Ambulatory Health Care Data

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) is designed to meet the need for objective, reliable information about the provision and use of ambulatory medical care services in the United States. Findings are based on a sample of visits to nonfederally employed office-based physicians who are primarily engaged in direct patient care and, starting in 2006, a separate sample of visits to community health centers.

The National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) is designed to collect data on the utilization and provision of ambulatory care services in hospital emergency and outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery locations. Findings are based on a national sample of visits to the emergency departments,  outpatient departments, and ambulatory surgery locations of noninstitutional general and short-stay hospitals.

Participation in the National Health Care Surveys May Allow Eligible Professionals, Eligible Hospitals, and Critical Access Hospitals to Earn Credit for Meaningful Use