AHRQ Medical Office SOPS Survey Data File Specifications

AHRQ Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety Culture
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency
Supplemental Items

Survey Data File Specifications

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications

Survey Data File Specifications
These specifications are for preparing your respondent-level data from the Medical
Office Survey on Patient Safety Culture, Diagnostic Safety Supplemental Items, and
Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items. The instructions below tell you how to
prepare your Excel data file for submission to the Medical Office Survey on Patient
Safety Culture Database with the Diagnostic Safety and/or Value and Efficiency
Supplemental Items. If you only administered the Diagnostic Safety Supplemental
Items and NOT the Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items or vice versa, please
leave the appropriate survey columns blank with the exception of the variable name in
the header.
In this document, the “Survey” refers to the Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety
Culture as well as the Diagnostic Safety and the Value and Efficiency Supplemental
Items which would be added to the end of the core survey after item G2, “Overall
Rating on Patient Safety.”
INSTRUCTIONS (Excel File Only):
Step 1: Include a header row with the variable name for each column.
Step 2: Enter individual survey response data using the response values indicated in this
document (beginning on page 4).
Step 3: Check your data for the following things before submitting to the SOPS Database:
•

SKIP PATTERNS
When using the SOPS Medical Office Survey with the Value and Efficiency
Supplemental Items added, there are two skip patterns in the survey:

•

•

If a respondent answers 1 = Yes, to question EA, “Are you an owner, a
managing partner, or in a leadership position with responsibility for
making financial decisions for your medical office?”, then responses to
questions E1 – E4 should be blank.

•

If a respondent answers 1 = Yes, to question VED, “Are you an owner, a
managing partner, or in a leadership position with responsibility for
making financial decisions for your medical office?”, then responses to
questions VED1 – VED4 should be blank.

OUT-OF-RANGE VALUES
You should clean your data before submitting to the database to ensure that
there are no out-of-range values and that the data submitted are free from error.
Make sure all response values match the response value for the question.

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Last Updated April 2021

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AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
•

REVERSE CODED ITEMS
Do not submit reverse coded data for the survey’s negatively worded items.
Simply submit each individual’s unmodified responses to the survey items.
For example, survey item C3, “In this office, we often feel rushed when taking
care of patients” is negatively worded. Regardless, the data should be submitted
so that 1=Strongly disagree and 5=Strongly agree, as originally indicated in the
survey, as follows:
1=Strongly Disagree
2=Disagree
3=Neither
4=Agree
5=Strongly Agree
9=Does Not Apply or Don’t Know

•

STAFF POSITIONS
If your medical office modified or added a new staff position (BQ3) category,
you MUST RECODE your specific staff positions back to the survey’s original
staff position category. If you added staff positions that do not match any of the
survey’s original staff positions, re-code your specific staff positions as
“OTHER” (BQ3 = “g”), before submitting your data to the database.

•

OTHER, PLEASE SPECIFY TEXT AND COMMENTS
Do not include Other, Please Specify data (related to questions B5 and BQ3), or
comments (Comments). While you may find it useful to review this text, it
shouldnot be submitted to the database.

•

SPANISH VERSION OF THE SURVEY
Please indicate which respondents (if any) completed a Spanish version of the
survey, if you have this information available. You should do so by adding an
‘S’ to the Individual Unique Record ID, e.g. 001S.

•

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSION OF THE SURVEY
Please indicate which respondents (if any) completed the survey in a language that
was not English or Spanish, if you have this information available. You should do
so by adding an ‘N’ to the Individual Unique Record ID (UNIQUEID), e.g. 001N.

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Last Updated April 2021

3

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

Response Values

Record Identifier
Site ID
Individual Unique Record ID

Column
A
Column
UNIQUEID
B
SITEID

5 digits or less
4 digits or less

SECTION A: List of Patient Safety and Quality Issues
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. A patient was unable to
get an appointment
within 48 hours for an
acute/serious problem

A1

Column
C

2. The wrong chart/medical
record was used for a
patient

A2

Column
D

3. A patient’s chart/medical
record was not available
when needed

A3

Column
E

4. Medical information was
filed, scanned, or entered
into the wrong patient’s
chart/medical record

A4

Column
F

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

4

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question
5. Medical equipment was
not working properly or
was in need of repair or
replacement

Variable
Name

Column
Position

A5

Column
G

6. A pharmacy contacted
our office to clarify or
correct a prescription

A6

Column
H

7. A patient’s medication
list was not updated
during his or her visit

A7

Column
I

8. The results from a lab or
imaging test were not
available when needed

A8

Column
J

9. A critical abnormal
result from a lab or
imaging test was not
followed up within 1
business day

A9

Column
K

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Daily
2 = Weekly
3 = Monthly
4 = Several times in the past 12 months
5 = Once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = Not in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

5

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
SECTION B: Information Exchange With Other Settings
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. Outside lab/imaging
centers?

