to ensure
correct sampling of cases.
The combined results of the audits completed to date revealed an overall disagreement rate of
approximately 2% for all assessed program variables. The ACS NSQIP has determined that an
IRR Audit disagreement rate of 5% or less is acceptable. Sites that have higher than a 5%
disagreement rate are not provided a hospital odds ratio in the ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report
and may be required to undergo an additional audit following training and education
recommendations from the ACS NSQIP.
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6. Sampling Process and Case Exclusion Criteria
Sites participating in the ACS NSQIP can do so in a variety of options that cover
general/vascular surgery, multispecialty surgery, or procedure targeted (reported separately).
Each participation option includes a systematic sampling process that is described below.
Systematic Sampling Process
Larger institutions normally experience a significant volume of surgical cases. This presents the
problem of managing an overwhelming workload. In order to prevent bias in choosing cases for
assessment, a systematic sampling process was developed. An important tool to utilize while
performing the systematic sampling process is the 8-Day Cycle Schedule. The 8-day cycle works
as follows: If the first ‘cycle’ begins on a Monday, it continues through to include the following
Monday (an 8-day period of time). The next cycle begins on Tuesday and continues through to
include the following Tuesday. And so on. This process assures that over time cases have equal
chances of being selected from each day of the week.
Note: There are some exceptions to the systematic sampling inclusion. Hospitals participating in
the Small & Rural option will collect all ACS NSQIP®-eligible cases at their hospital. Hospitals
participating in Essentials (Multispecialty only) or in the Procedure Targeted (General/Vascular
OR Multispecialty) options are provided with sampling requirements specific to their site and
may opt to collect more than the specified sampling requirements if resources allow.
Case Exclusion Criteria
The following exclusion criteria were applied to cases collected in 2015. For the current
inclusion/exclusion criteria please contact the ACS NSQIP Clinical Support Team at
clinicalsupport@acsnsqip.org.
Minor Cases (all cases that are not considered Major)
Patients under the age of 18 years.
Patient for the case in question has been assigned with an ASA score of 6 (brain-death
organ donors).
Cases involving Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
Trauma cases: Any patient that meets the trauma exclusion criteria will be excluded.
Transplant cases: For any patient who is admitted to the hospital and has a transplant
procedure, that transplant procedure and any additional surgical procedure during the
transplant hospitalization will be excluded.
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
Cases beyond three per cycle for limited cases: For each program option (excluding
Small & Rural), only a maximum of three cases from each of the below procedures
should be included per 8-day cycle. Any case beyond the case limit of three for any of
these procedures should be excluded.
o Inguinal Herniorrhaphies
o Breast Lumpectomies
o Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies
o TURPs and/or TURBTs
(This limit does not apply for Procedure Targeted sites that are targeting TURPs.)
Cases beyond the required number per your site’s contract for each cycle.
A return to the operating room that is related to an occurrence or complication of a prior
procedure
Multiple NSQIP assessed cases within 30 days: Any patient who already has a NSQIP-
assessed procedure entered within the previous 30 days at your site should be excluded.
Only one NSQIP®-assessed procedure can be abstracted patient, per 30 days, for each
Hospital Exclusion Criteria
In addition to the case inclusion/exclusion criteria, hospital inclusion/exclusion criteria are also
imposed. To maintain the highest level of data quality, only cases included in the odds ratio
analysis are included in the PUF. These cases go through an additional level of scrutiny as they
are passed from data collection to statistical analysis. A site is excluded from the odds ratio
calculations and the PUF if it fits any of the following criteria:
30-day follow-up rate is under 80%
Inter-Rater Reliability Audit disagreement rate is over 5%
Measures Sites Excluded
Due to the small number of “Measures” sites enrolled in ACS NSQIP, cases from “Measures”
sites have been removed from the PUF dataset in order to protect against possible identification
of those sites and cases.
7. Data Limitations
While every effort has been made to make the PUF as complete as possible, the data do have
certain limitations. Some of these limitations have been deliberately introduced to safeguard the
privacy of patients (such as removal of absolute dates). Other limitations are due to resource
constraints (such as the collection of generic surgical variables only, except for the procedure
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
targeted option, which is reported separately). The following items represent the most salient
limitations of the data:
Because such a wide variety of operations are tracked, the variables are necessarily
generic in nature. This limitation may pose difficulties for researchers attempting in-
depth research on specific conditions or operations. However, surgical Targeted PUF
datasets are now available which address target-specific predictors and outcomes for
many types of operations.
While the sex and race distributions are reasonably representative of the national surgery
patient population, only patients over the age of 18 are available for assessment, so the
age distribution is somewhat truncated. Patients over the age of 90 are also grouped into a
90+ category to prevent cases from being identifiable due to unique data.
Patients are followed after surgery for 30 days. Complications or death after that period
are not included. Hospitals may follow patients longer than 30 days, but this data is not
reported by NSQIP.
In order to comply with HIPAA requirements, all absolute dates have been removed. The
most critical of these is the date of surgery, which has been reduced to year of surgery
only. Some dates (hospital entry, dates of laboratory tests, and so on) have been recoded
into durations e.g. Date of Admission and Date of Discharge is recoded into Hospital
Length of Stay.
