Need help with circ research

[Mamm2]

I am helping out a NOCIRC member write an article. He needs circ rates in local area hospitals.

I found these stats. Pls correct me if there is more recent information. http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/bollinger2004/
http://www.circlist.com/rites/usa.html

I will be contacting local hospitals with a request for info. Info such as number of circ, demographics, etc. These are my questions:

-has anyone ever done this?
-who would you contact at the hospital to request circ data?
-do you think the hospital will release this info?
-anyone have a template of a letter to send ?

TIA

[Benji'sMom]

Well, I know you can get info about the hospital's rate of c-sections, and individual doctor's rates of c-sections, so maybe they will release the circ info, too, if they keep track. It's worth a try. I don't know who keeps the info, the records office, maybe?

[Frankly Speaking]

The Bollinger information is the most accurate and most current available.

You may want to take a little bit of a deceptive tack to get the information. I suspect you will get a lot better reception if you say (or indicate) you are a college student collecting information for a term paper. Most people are more than willing to help students and usually will do so without many questions.

I do know of people who have gotten this information but it's going to vary from hospital to hospital. If you don't get the information from your hometown hospital, could you use information from the hospital in the next town?

Since hospitals have electronic billing systems, I would suspect you could get most of the information from the accounts receivable department. If not, the information operator can probably direct you to the correct person.




Frank

[Mamm2]

Good idea about the student angle. Thanks a bunch Frank!