Encounter number

The Encounter number (Enc in <which of tmsx's files?>) is the count of Multiple Encounters of the same patient to our database.

The Statistician can do it a number of ways depending on type of database request. readmits (encounters) to the ICU and/or medicine program or to a specific program in region or to any hospital in region.

• In the past encounter number was generated by TMSX program utilty, but now only by the statistician uses SAS program.

• Example of one patient:
• 1. From Home to HSC transf to CON, transf back to HSC discharged home:
  • HSC enc 1
  • CON enc 1
  • HSC enc 2
  • this is the first encounter to hospital system in city.
• 2. same patient
• From home to HSC transf to VIC transf to CON transf back to HSC discharged home
  • HSC enc 1
  • VIC enc 1
  • CON enc 2
  • HSC enc 3
  • this is the second encounter to hospital system in city.

(Tina says: this doesn't help. When qualified as "hospital encounter" or "hospital system encounter" it is all clear. I am concerned because "encounter" by itself could mean either unless apparent from the context. For a query I need to know which is meant, especially if the query then goes on to specify earlier and later encounters...)