In order to comply with the Hospital Participation Agreement (HPA) that is agreed to
between the ACS and participating sites, facility identifiers as well as geographic
information regarding the case have been removed. The HPA stipulates that the ACS
does not identify participating sites. Site identification could be possible even with
blinded identifiers through advanced statistics. A stipulation of access to the PUF is
completion of the Data Use Agreement that strictly prohibits attempts to identify
hospitals, health care providers, or patients.
While many risk factors are tracked, preventative measures are not recorded which can
lead to an underestimation of the risk of certain conditions when such measures are
routinely taken before surgery.
The data are submitted from hospitals that are participating in the ACS NSQIP and do not
represent a statistically valid nationally representative sample.
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
Most patients do not receive all possible preoperative laboratory tests, so some of these
variables have a high percentage of missing values (15% to 45%, depending on the tests).
This high percentage of missing data can make it problematic to use these variables in a
traditional logistic regression model as well as in many other types of analysis.
This list may not include all data limitations and additional limitations may apply in future
versions of the data.
Graft failure, Coma, and Peripheral Nerve Injury Data Update
As first identified and reported in December of 2014, we have identified a problem in reported
results for three outcome variables that existed in the Classic program, but did not exist in
Essentials, between 2011 and 2013.
As it is mandatory to report outcome variables, we have historically converted the absence of an
affirmative response (i.e., missing data) to “No Complication”. This otherwise appropriate
procedure was mistakenly applied to three outcome variables which were dropped from
Essentials beginning in 2011 (Graft failure, Coma, Peripheral Nerve Injury). This logic resulted
in “No complication” being assigned to missing data coming from Essential sites where, in fact,
no data was being collected for these three outcomes. For the 2013 SAR (when Classic no
longer existed) this isn’t much of a problem as users would clearly know that something was
wrong when 100% of the cases had “No complication” (for 2014 missing values were inserted
for these historical outcome variables rather than “No complication”). However for 2011 and
2012, when some sites were Essentials and some Classic, a PUF user would see a strange,
precipitous, drop in event rates for these outcomes.
Because of this problem, Graft failure, Coma, and Peripheral Nerve Injury should not be
considered accurate for any PUF after 2010.
8. Contact Information
All questions about the User Guide or PUF, as well as comments and suggestions for
improvements are welcome and may be directed to Brian Matel, ACS NSQIP Statistical Report
Manager, via email at bmatel@facs.org.
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9. Frequently Asked Questions
Request Process
Q: Who has access to this file?
A: Any individual with an official appointment at a fully participating site will be given
access to the file following completion of the Data Use Agreement and a short set of
questions that are available on the website.
Q: Is the file available to individuals from nonparticipating sites?
A: At this time the data files are only available to individuals with official appointments at
fully participating sites.
Q: I am at a NSQIP-participating site and would like to work on a research project with
others from a different site that is not participating. Will I be allowed to do that?
A: Yes, however, the NSQIP affiliated researcher must be the lead investigator on all PUF-
based research projects and is responsible for the PUF dataset, even if forwarded to
someone else. The non-participating collaborator must also sign the DUA.
Q: How do I obtain a copy of this file?
A: Please see the “Data Request Process” on page 1 of this document for a step-by-step
approach on how to do so.
Contents of the Files
Q: What is in this file?
A: The file contains Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) de-
identified data from sites participating in the ACS NSQIP that received risk-adjusted
reports in 2015. The variable name, variable label, data definition, and other pertinent
information are provided in Section 10: Data Variables and Definitions.
Q: Are site identifiers included in the database?
A: At this time we do not provide any geographic or site-specific identification. We took this
approach to ensure the privacy of both the participating sites and surgeons.
Q: Are there surgeon-specific identifiers included in the database?
A: At this time we do not provide any surgeon-specific information. We took this approach
to ensure the privacy of both the participating sites and surgeons.
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
Q: Are other PUF data sets available?
A: 19 other PUF files are available for request / download:
PUF Ye ar PUF Type Cases Site s
2005/2006 Essentials 152,490 121
2007 Essentials 211,407 183
2008 Essentials 271,368 211
2009 Essentials 336,190 237
2010 Essentials 363,431 258
2011 Essentials 442,149 315
2012 Essentials 543,885 374
2013 Essentials 651,940 435
2014 Essentials 750,397 517
2011/2012 Colectomy 16,981 121
2013 Colectomy 21,505 154
2014 Colectomy 25,262 203
2011/2012 Vascular 655 71
2013 Vascular 4,292 83
2014 Vascular 4,029 83
2014 Gynecology 500 19
2014 Hepatectomy 3,064 92
2014 Hysterectomy 19,283 91
2014 Pancreatectomy 5,187 106
Q: Why does the PUF exclude specific dates?
A: In order to release the PUF, certain adjustments to the data are required to ensure proper
protection of patient information. To meet these requirements, we remove all elements of
dates (except quarter of admission and year) for dates directly related to an individual.
For more information on the 18 data elements that are required for removal, please visit
http://privacyruleandresearch.nih.gov/
or
http://privacyruleandresearch.nih.gov/pdf/HIPAA_Booklet_4-14-2003.pdf.
Q: I am the Surgeon Champion or Surgical Clinical Reviewer from a site that has records in
the PUF and would like to know which specific records are ours.
A: At this time we do not provide site identification of any cases in the PUF, even self-
identification.
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Values in the Data
Q: For each of the following complications, Pneumonia, On Ventilator > 48 hours, Urinary
Tract Infection, and Bleeding Transfusion, one case did not have a known duration from
operation to complication. Why is that?
