Data Access and Publication Policy
Utah Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES)


Data Access

It is the policy of CODES to support legitimate access to its crash data file. This document governs the access of CODES data files. CODES will refer any request for non-aggregated patient-identifiable information by third-party payers, employers, or individuals, except as outlined under this document, to the data supplier. The CODES staff will not release any data files except as outlined herein.

The CODES dataset will routinely be available by written request to the CODES office. The specific contents of this data set are listed in the Appendix of this document. The request for this dataset must include the following information:

1. the name, address, and telephone number of the requester;
2. a statement of the purpose for which the data will be used;
3. the year for which data are requested;
4. the format desired for the data (options are Dbase, comma delimited ASCII, or column delimited (SDF)).

The written request must explicitly state that the CODES data will only be used for the purpose described in the request. Furthermore, the request must include the following statement:

"The undersigned agrees that the Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) data set may not be transferred to any other party. The CODES data set is provided by the Utah CODES staff for the exclusive purpose delineated in this letter. The undersigned acknowledge that the sale or redistribution of this data set in any form is expressly prohibited."

The CODES data set will be provided to all agencies and hospitals which have provided original data files which contribute to the data set. The hospitals which provide original data files will be provided with a CODES data set that includes identification of their own hospital patients.

There will be no cost for the CODES data set for agencies and hospitals which have provided original data files which contribute to the data set. There will be a charge of $300.00 per data set for academic institutions and non-profit organizations, and $1000.00 per data set to all other requesters. Special reports must be approved by the CODES Advisory Committee. The cost of special reports is negotiable.

The CODES data set occupies approximately 50 megabytes, and is available on tape cartridges (Quic-80 or 9 track reel). To provide the data set on floppy disks will require an additional $250.00 fee.

Publication

Utah CODES Project Reports

The Utah CODES staff will generate an Annual Report consisting of an analysis of the impact of safety device use on morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in the state of Utah. This report will consist entirely of aggregate data, will not segregate any information by hospital or provider, and will be reviewed and approved by the CODES Advisory Committee prior to public release. Any information contained in the Annual Report or the entire Annual Report may be disseminated to other agencies, news media, or any other interested group of individuals.

Research Manuscripts

Research manuscripts which are derived from the CODES data set as described in the Appendix do not require review or approval of the CODES Advisory Committee or staff. If desired, authors may submit such manuscripts to members of the CODES Advisory Committee for assistance or constructive criticism. Copies of completed manuscripts which contain data derived from the CODES data set should be forwarded to the CODES data center.

Methodological Research Manuscripts

Research manuscripts which are prepared by the CODES staff concerning the probabilistic linkage or statistical methodology will require analysis of identifiers which are not included in the CODES data set outlined in the Appendix. Such manuscripts may not include any such specific identifiers, but may include an analysis of those identifiers as they impact on the specific methodology. Such research manuscripts will not require review by the CODES Advisory Committee. Courtesy copies of all manuscripts will be provided to all CODES Advisory Committee members.

Other Publications

Other publications (e.g. news articles, legislative analyses or summaries) which are generated from the CODES data set as described in the Appendix need not be reviewed by the CODES staff or the CODES Advisory Committee. However, such review may be of assistance to authors of these publications, and will be available to authors at the discretion of the CODES staff.

CODES Data Set Users

Please forward all papers, manuscripts, abstracts, etc., which contain CODES data derived from the CODES data set to the CODES data center.


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Utah CODES (Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System)

 615 Arapeen Dr, Suite 202 Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1226 
Ph: (801) 581-6410, Fax: (801) 581-8686
General Information: larry.cook@hsc.utah.edu Website: IICRC Website