This derived field contains a code that indicates whether any of the diagnosis fields (diag_01 to diag_07) contains a valid V code (see diag_nn). For 1995-1996 only, U codes replaced the V codes. Although classed as Psychiatric data, values 1 to 3 indicate the level of neonatal care for a patient aged under 29 days.

From 1989-90:

1 = V290 - Neonate: normal care usually given by a mother in a maternity neonatal ward, supervised by a midwife and doctor but requiring minimal medical or nursing advice

2 = V291 - Neonate: special care which provided observation and treatment falling short of intensive care but exceeding routine care

3 = V292 - Neonate: intensive care which involved continuous skills supervision by nursing and medical staff for at least one hour or until death. Resuscitation carried out immediately after birth and completed within an hour or so does not constitute intensive care

4 = V690 - Psychiatric: not previously known to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital or hospital unit

5 = V691 - Psychiatric: previously admitted to a psychiatric hospital or hospital unit of the provider

6 = V692 - Psychiatric: previously admitted to a psychiatric hospital or a hospital unit of another provider

For the 1995-96 year only, the codes were changed to the following (see above for definitions):

V290 became U500

V291 became U501

V292 became U502 or U503 (U502 denoting a level of care higher than that previously denoted by V291 but falling short of the highest, for which U503 was used)

V690 became U510

V691 became U511

V692 became U512

From 1996-97 this field was replaced by neocare and admistat.