A: In each of these complications the case had an invalid date which inhibited the
calculation of duration. The number of days from operation to complication variable is
coded as -99 for these cases.
Q: What are the probability scores for mortality and morbidity and how often are they
calculated?
A: The probabilities of mortality and morbidity are provided in this database for all surgery
cases in 2015. These probabilities are derived using hierarchical regression analysis, but
based only on patient-level effects. They represent the probability (0 to 1) that a case will
experience a morbidity or mortality event based on pre-existing conditions. These
probabilities are calculated every six months for the previous 12 months of data so the
algorithm used to generate the predicted values changes over time as does the data used
to create the algorithm.
Q: Which calculated probabilities of mortality and morbidity are supplied in this data
set?
A: The probabilities of mortality and morbidity for all surgical cases used in the risk-
adjusted analysis in 2015 are provided.
Q: Why do some of the preoperative lab values have duration from lab to operation, but
a value of -99 for the lab value?
A: The results of the lab tests can be entered manually and thus are susceptible to data
entry error. Depending on the preoperative lab variable roughly 1% of the cases had
invalid values and these invalid values were set to -99 to simplify analysis. It is also
possible that some cases have valid lab values, but are missing duration from lab to
operation variable. This discrepancy is also related to a data entry error and the program
continues to improve the data collection software to minimize the potential for data entry
errors.
Q: When performing analysis on the five digit CPT codes in the Other and Concurrent
variables, how should I interpret those cases with a valid 5 digit CPT code but a CPT
description set to NULL?
A: If the case has a valid five digit CPT code that procedure occurred and should be
evaluated as such. The CPT description is a secondary variable and provided for
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convenience. In the processing of large amounts of data some descriptions are
purposefully or inadvertently removed.
File Formats
Q: In what file formats are the data available?
A: The data files are made available in a tab delimited TXT file, an SPSS file, and a SAS
file.
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Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
1 PUFYEAR Char Year of PUF *Year of PUF
2 CaseID Num Case Identification Number Variable Name:Identification Number (IDN)
3 SEX Char Gender Variable Name:Gender Male; Female NULL = No Response
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Unknown/Not Reported
White
5 ETHNICITY_HISPANIC Char Ethnicity Hispanic Variable Name:Hispanic Ethnicity Yes; No; Unknown NULL = No Response
6 PRNCPTX Char Principal operative procedure CPT code description Variable Name:Principal operative procedure CPT code description
7 CPT Char CPT Variable Name:CPT® (Current Procedural Terminology) Code
8 WORKRVU Num Work Relative Value Unit *Work Relative Value Unit -99 = No Response
9 INOUT Char Inpatient/outpatient Variable Name:In/Out-Patient Status Outpatient; Inpatient NULL = No Response
From acute care hospital inpatient
Not transferred (admitted from home)
Nursing home - Chronic care - Intermediate care
Outside emergency department
Transfer from other
Unknown
11 Age Char Age of patient with patients over 89 coded as 90+ Variable Name:Date of Birth -99 = No Response
12 AdmYR Num Year of Admission Variable Name:Hospital Admission Date -99 = No Response
13 OperYR Num Year of Operation Variable Name:Operation Date -99 = No Response
Skilled Care, Not Home
Unskilled Facility Not Home
Facility Which was Home
Home
Separate Acute Care
Rehab
Expired
Unknown
Epidural
General
Local
Monitored Anesthesia care (MAC) / IV Sedation
None
Other
Regional
Spinal
Unknown
Cardiac Surgery
General Surgery
Gynecology
Neurosurgery
Orthopedics
Otolaryngology (ENT)
Plastics
Thoracic
Urology
Vascular
Interventional Radiologist
17 ELECTSURG Char Elective Surgery Variable Name:Elective Surgery, Patient Coming From Home Yes; No; Unknown NULL = No Response
18 HEIGHT Num Height in inches Variable Name:Height -99=No Response
Units converted to inches
19 WEIGHT Num Weight in lbs Variable Name:weight -99=No Response
Units converted to lbs
20 DIABETES Char Diabetes mellitus with oral agents or insulin Variable Name:Diabetes Mellitus Requiring Therapy with Non-Insulin Agents or Insulin INSULIN; NO; NON-INSULIN NULL = No Response
21 SMOKE Char Current smoker within one year Variable Name:Current Smoker within One Year Yes; No NULL = No Response
22 DYSPNEA Char Dyspnea Variable Name:Dyspnea AT REST; MODERATE EXERTION; No NULL = No Response
23 FNSTATUS2 Char Functional health status Prior to Surgery Variable Name:Functional Health Status Independent; Partially Dependent; Totally Dependent; Unknown NULL = No Response
24 VENTILAT Char Ventilator dependent Variable Name:Ventilator Dependent Yes; No NULL = No Response
25 HXCOPD Char History of severe COPD Variable Name:COPD (Severe) Yes; No NULL = No Response
26 ASCITES Char Ascites Variable Name:Ascites within 30 Days Prior to Surgery Yes; No NULL=No Response
27 HXCHF Char Congestive heart failure (CHF) in 30 days before surgery Variable Name:Congestive Heart Failure within 30 Days Prior to Surgery Yes; No NULL = No Response
4 RACE_NEW Char New Race Variable Name:Race
10 TRANST Transfer statusChar
SURGSPEC
Variable Name:Hospital Discharge DestinationDISCHDEST Char
16
Advisement: When a change in definitions across PUF years is noted, users should attend to this if they merge files. It is suggested that they evaluate variable categories across years and combine them in a manner appropriate to their research objectives.
