Patient Discharge Data

patient leaving hospital

Learn how OHS manages patient discharge data

The Office of Health Strategy (OHS) supports legislation, policies, and research that improve health and healthcare delivery in Connecticut. We compile healthcare information from providers across the state to support that mission.

Patient discharge data is among the information OHS collects. OHS collects four main types of discharge data:

  • Inpatient discharges from acute care hospitals
  • Outpatient surgery discharges from hospitals
  • Outpatient surgery discharges from ambulatory surgery centers (ASC)
  • Emergency room discharges

Discover more about patient discharge data, what it can be used for, how to request access to it, and how to submit it here.

Learn about patient discharge data (PDF) >

About patient discharge data

doctor reviewing chart with patient

What specific information does OHS collect?

Hospitals, emergency rooms, and ambulatory surgery centers submit a range of patient information so OHS can monitor the effectiveness of the state’s healthcare system.

Types of data OHS collects include:

  • Demographic data like age, race, ethnicity, and gender
  • Medical diagnoses
  • Services provided and related charges
  • Payer information
  • Healthcare provider
  • Length of inpatient stay
  • Medical procedures

Patient discharge data is always kept secure and confidential. OHS currently maintains a warehouse of discharge data with records from 1991 through the present.

Data resources

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Request access to data

Submit a data request to OHS. Only certain data is available to the public. A reasonable fee may be required to access data

Review the patient discharge data filing requirements

Every year, providers must submit six months of patient-identifiable inpatient discharge, emergency department, and outpatient surgery encounter data to OHS by January 2 and July 1. OHS provides a secure site to submit data.

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Outpatient surgery data

Learn what outpatient surgery data must be reported, how to register, how to submit data to OHS, and more.

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Explore the OHS Data Compendium

Find out more about all the types of data OHS collects, including patient discharge data.

Publications and reports

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How is patient discharge data used?

OHS compiles reports for the public using patient discharge data. These publications can have many purposes, such as:

  • Serve as a reference tool to track healthcare trends
  • Help consumers make informed healthcare decisions
  • Help people understand CT’s larger healthcare landscape
  • Help plan improvements to healthcare access, quality, and affordability

Certain data can be used by consumers, qualified researchers, policymakers, and state agencies when approved by OHS.

Legislation about patient discharge data

The Office of Health Strategy is authorized to collect inpatient discharge data by C.G.S. § 19a-654 for the reasons listed under C.G.S. § 19a-613 and § 19a-634. Data submission, collection, use, and release policies and procedures are included in CT Administrative Regulations 19a-167g-94.