Time Well Spent: Patient Industry and Occupation Data Collection in Emergency Departments

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2017-08, Vol.59 (8), p.742-745
• Main Authors: Taylor, Jennifer A., Widman, Shannon A., James, Samantha J., Green-McKenzie, Judith, McGuire, Cydney, Harris, Erica J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Costs and Cost Analysis; Data collection; Data Collection - economics; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Emergency Service, Hospital; Fast Track; Fast Track Article; Health care; Humans; Illnesses; Industry; Injuries; Missing data; Occupational Health; Occupations; Patients; Pilot Projects; Time and Motion Studies
• ISSN: 1076-2752; 1536-5948
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001088

OBJECTIVE:No comprehensive national system tracking work-related diseases and injuries exists in the United States. Industry and occupation (I/O) are the missing data elements that would make existing healthcare data useful for occupational health. The authors previously petitioned the National Uniform Billing Committee (NUBC) to adopt I/O standards for states to consider during their healthcare data rulemaking processes. METHODS:The NUBC asked for a pilot study to ascertain the potential burden. The time and cost to ask I/O questions in two hospital emergency departments was evaluated. RESULTS:Asking four I/O questions required 48 seconds on average and cost between $520 and $623 per Registrar per year. The annual cost for the two hospitals to gather I/O on every patient was $4160 and $15,000. CONCLUSIONS:We conclude no undue burden compared with the estimated $250 billion cost of occupational illnesses and injuries.