Variable Name:Origin Status
Variable Name:Principal Anesthesia Technique
Variable Name:Surgical Specialty
Discharge Destination NULL = No Response
15 ANESTHES Principal anesthesia techniqueChar NULL = No Response
14
NULL = No Response
Char Surgical Specialty
NULL = No Response
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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ACS NSQIP 2015 PUF USER GUIDE | OCTOBER 2016
Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
28 HYPERMED Char Hypertension requiring medication Variable Name:Hypertension Requiring Medication Yes; No NULL = No Response
29 RENAFAIL Char Acute renal failure (pre-op) Variable Name:Acute Renal Failure Yes; No NULL = No Response
30 DIALYSIS Char Currently on dialysis (pre-op) Variable Name:Currently Requiring or On Dialysis Yes; No NULL = No Response
31 DISCANCR Char Disseminated cancer Variable Name:Disseminated cancer Yes; No NULL = No Response
32 WNDINF Char Open wound/wound infection Variable Name:Open Wound (with or without Infection) Yes; No NULL = No Response
33 STEROID Char Steroid use for chronic condition Variable Name:Steroid/Immunosuppressant Use for a Chronic Condition Yes; No NULL = No Response
34 WTLOSS Char >10% loss body weight in last 6 months Variable Name: > 10% Loss of Body Weight in the 6 Months Prior to Surgery Yes; No NULL = No Response
35 BLEEDDIS Char Bleeding disorders Variable Name:Bleeding disorders Yes; No NULL = No Response
36 TRANSFUS Char Preop Transfusion of >= 1 unit of whole/packed RBCs in 72 hours prior to
surgery
Variable Name:Preop Transfusions (RBC within 72 Hours Prior to Surgery Start Time) Yes; No NULL = No Response
37 PRSEPIS Char Systemic Sepsis Variable Name:Sepsis within 48 Hours Prior to Surgery SIRS; Sepsis; Septic Shock; None NULL=No Response
38 DPRNA Num Days from Na Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from Na Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
39 DPRBUN Num Days from BUN Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from BUN Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
40 DPRCREAT Num Days from Creatinine Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from Creatinine Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
41 DPRALBUM Num Days from Albumin Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from Albumin Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
42 DPRBILI Num Days from Bilirubin Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from Bilirubin Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
43 DPRSGOT Num Days from SGOT Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from SGOT Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
44 DPRALKPH Num Days from ALKPHOS Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from ALKPHOS Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
45 DPRWBC Num Days from WBC Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from WBC Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
46 DPRHCT Num Days from HCT Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from HCT Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
47 DPRPLATE Num Days from PlateCount Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from PlateCount Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
48 DPRPTT Num Days from PTT Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from PTT Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
49 DPRPT Num Days from PT Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from PT Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
50 DPRINR Num Days from INR Preoperative Labs to Operation *Days from INR Preoperative Labs to Operation -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
51 PRSODM Num Pre-operative serum sodium Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
52 PRBUN Num Pre-operative BUN Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
53 PRCREAT Num Pre-operative serum creatinine Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
54 PRALBUM Num Pre-operative serum albumin Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
55 PRBILI Num Pre-operative total bilirubin Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
56 PRSGOT Num Pre-operative SGOT Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
57 PRALKPH Num Pre-operative alkaline phosphatase Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
58 PRWBC Num Pre-operative WBC Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
59 PRHCT Num Pre-operative hematocrit Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
60 PRPLATE Num Pre-operative platelet count Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
61 PRPTT Num Pre-operative PTT Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
62 PRINR Num Pre-operative International Normalized Ratio (INR) of PT values Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
63 PRPT Num Pre-operative PT Variable Name:Preoperative Lab Value Information -99 = Lab value not obtained or No
Response
64 OTHERPROC1 Char Other Procedure 1 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
65 OTHERCPT1 Char Other CPT Code 1 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
66 OTHERWRVU1 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 1 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 1 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
67 OTHERPROC2 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 2 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
68 OTHERCPT2 Char Other CPT Code 2 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
69 OTHERWRVU2 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 2 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 2 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
70 OTHERPROC3 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 3 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
71 OTHERCPT3 Char Other CPT Code 3 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
72 OTHERWRVU3 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 3 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 3 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
73 OTHERPROC4 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 4 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
74 OTHERCPT4 Char Other CPT Code 4 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
75 OTHERWRVU4 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 4 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 4 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
76 OTHERPROC5 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 5 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
77 OTHERCPT5 Char Other CPT Code 5 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
78 OTHERWRVU5 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 5 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 5 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
79 OTHERPROC6 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 6 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
