Texas Inpatient Research Data File (IP RDF)

In accordance with Health and Safety Code, Section 108.012(b),"the council (department) may charge a person requesting public use or provider quality data a fee for the data.  The fees may reflect the quantity of information provided and the expense incurred by the council in collecting and providing the data and shall be set at a level that will raise revenue sufficient for the operation of the council (department's program).  The council (department) may not charge a fee for providing public use data to another state agency. 

Chapter 108 may be viewed by clicking  here.

Inpatient Data not released in the PUDF can be requested for research purposes by individuals and organizations, including universities and government agencies. The data elements required for the proposed research and a description of the intended use of the data are reviewed by THCIC staff to ensure compliance with statutes governing the data and appropriate quality of detail within the application. The THCIC staff approved request is then submitted to the DSHS Institutional Review Board for scientific review, including ethical considerations and final approval.

Please note that THCIC data is covered by specific statutes that are not the same as typical Public Health Surveillance laws.  It is a criminal act to attempt to identify any physician or patient through use of THCIC inpatient data (see Chapter 108, Texas Health and Safety Code). Your research data request should demonstrate an understanding of these statutes and include details of how the data will be handled throughout all stages of your research study.