The national ambulatory medical care survey.

TLDR: A series of health information systems collectively known as the National Health Survey provides a comprehensive set of basic statistics on inpatient care derived from a continuing survey of discharges from the nation's short-stay hospitals.

Abstract: THE NATIONAL CENTER for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is responsible for developing and producing on a continuing basis a body of balanced and relevant statistics for planning, legislation, administration, program evaluation, and research in the health field. In addition to collecting and disseminating reports and analyses of vital statistics, the health status of the population, and the characteristics of health resources, the Center recognizes the need for developing statistical systems that describe health care arrangements and the use of health manpower and facilities. To meet these needs, the Center has developed a series of health information systems collectively known as the National Health Survey. One of the components directly concerned with medical care is the Hospital Discharge Survey, which provides a comprehensive set of basic statistics on inpatient care derived from a continuing survey of discharges from the nation's short-stay hospitals. The Resident Places Survey provides, on a periodic basis, information on patients in long-stay hospitals, nursing homes, and custodial care institutions. Complementary information on admissions to short-stay hospitals and on visits to physicians' offices is obtained periodically from household respondents through the Center's Health Interview Survey. A series of ad hoc manpower surveys conducted by NCHS has provided limited