topic Re: Visitlink not found error message while coding in HCUP SID database in SAS Programming

Visitlink not found error message while coding in HCUP SID database

charleenjm — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:25:37 GMT

Hello,

I am searching for sickle cell admissions on HCUP SID Databases in 5 select states: NY, NJ, NC, FL, and MD from 2016-2020. I was successful in finding unique sickle cell patient and unique admissions in New York State. However, I tried to run the same codes in SAS for New Jersey and North Carolina but I get an error message "Variable VISITLINK not found." I thought visitlink was available for all states. Is there something wrong with my code?

Re: Visitlink not found error message while coding in HCUP SID database

SASKiwi — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:24:54 GMT

Use PROC CONTENTS to list the variables in your dataset:

proc contents data = MyDataset;
run

Maybe there is a problem earlier in your code that dropped the variable you need. Use PROC CONTENTS to find where that variable got dropped.

Re: Visitlink not found error message while coding in HCUP SID database

charleenjm — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 15:05:22 GMT

Hi! Thanks so much for getting back to me. It was brought to my attention that certain states don't use the VisitLink variable. So NJ and NC do not use them.