Injury coding and hospital discharge data
J. E. Sniezek, J. F. Finklea and P. L. Graitcer
Division of Injury Epidemiology and Control, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga 30333.
Data are currently inadequate to develop, implement, and evaluate injury
prevention and control programs in the United States. Information about
cause of injury, which is available for fatal injuries, is rarely available
for severe nonfatal injuries. Although hospital discharge data systems
contain much of the important information needed for injury prevention and
control programs, they rarely are coded with information about the external
cause of injury (E codes). E-coded hospital discharge data systems are
potentially one of the most effective and feasible means available to
collect data needed to prevent and control injuries. We recommend that E
codes be required elements in hospital discharge data systems, that
separate fields for E codes be created, and that E-code definitions and
guidelines be developed.
