Abstract: . . .  information contained in two forms the Discharge Data Abstract (DDA) and the Uniform Billing Form (UBF). These forms, completed by all general hospitals in New York State, are submitted electronically to SPARCS, checked for errors and returned to the hospitals for correction. The DDA and UBF share several common fields and are linked, thereby produc- ing a combined record with medical and financial information. Criteria for inclusion of SPARCS records in this fact book included: (1) a principal ICD-9 diagnosis code for asthma (493.XX) and (2) residence in New York City, as determined by zip code, at the time of the hospitalization. Interpretation and presentation of the SPARCS data present certain difficulties. SPARCS data represent numbers of hospitalizations, not numbers of individuals hospitalized. Since some asthmatics may be hospitalized repeatedly in any given year, the numbers or rates may overestimate the number of asthmatics hospitalized. Additionally, SPARCS data on the race and ethnicity of individual patients are imprecise. Primarily, these data are not collected in a standardized manner across hospitals. Data regarding Hispanic origin are missing for approximately 25% of the asthma cases. Finally, large numbers of records had race listed as other. Consequently, race/ethnicity- specific rates for asthma hospitalization could not be calculated. School-Based Prevalence Data The DOHMH School Health Examination Form, known as the 211S form, is completed by parents or guardians and medical providers for children entering New York City public and private schools for the first time. The 211S data provide information on students gender, race and ethnicity, place of birth, medical history, physical examination results, immuniza- tion dates, lead and tuberculosis screening test results, and recommendation or restrictions for full physical activity. It is estimated that the DOHMH receives approximately 80% of forms for new entrants by the end of th . . .
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