10. Using the VA Decision Support System (DSS) National Extracts for Health Services Research
W Yu, HSR&D VA Health Economics Resource Center; HA Warren, VA VISN Support Service Center; PA Murphy, HSR&D VA Information Resource Center; P Lin, HSR&D VA Health Economics Resource Center; PG Barnett, HSR&D VA Health Economics Resource Center
Workshop Objectives: This workshop will provide an in-depth presentation on how to use the Decision Support System (DSS) National Extracts for health services research. The workshop will (1) review the currently available DSS National Extracts and provide instructions on how to access this database; (2) show how to merge the DSS National Extracts with VA utilization files and how to identify problems associated with the merge; (3) present examples using the DSS National Extracts in VA health services research; and (4) introduce future changes in the DSS National Extracts.
Workshop Activities: This workshop will be organized in five sections. In the first section, we will review DSS national extracts files available to researchers and explain details on how to access these files. The second section will show researchers how to merge the VA utilization files (Patient treatment discharge and bed section files, and outpatient file) with the DSS national extracts files and will discuss issues raised during HERC’s experience of merging the two databases (the utilization and the DSS). In the third section, two separate studies will be presented to illustrate how DSS national extracts can be used in VA health services research. In one study, researchers sought to determine the total cost of dialysis to the VA for patients who have been diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF). In the other study, researchers used DSS files to estimate costs of hospital stays for clinical trials of treatments for heart disease. Then, experts who developed the DSS national extracts will review current issues and future development in DSS national extracts, including the new DSS national extracts in laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, etc. The workshop presenters will lead an open discussion on how to improve access and utilization of the DSS national extracts for VA health services researchers.
Target Audience: VA Health services researchers and managers.
Audience Familiarity: Familiarity with SAS and accessing VA Austin Automation Center may be helpful, but not necessary.