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Data element: A specific piece of data, such as an observation or aggregate of individual observations, needed to calculate a value of a measure.
Data limitations: Specific information related to the quality or completeness of the data that will help you understand it correctly.
Data source: An organization or information system providing data for tracking.
Data suppression: Preventing public display of information to protect personal information.
Detection limit: The lowest concentration of a chemical that can reliably be distinguished from a zero concentration.
Developmental disability: A diverse group of severe chronic conditions caused by mental and/or physical impairments. People with developmental disabilities have problems with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living.
Diabetes: A group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
Discharge date: The date of discharge from hospital.
Dioxin: Any of a family of compounds known chemically as dibenzo-p-dioxins. Dioxin is considered highly toxic and may cause cancer or birth defects. Dioxins are created as by-products in many industrial processes.
Disinfectant byproducts: A compound formed by the reaction of a disinfectant such as chlorine with organic material in the water supply; a chemical byproduct of the disinfection process.
Domestic water use: Using water for household purposes, such as drinking, preparing food, bathing, washing clothes and dishes, flushing toilets, or watering lawns and gardens. Also called residential water use. The water may be obtained from a public supply or may be self-supplied by a homeowner (such as by a well).
Drinking water compliance: The act of meeting all state and federal drinking water regulations.
Drinking water contaminant: Any physical chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in drinking water.
Drinking water exemption: State or EPA permission for a water system not to meet a certain drinking water standard. An exemption allows a system additional time to obtain financial assistance or make improvements in order to come into compliance with the standard. The system must prove that (1) there are compelling reasons (including economic factors) why Maximum Contaminant Level or Treatment Technique cannot be met; (2) the system was in operation on the effective date of the requirement, and (3) the exemption will not create an unreasonable risk to public health. The state must set a schedule under which the water system will comply with the standard for which it received an exemption.
Drinking water monitoring: Testing that water systems must perform to detect and measure contaminants. A water system that does not follow EPA's monitoring methodology or schedule is in violation and may be subject to legal action.
Drinking water supply: Water available for drinking.
Drinking water supply distribution system: A network of pipes used to carry treated water from the treatment plant to customers' plumbing systems.
Drinking water treatment technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Drinking water variance: State or EPA permission not to meet a certain drinking water standard. The water system must prove that (1) even while using the best available treatment method it cannot meet a Maximum Contaminant Level because of the characteristics of the raw water and (2) the variance will not create an unreasonable risk to public health. The state or EPA must review and allow public comment on a variance every three years. States can also grant variances to water systems that serve small populations and which prove that they are unable to afford the required treatment or an alternative water source or to otherwise comply with the standard.
Drinking water violation: A failure to meet any state or federal drinking water regulation.
Drinking water vulnerability assessment: An evaluation of drinking water source quality and its vulnerability to contamination by pathogens and toxic chemicals.
Duplicate records (Hospitalization data): More than one record for the same person with the same hospital admission data (i.e., all columns have the same information).