80 OTHERCPT6 Char Other CPT Code 6 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
81 OTHERWRVU6 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 6 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 6 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
82 OTHERPROC7 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 7 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
83 OTHERCPT7 Char Other Variable Name:Other Procedure 7 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
84 OTHERWRVU7 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 7 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 7 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
85 OTHERPROC8 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 8 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
86 OTHERCPT8 Char Other Variable Name:Other Procedure 8 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
87 OTHERWRVU8 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 8 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 8 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
88 OTHERPROC9 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 9 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
89 OTHERCPT9 Char Other Variable Name:Other Procedure 9 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
90 OTHERWRVU9 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 9 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 9 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
91 OTHERPROC10 Char Variable Name:Other Procedure 10 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
92 OTHERCPT10 Char Other Variable Name:Other Procedure 10 Variable Name:Other Procedure NULL = No Procedure
93 OTHERWRVU10 Num Other Work Relative Value Unit 10 *Other Work Relative Value Unit 10 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
94 CONCURR1 Char Concurrent Procedure 1 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
95 CONCPT1 Char Concurrent CPT 1 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
96 CONWRVU1 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 1 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 1 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
97 CONCURR2 Char Concurrent Procedure 2 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
98 CONCPT2 Char Concurrent CPT 2 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
99 CONWRVU2 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 2 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 2 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
100 CONCURR3 Char Concurrent Procedure 3 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
101 CONCPT3 Char Concurrent CPT 3 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
102 CONWRVU3 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 3 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 3 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
103 CONCURR4 Char Concurrent Procedure 4 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
104 CONCPT4 Char Concurrent CPT 4 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
105 CONWRVU4 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 4 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 4 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
106 CONCURR5 Char Concurrent Procedure 5 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
107 CONCPT5 Char Concurrent CPT 5 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
108 CONWRVU5 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 5 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 5 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
109 CONCURR6 Char Concurrent Procedure 6 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
110 CONCPT6 Char Concurrent CPT 6 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
111 CONWRVU6 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 6 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 6 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
112 CONCURR7 Char Concurrent Procedure 7 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
113 CONCPT7 Char Concurrent CPT 7 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
114 CONWRVU7 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 7 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 7 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
115 CONCURR8 Char Concurrent Procedure 8 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
116 CONCPT8 Char Concurrent CPT 8 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
117 CONWRVU8 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 8 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 8 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
118 CONCURR9 Char Concurrent Procedure 9 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
119 CONCPT9 Char Concurrent CPT 9 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
120 CONWRVU9 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 9 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 9 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
121 CONCURR10 Char Concurrent Procedure 10 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
122 CONCPT10 Char Concurrent CPT 10 Variable Name:Concurrent Procedure NULL = No Procedure
123 CONWRVU10 Num Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 10 *Concurrent Work Relative Value Unit 10 -99 = No Procedure/No Response
124 EMERGNCY Char Emergency case Variable Name:Emergency Case Yes; No NULL = No Response
1-Clean
2-Clean/Contaminated
3-Contaminated
4-Dirty/Infected
1 -No Disturb
2 -Mild Disturb
3 -Severe Disturb
4 -Life Threat
5 -Moribund
None assigned
127 MORTPROB Num Estimated Probability of Mortality *Probability of mortality is developed for all cases based on a logistic regression analysis
using the patient's preopeartive characteristics as the independent or predictive variables.
Only cases included in the logistic regression analysis will have the associated probabilities
of mortality.
System missing = case was not
included in the logistic regression
analysis
128 MORBPROB Num Estimated Probability of Morbidity *Probability of morbidity is developed for all cases based on a logistic regression analysis
using the patient's preopeartive characteristics as the independent or predictive variables.
Only cases included in the logistic regression analysis will have the associated probabilities
of morbidity.
System missing = case was not
included in the logistic regression
analysis
129 OPTIME Num Total operation time *Total operation time in minutes -99 = No Response
130 HDISDT Num Hospital discharge Year Variable Name:Acute Hospital Discharge Date -99 = No Response
131 YRDEATH Num Year of death Variable Name:Date of Death -99 = Patient alive at 30 days
Notes: include death >30days of
procedure
132 TOTHLOS Num Length of total hospital stay *Length of total hospital stay
133 AdmQtr Num Quarter of Admission Variable Name:Hospital Admission Date 1; 2; 3; 4 -99 = No Response
134 HtoODay Num Days from Hospital Admission to Operation *Days from Hospital Admission to Operation -99 = No Response
