G. Decision Support System (DSS)

7. How do I use production DSS data?

DSS production data contain utilization and costs for all intermediate products such as lab tests and procedures provided during a hospital stay or an outpatient visit. These data may be necessary for studies that need to identify detailed healthcare utilization and associated costs. There is no current mechanism to obtain national access to DSS production data. Some researchers have obtained access to DSS production data from individual VA facilities or VISNs. At this time, access to DSS production data requires considerable time and effort by the investigator.

Before trying to access DSS production data, HERC advises researchers to carefully check all the DSS National Data Extract (NDE) to make sure that they don’t already contain the data needed for your project. DSS continues to expand the NDEs and they currently contain all of the data needed for most research projects. There are NDEs with one record for each laboratory test, medication dispensed, and radiology image. There are also NDEs that summarize costs and utilization for each intermediate product department.

For the latest information about this issue, please contact Ciaran Phibbs.