For 80 years, the AHA has collected data directly from hospitals and health systems, providing a comprehensive and trusted view of U.S. hospitals.
Hospital Data, Directly From the Source
Since 1946, the American Hospital Association has collected data directly from hospitals and health systems across the country. Today, the AHA Annual Survey Database™ profiles more than 6,200 hospitals and 400 health systems, with information spanning hospital characteristics and services, utilization, staffing, finances and more.
That long history provides a consistent source of hospital-reported data for understanding both the current hospital field and how it has changed over time. Each year, the AHA also evaluates the survey to make sure it continues to capture relevant information as hospitals and health systems evolve.
Trusted by Government Agencies and Researchers
AHA Data is used by government agencies and researchers to study the U.S. hospital field, from hospital characteristics and operations to quality, technology adoption and emerging trends. Federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Census Bureau and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have used AHA Data, while researchers have drawn on the AHA Annual Survey and related datasets in studies published in Health Affairs and The New England Journal of Medicine.
The AHA has also collected data on health information technology since 2008, tracking areas including EHR adoption, interoperability, telehealth and emerging technologies. This data has been used extensively by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and continues to support research on how technology is being adopted and used in U.S. hospitals.
A Rigorous Approach to Data Quality
The AHA uses multiple steps to review and validate Annual Survey data. Responses are checked for completeness and consistency and compared with previously reported data. When unusual changes appear from one year to the next, the AHA reviews other responses for an explanation and may contact the hospital directly to validate or clarify the information.
The AHA also compares responses across hospitals of similar types, sizes and geographic areas to identify inconsistencies that warrant additional review. When survey responses are incomplete or missing, the AHA uses established statistical methods to estimate eligible missing data.