135 NSUPINFEC Num Number of Superficial Incisional SSI Occurrences *Number of Superficial Incisional SSI Occurrences
136 SUPINFEC Char Occurrences Superficial surgical site infection Variable Name:Superficial Incisional SSI No Complication; Superficial Incisional SSI
137 SSSIPATOS Char Superficial Incisional SSI PATOS Variable Name:Superficial Incisional SSI – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No response
138 DSUPINFEC Num Days from Operation until Superficial Incisional SSI Complication *Days from Operation until Superficial Incisional SSI Complication
139 NWNDINFD Num Number of Deep Incisional SSI Occurrences *Number of Deep Incisional SSI Occurrences
140 WNDINFD Char Occurrences Deep Incisional SSI Variable Name:Deep Incisional SSI Deep Incisional SSI; No Complication
141 DSSIPATOS Char Deep Incisional SSI PATOS Variable Name:Deep Incisional SSI – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No response
142 DWNDINFD Num Days from Operation until Deep Incisional SSI Complication *Days from Operation until Deep Incisional SSI Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
143 NORGSPCSSI Num Number of Organ/Space SSI Occurrences *Number of Organ/Space SSI Occurrences
144 ORGSPCSSI Char Occurrences Organ Space SSI Variable Name:Organ/Space SSI Organ/Space SSI; No Complication
145 OSSIPATOS Char Organ/Space SSI PATOS Variable Name:Organ/Space SSI – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No response
146 DORGSPCSSI Num Days from Operation until Organ/Space SSI Complication *Days from Operation until Organ/Space SSI Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
147 NDEHIS Num Number of Wound Disruption Occurrences *Number of Wound Disruption Occurrences
148 DEHIS Char Occurrences Wound Disrupt Variable Name:Wound Disruption Wound Disruption; No Complication
149 DDEHIS Num Days from Operation until Wound Disruption Complication *Days from Operation until Wound Disruption Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
150 NOUPNEUMO Num Number of Pneumonia Occurrences *Number of Pneumonia Occurrences
151 OUPNEUMO Char Occurrences Pneumonia Variable Name:Pneumonia Pneumonia; No Complication
152 PNAPATOS Char Pneumonia PATOS Variable Name:Pneumonia – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No response
153 DOUPNEUMO Num Days from Operation until Pneumonia Complication *Days from Operation until Pneumonia Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
154 NREINTUB Num Number of Unplanned Intubation Occurrences *Number of Unplanned Intubation Occurrences
125 WNDCLAS Char Wound classification
NULL= No ResponseVariable Name:ASA Classification
NULL = No Response Variable Name: Wound Classification
126 ASACLAS Char ASA classification
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
155 REINTUB Char Occurrences Unplanned Intubation Variable Name:Unplanned Intubation Unplanned Intubation; No Complication
156 DREINTUB Num Days from Operation until Unplanned Intubation Complication *Days from Operation until Unplanned Intubation Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
157 NPULEMBOL Num Number of Pulmonary Embolism Occurrences *Number of Pulmonary Embolism Occurrences
158 PULEMBOL Char Occurrences Pulmonary Embolism Variable Name:Pulmonary Embolism Pulmonary Embolism; No Complication
159 DPULEMBOL Num Days from Operation until Pulmonary Embolism Complication *Days from Operation until Pulmonary Embolism Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
160 NFAILWEAN Num Number of On Ventilator > 48 Hours Occurrences *Number of On Ventilator > 48 Hours Occurrences
161 FAILWEAN Char Occurrences Ventilator > 48Hours Variable Name:On Ventilator > 48 Hours On Ventilator greater than 48 Hours; No Complication
162 VENTPATOS Char On Ventilator > 48 Hours PATOS Variable Name:On Ventilator > 48 Hours – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No response
163 DFAILWEAN Num Days from Operation until On Ventilator > 48 Hours Complication *Days from Operation until On Ventilator > 48 Hours Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
164 NRENAINSF Num Number of Progressive Renal Insufficiency Occurrences *Number of Progressive Renal Insufficiency Occurrences
165 RENAINSF Char Occurrences Progressive Renal Insufficiency Variable Name:Progressive Renal Insufficiency/Acute Renal Failure Requiring Dialysis Progressive Renal Insufficiency; No Complication
166 DRENAINSF Num Days from Operation until Progressive Renal Insufficiency Complication *Days from Operation until Progressive Renal Insufficiency Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
167 NOPRENAFL Num Number of Acute Renal Failure Occurrences *Number of Acute Renal Failure Occurrences
168 OPRENAFL Char Occurrences Acute Renal Fail Variable Name:Progressive Renal Insufficiency/Acute Renal Failure Requiring Dialysis Acute Renal Failure; No Complication
169 DOPRENAFL Num Days from Operation until Acute Renal Failure Complication *Days from Operation until Acute Renal Failure Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
170 NURNINFEC Num Number of Urinary Tract infection Occurrences *Number of Urinary Tract infection Occurrences
171 URNINFEC Char Occurrences Urinary Tract Infection Variable Name:Urinary Tract Infection Urinary Tract Infection; No Complication
172 UTIPATOS Char UTI PATOS Variable Name:UTI – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No response
173 DURNINFEC Num Days from Operation until Urinary Tract Infection Complication *Days from Operation until Urinary Tract Infection Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
174 NCNSCVA Num Number of Stroke/CVA Occurrences *Number of Stroke/CVA Occurrences
175 CNSCVA Char CVA/Stroke with neurological deficit Variable Name:Stroke/Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) Stroke/CVA; No Complication
176 DCNSCVA Num Days from Operation until Stroke/CVA Complication *Days from Operation until Stroke/CVA Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
177 NCDARREST Num Number of Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR Occurrences *Number of Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR Occurrences
178 CDARREST Char Occurrences Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR Variable Name:Intraoperative or Postoperative Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR; No Complication
179 DCDARREST Num Days from Operation until Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR Complication *Days from Operation until Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
180 NCDMI Num Number of Myocardial Infarction Occurrences *Number of Myocardial Infarction Occurrences
181 CDMI Char Occurrences Myocardial Infarction Variable Name:Intraoperative or Postoperative Myocardial Infarction Myocardial Infarction; No Complication
182 DCDMI Num Days from Operation until Myocardial Infarction Complication *Days from Operation until Myocardial Infarction Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
183 NOTHBLEED Num Number of Bleeding Transfusions Occurrences *Number of Bleeding Transfusions Occurrences
