Introduction

One of the most important steps in the NEISS reporting process is determining whether or not an ED record is “in-scope”. If a record is in-scope, it is eligible for reporting.

Do Report

All first visits to your hospital ED for:

• Injuries, regardless of product involvement and regardless of intent.
• Illnesses only if a consumer product or recreational activity is associated with the onset of the illness.
• Illnesses causally linked to a work activity

Do Not Report

• Routine visits for either screening or treatment referrals for drugs or alcohol use.
• Cases if the specific injury or illness was previously treated in this or any other hospital.
• Cases based on data collected during a patient history or physical exam if that data provides no information on the reason(s) for seeking emergency treatment or conditions treated during the visit.

See the NEISS Coding Manual in the course Tool Kit for more information. Do not hesitate to call your CPSC headquarters representative for guidance on in-scope definitions and appropriate coding (1-800-638-8095).

Lesson Topics

Injury Reporting Rule

All injuries, with or without product involvement, qualify for NEISS and should be reported. Reportable injuries include those occurring while in recreation, while at work, and whether intentional or unintentional.

Report all emergency department visits:

• With diagnoses that generally reflect injuries such as fractures, burns, lacerations, etc.
• With diagnoses that might reflect an injury (e.g., pain, soreness, weakness, etc.) if there is an external cause of the symptoms.
• Directly related to an external cause (e.g., MVA, fall, gun shot, overexertion, etc.) even if no symptoms or diagnoses are listed.
• Related to use or abuse of alcohol and drugs including adverse reactions.

Lesson Topics

Illness Reporting Rule

Illnesses and disorders qualify for NEISS and should be reported only if:

• A consumer product or recreational activity is associated with the onset of the illness.
• A causal link exists between the illness or disorder and a work activity.

Some examples of illnesses or disorders that are typically not reportable; i.e., do not involve a consumer product, recreational, or work activity, are:

• Chronic conditions - cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis.
• Infections ­ flu, sore throat, sexually transmitted diseases.
• Psychiatric conditions ­ anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
• Neurological conditions ­ stroke and epilepsy.

Lesson Topics

Special Studies Reporting

CPSC sometimes contracts with other government agencies to conduct special studies of injuries associated with specific products or hazard pattern. Each study is designed for a specific purpose and has special reporting rules and data collection criteria. As a NEISS coordinator, you will be involved in collecting and reporting data for these special studies.

When a special study is initiated, you will be informed of the reporting rules and data collection criteria that apply. When entering data in the PC-NEISS reporting software, you will be automatically presented with an additional data entry screen to capture the additional data for a special study.

Lesson Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should we report animal bites?
A: Report animal bites as animal induced Injury.

Q: Should we report insect bites or stings?
A: Report insect bites or stings as insect induced injury.

Q: Should we report cases where the emergency department record states “no injury” as a diagnosis?
A: Report all trauma cases with “no injury” diagnosis. NEISS captures all emergency visits for trauma. A ”no injury” diagnosis simply indicates that there was no evidence of the injury during the ER examination. If possible, use the patient’s complaint to code the injury.

Q: Should we report allergic reactions to food?
A: Allergic reactions associated with food should not be reported.

Q: Should we report cases previously treated in other facilities for the same injury?
A: Do not report cases previously treated in another hospital unless the victim has been re-injured in a new incident. Do report cases previously treated only in other facilities such as physician offices and ambulatory care clinics.

Q: Should I report cases of ringworm, skin infections, poison ivy, or other dermatological disorders?
A: Only report skin disorders associated with a consumer product, recreational activity, or work activity.

Q: Should we report cases which bypass our emergency department and are treated in clinics or through direct admission to our hospital?
A: Report all emergency visits to your hospital which otherwise meet our reporting rules. If some emergency cases routinely bypass the emergency department, please set up a procedure to review all relevant records and report in-scope cases.

Q: Should we report cases where the victim left the hospital without receiving medical treatment?
A: Report all in-scope cases where an emergency department record was filled out.

Q: Should I report sneezing, running nose, or upper respiratory infections?
A: Do not report an illness unless it is associated with a consumer product, work-related exposure, or recreational activity.

Q: When do we report second visits to our hospital for the same injury?
A: Report repeat visits for the same injury only if the victim has been re-injured in a new incident.

Q: When should we report a motor vehicle injury?
A: Report all motor vehicle injuries.

Q: When should we report injuries where no reportable product is mentioned in the incident scenario?
A: Report all injuries regardless of product involvement, injury, intent, or occurrence at work. Also report illnesses only if a consumer product/activity or work experience is associated with the onset of the illness. There are four special product codes which can be used for cases without a specific product.

Cases which meet the requirements of the poisoning special study (ages under 5 with a diagnosis of poisoning or chemical burn).Use product code 5555 if the product is not a consumer product or if the product is unknown.

Injuries which occur in house fires where no product is mentioned. Use product code 1866.

Carbon monoxide poisonings where the source is unknown. Use product code 1899. A second product code may be used as long as it is not the source of the carbon monoxide (i.e., carbon monoxide detector).

If a case involves no product or it appears to be a product that is out of scope for NEISS, use product code 7878. If a case also mentions a second product that is a codeable consumer product, code only the consumer product.

If a product is mentioned in the ED record, and you cannot find an appropriate code in the alphabetic index of the coding manual, use product code 9999.

Q: When should I report a fall injury?

A: Report all fall injuries. Do not assume (and code) fall unless it is explicitly mentioned in the accident scenario.

Q: When should I report an injury involving a homemade product?
A: Report injuries associated with homemade products using the same rules as for injuries with manufactured products.

Lesson Topics