Participant Use File

The ACHQC is proud to announce availability of the Participant Use File (PUF) for ACHQC surgeons in Good Standing.  This file is a unique opportunity for ACHQC surgeons to obtain access to patient-level data on thousands of patients who have undergone operations for hernia or abdominal core surgical issues. The file itself is certified deidentified from a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act standpoint.  The PUF can be used for patient-level analyses by your own team to perform quality improvement and research.  The PUF file contains the following information:

• Demographics
• Comorbid conditions
• Operative information
• Mesh information (limited to high-level mesh type)
• 30 day outcome information
• Long term recurrence information as available (the completeness of this will vary based on the populations of interest; readily available 1 year or greater follow up is around 15-20%)
• Short and long term patient reported outcomes as available

The PUF is currently available for data between years 2013 – 2021 and is updated annually.  To request access to the PUF, please complete a Surgeon Data Request Form here.  All users of PUF data agree to not attempt identification of patients, hospitals, mesh brands, or individual companies manufacturing products that may be in the PUF.