184 OTHBLEED Char Occurrences Bleeding Transfusions Variable Name:Transfusion Intra/Postop (RBC within the First 72 Hrs of Surgery Start Time) Transfusions/Intraop/Postop; No Complication
185 DOTHBLEED Num Days from Operation until Bleeding Transfusions Complication *Days from Operation until Bleeding Transfusions Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
186 NOTHDVT Num Number of DVT/Thrombophlebitis Occurrences *Number of DVT/Thrombophlebitis Occurrences
187 OTHDVT Char Occurrences DVT/Thrombophlebitis Variable Name:Vein Thrombosis Requiring Therapy DVT Requiring Therapy; No Complication
188 DOTHDVT Num Days from Operation until DVT/Thrombophlebitis Complication *Days from Operation until DVT/Thrombophlebitis Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
189 NOTHSYSEP Num Number of Sepsis Occurrences *Number of Sepsis Occurrences
190 OTHSYSEP Char Occurrences Sepsis Variable Name:Sepsis Sepsis; No Complication
191 SEPSISPATOS Char Sepsis PATOS Variable Name:Sepsis – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No Response
192 DOTHSYSEP Num Days from Operation until Sepsis Complication *Days from Operation until Sepsis Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
193 NOTHSESHOCK Num Number of Septic Shock Occurrences *Number of Septic Shock Occurrences
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
194 OTHSESHOCK Char Occurrences Septic Shock Variable Name:Septic Shock Septic Shock; No Complication
195 SEPSHOCKPATOS Char Septic Shock PATOS Variable Name:Septic Shock – PATOS Yes; No NULL = No Response
196 DOTHSESHOCK Num Days from Operation until Septic Shock Complication *Days from Operation until Septic Shock Complication -99 = Patient did not experience this
complication at or before 30 days
post operation
197 PODIAG Char Post-op diagnosis (ICD 9) Variable Name:Postoperative Diagnosis (ICD Code)
198 PODIAGTX Char Post-op Diagnosis Text Variable Name:Postoperative Diagnosis (ICD Code)
199 PODIAG10 Char Post-op diagnosis (ICD 10) Variable Name:Postoperative Diagnosis (ICD Code)
200 PODIAGTX10 Char Post-op Diagnosis Text Variable Name:Postoperative Diagnosis (ICD Code)
201 RETURNOR Char Return to OR Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation Yes; No NULL= No Response
202 DOpertoD Num Days from Operation to Death *Days from Operation to Death -99 = Patient did not die at or before
30 days post operation Notes:
deaths within 30 days of procedure
included only
203 DOptoDis Num Days from Operation to Discharge *Days from Operation to Discharge -99 = No Response
204 STILLINHOSP Char Still in Hospital > 30 Days Variable Name:Still in Hospital > 30 Days Yes; No NULL = No Response
205 REOPERATION1 Char Unplanned Reoperation 1 Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation Yes; No NULL=No Response
206 RETORPODAYS Num Days from principal operative procedure to Unplanned Reoperation 1 *Days from principal operative procedure to Unplanned Reoperation 1 -99 = Patient did not experience
Unplanned Reoperation 1
207 REOPORCPT1 Char Unplanned Reoperation 1 CPT Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation NULL = No Response
Yes
No
209 REOPORICD91 Char Unplanned Reoperation 1 ICD-9 Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation NULL = No Response
210 REOPOR1ICD101 Char Unplanned Reoperation 1 ICD-10 Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation
211 REOPERATION2 Char Unplanned Reoperation 2 Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation Yes; No NULL=No Response
212 RETOR2PODAYS Num Days from principal operative procedure to Unplanned Reoperation 2 *Days from principal operative procedure to Unplanned Reoperation 2 -99 = Patient did not experience
Unplanned Reoperation 2
213 REOPOR2CPT1 Char Unplanned Reoperation 2 CPT Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation NULL = No Response
Yes
No
215 REOPOR2ICD91 Char Unplanned Reoperation 2 ICD-9 Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation NULL = No Response
216 REOPOR2ICD101 Char Unplanned Reoperation 2 ICD-10 Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation NULL = No Response
217 REOPERATION3 Char More than 2 unplanned reoperations Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation Yes; No NULL=No Response
218 READMISSION1 Char Any Readmission 1 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL=No Response
219 READMPODAYS1 Num Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 1 *Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 1 -99 = Patient did not experience Any
Readmission 1
220 UNPLANNEDREADMISSION1 Char Unplanned Readmission 1 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL = No Response
221 READMRELATED1 Char Unplanned Readmission 1 likely related to the principal procedure Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL = No Response
Superficial Incisional SSI
Deep Incisional SSI
Organ/Space SSI
Wound Disruption
Pneumonia
Unplanned Intubation
Pulmonary Embolism
On Ventilator > 48 hours
Progressive Renal Insufficiency
Acute Renal Failure
Urinary Tract Infection
CVA
Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR
Myocardial Infarction
Bleeding Requiring Transfusion (72h of surgery start time)
Vein Thrombosis Requiring Therapy
Sepsis
Septic Shock
Other (list ICD 9 code)
Other (list ICD 10 code)
C. diff
222 READMSUSPREASON1 Char
Variable Name:Unplanned ReoperationUnplanned Reoperation 1 related to principal operative procedureCharRETORRELATED
Unplanned Reoperation 2 related to principal operative procedure Variable Name:Unplanned Reoperation
NULL = No Response
Unknown
NULL = No Response
Unknown
NULL = No Response
208
214 RETOR2RELATED Char
Readmission related suspected reason 1 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
Superficial Incisional SSI
Deep Incisional SSI
Organ/Space SSI
Wound Disruption
Pneumonia
Unplanned Intubation
Pulmonary Embolism
On Ventilator > 48 hours
Progressive Renal Insufficiency
Acute Renal Failure
Urinary Tract Infection
CVA
Cardiac Arrest Requiring CPR
Myocardial Infarction
Bleeding Requiring Transfusion (72h of surgery start time)
Vein Thrombosis Requiring Therapy
Sepsis
Septic Shock
Other (list ICD 9 code)
Other (list ICD 10 code)
C. diff
224 READMRELICD91 Char Readmission related ICD-9 code 1 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
225 READMRELICD101 Char Readmission related ICD-10 code 1 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
226 READMUNRELICD91 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-9 code 1 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
227 READMUNRELICD101 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-10 code 1 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
228 READMISSION2 Char Any Readmission 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No
229 READMPODAYS2 Num Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 2 *Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 2 -99 = Patient did not experience Any
Readmission 2
