title: Variability among hospitals and staff in collection of race, ethnicity, birthplace, and socioeconomic information in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
abstract: Hospital data on race, ethnicity, birthplace, and socioeconomic status (SES) are important for identifying health disparities; however, little is known about the consistency across and within hospitals in the collection of these data. This study examined hospital practices and policies for the collection of these data and the variability across hospital staff and hospital characteristics. Surveys were mailed to selected hospital staff in all 59 hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area, and completed questionnaires were received from 141 (of 367) staff from 41 hospitals. While most hospitals collect race/ethnicity (83% always collect) and birthplace (60% always or sometimes collect), few hospitals collect patient information on education (75% never collect) and income (55% never collect). There is vast variability in reported practices and policies across staff within hospitals, and variability across hospitals with regards to certain hospital characteristics. Nationally standardized policies, including standards for where, what, and when these data should be collected, are necessary for accurate and uniform data collection, and for effectively addressing health disparities.
authors.affiliation: Northern California Cancer Center, 2201 Walnut Avenue, Suite 300, Fremont, CA 94538, USA. scarlett@nccc.org
authors.forename: Scarlett L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Satariano
authors.forename: Gem M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: Dee W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000379:methods*; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000592:standards; D006753:Hospital Records / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012495:San Francisco; D012923:Social Class
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