230 UNPLANNEDREADMISSION2 Char Unplanned Readmission 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes;No NULL = No Response
231 READMRELATED2 Char Unplanned Readmission 2 likely related to the principal procedure Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes;No NULL = No Response
232 READMSUSPREASON2 Char Readmission related suspected reason 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission related suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
233 READMUNRELSUSP2 Char Readmission unrelated suspected reason 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission unrelated suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
234 READMRELICD92 Char Readmission related ICD-9 code 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
235 READMRELICD102 Char Readmission related ICD-10 code 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
236 READMUNRELICD92 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-9 code 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
237 READMUNRELICD102 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-10 code 2 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
238 READMISSION3 Char Any Readmission 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No
239 READMPODAYS3 Num Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 3 *Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 3 -99 = Patient did not experience Any
Readmission 3
240 UNPLANNEDREADMISSION3 Char Unplanned Readmission 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes;No NULL = No Response
241 READMRELATED3 Char Unplanned Readmission 3 likely related to the principal procedure Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL = No Response
242 READMSUSPREASON3 Char Readmission related suspected reason 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission related suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
243 READMUNRELSUSP3 Char Readmission unrelated suspected reason 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission unrelated suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
244 READMRELICD93 Char Readmission related ICD-9 code 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
245 READMRELICD103 Char Readmission related ICD-10 code 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
246 READMUNRELICD93 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-9 code 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
247 READMUNRELICD103 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-10 code 3 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
248 READMISSION4 Char Any Readmission 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No
249 READMPODAYS4 Num Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 4 *Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 4 -99 = Patient did not experience Any
Readmission 4
250 UNPLANNEDREADMISSION4 Char Unplanned Readmission 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL = No Response
251 READMRELATED4 Char Unplanned Readmission 4 likely related to the principal procedure Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL = No Response
252 READMSUSPREASON4 Char Readmission related suspected reason 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission related suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
253 READMUNRELSUSP4 Char Readmission unrelated suspected reason 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission unrelated suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
254 READMRELICD94 Char Readmission related ICD-9 code 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
255 READMRELICD104 Char Readmission related ICD-10 code 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
256 READMUNRELICD94 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-9 code 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
257 READMUNRELICD104 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-10 code 4 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
258 READMISSION5 Char Any Readmission 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No
259 READMPODAYS5 Num Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 5 *Days from principal operative procedure to Any Readmission 5 -99 = Patient did not experience Any
Readmission 5
260 UNPLANNEDREADMISSION5 Char Unplanned Readmission 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL = No Response
261 READMRELATED5 Char Unplanned Readmission 5 likely related to the principal procedure Variable Name:Hospital Readmission Yes; No NULL = No Response
Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response READMUNRELSUSP1223 Char Readmission unrelated suspected reason 1
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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Position # Variable Name Data
Type
Variable Label Search Term in Chapter 4
Notes: 'Variable Name:' needs to be included in Search Term;
*Variables not included in Chap 4
Variable Options at Entry Comments
262 READMSUSPREASON5 Char Readmission related suspected reason 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission related suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
263 READMUNRELSUSP5 Char Readmission unrelated suspected reason 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission See "Readmission unrelated suspected reason 1" NULL = No Response
264 READMRELICD95 Char Readmission related ICD-9 code 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
265 READMRELICD105 Char Readmission related ICD-10 code 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
266 READMUNRELICD95 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-9 code 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
267 READMUNRELICD105 Char Readmission unrelated ICD-10 code 5 Variable Name:Hospital Readmission NULL = No Response
All layers of incision (deep and superficial) fully closed
Only deep layers closed; superficial left open
No layers of incision are surgically closed
269 PODIAG_OTHER Char Other postoperative occurrence(ICD 9) Variable Name:Other Postoperative Occurrence (ICD Code) NULL=No Response
270 PODIAG_OTHER10 Char Other postoperative occurrence(ICD 10) Variable Name:Other Postoperative Occurrence (ICD Code) NULL=No Response
General
Epidural
Spinal
Regional
Local
Monitored Anesthesia Care/IV Sedation
Other
272 OTHCDIFF Char Occurrences Clostridium Difficile (C.diff) Colitis Variable Name:Postoperative Clostridium Difficile (C.diff) Colitis No Complication; C. diff
273 NOTHCDIFF Num Number of C. diff Occurrences *Number of C. diff Colitis Occurrences
274 DOTHCDIFF Num Days from operation until C.diff Complication *Days from operation till C. diff Colitis Complication -99=Patient did not experience
complication at or before 30 days
post operations
Variable Name:Surgical Wound(s) Closure
Variable Name:Additional Anesthesia Technique(s) NULL = No Response
NULL=No Response
271 ANESTHES_OTHER Char Additional anesthesia technique
268 WOUND_CLOSURE Char Surgical wound closure
Section 10 - Data Variables and Definitions
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