B1

Column
L

2. Other medical offices/
outside physicians?

B2

Column
M

3. Pharmacies?

B3

Column
N

4. Hospitals?

B4

Column
O

5. Other? (Specify):

B5

Column
P

Response Values
1 = Problems daily
2 = Problems weekly
3 = Problems monthly
4 = Problems several times in the past 12 months
5 = Problems once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = No problems in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Problems daily
2 = Problems weekly
3 = Problems monthly
4 = Problems several times in the past 12 months
5 = Problems once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = No problems in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Problems daily
2 = Problems weekly
3 = Problems monthly
4 = Problems several times in the past 12 months
5 = Problems once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = No problems in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Problems daily
2 = Problems weekly
3 = Problems monthly
4 = Problems several times in the past 12 months
5 = Problems once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = No problems in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Problems daily
2 = Problems weekly
3 = Problems monthly
4 = Problems several times in the past 12 months
5 = Problems once or twice in the past 12 months
6 = No problems in the past 12 months
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

TEXT FOR OTHER, SPECIFY [B5_os] – DO NOT SUBMIT TO DATABASE

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Last Updated April 2021

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AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
SECTION C: Working in Your Medical Office
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. When someone in this
office gets really busy,
others help out

C1

Column
Q

2. In this office, there is a
good working
relationship between
staff and providers

C2

Column
R

3. In this office, we often
feel rushed when
taking care of patients

C3

Column
S

4. This office trains staff
when new processes are
put into place

C4

Column
T

5. In this office, we treat
each other with respect

C5

Column
U

6. We have too many
patients for the number
of providers in this
office

C6

Column
V

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

7

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

7. This office makes sure
staff get the on-the-job
training they need

Variable
Name

Column
Position

C7

Column
W

8. This office is more
disorganized than it
should be

C8

Column
X

9. We have good
procedures for checking
that work in this office
was done correctly

C9

Column
Y

10. Staff in this office are
asked to do tasks they
haven’t been trained to
do

C10

Column
Z

11. We have enough staff to
handle our patient load

C11

Column
AA

12. We have problems with
workflow in this office

C12

Column
AB

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

8

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

13. This office emphasizes
teamwork in taking care
of patients

Variable
Name

Column
Position

C13

Column
AC

14. This office has too many
patients to be able to
handle everything
effectively

C14

Column
AD

15. Staff in this office follow
standardized processes
to get tasks done

C15

Column
AE

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

SECTION D: Communication and Follow-up
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. Providers in this office
are open to staff ideas
about how to improve
office processes

D1

Column
AF

2. Staff are encouraged to
express alternative
viewpoints in this office

D2

Column
AG

3. This office reminds
patients when they need
to schedule an
appointment for
preventive or routine
care

D3

Column
AH

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

9

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

4. Staff are afraid to ask
questions when something
does not seemright

5. This office documents how
well our chronic- care
patients follow their
treatment plans

Variable
Name

D4

Column
Position

Column
AI

D5

Column
AJ

D6

Column
AK

7. Staff feel like their
mistakes are held against
them.

D7

Column
AL

8. Providers and staff talk
openly about office
problems.

D8

Column
AM

9. This office follows up with
patients who need
monitoring

D9

Column
AN

6. Our office follows up when
we do not receive a report
we are expectingfrom an
outside provider

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

10

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

10. It is difficult to voice
disagreement in this
office

Variable
Name

Column
Position

D10

Column
AO

11. In this office, we discuss
ways to prevent errors
from happening again

D11

Column
AP

12. Staff are willing to
report mistakes they
observe in this office

D12

Column
AQ

Response Values
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

SECTION E: Owner/Managing Partner/Leadership Support
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

A. Are you an owner, a
managing partner, or in a
leadership position with
responsibility for making
financial decisions for
your medical office?

EA

Column
AR

Response Values
1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

If question EA (Column AR) = 1 (Yes) then skip to section F.
1. They aren’t investing
enough resources to
improve the quality of
care in this office

MOS-DX-VE-0421

E1

Column
AS

1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped

Last Updated April 2021

11

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

2. They overlook patient
care mistakes that
happen over and over

E2

Column
AT

3. They place a high
priority on improving
patient care processes

E3

Column
AU

E4

Column
AV

4. They make decisions too
often based on what is best
for the office rather than
what is best for patients

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped

SECTION F: Your Medical Office
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. When there is a problem
in our office, we see if
we need to change the
way we do things

F1

Column
AW

2. Our office processes are
good at preventing
mistakes that could affect
patients

F2

Column
AX

3. Mistakes happen more
than they should in this
office

F3

Column
AY

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

12

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

4. It is just by chance that
we don’t make more
mistakes that affect our
patients

F4

Column
AZ

5. This office is good at
changing office
processes to make sure
the same problems don’t
happen again

F5

Column
BA

6. In this office, getting
more work done is more
important than quality of
care

F6

Column
BB

7. After this office makes
changes to improve the
patient care process, we
check to see if the
changes worked

F7

Column
BC

Variable
Name

Column
Position

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

SECTION G: Overall Ratings
Survey Question
1a. Is responsive to
individual patient
preferences, needs, and
values

G1a

Column
BD

1b. Is based on scientific
knowledge

G1b

Column
BE

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Very good
5 = Excellent
blank = Missing
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Very good
5 = Excellent
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

13

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1c. Minimizes waits and
potentially harmful
delays

G1c

Column
BF

1d. Ensures cost-effective
care (avoids waste,
overuse, and misuse of
services)

G1d

Column
BG

G1e

Column
BH

1e. Provides the same
quality of care to all
individuals regardless of
gender, race, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status,
language, etc.
2. Overall, how would yourate
the systems and clinical
processes your medical
office has in place to
prevent, catch, and correct
problems that have the
potential toaffect patients?

Column
BI

G2

Response Values
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Very good
5 = Excellent
blank = Missing
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Very good
5 = Excellent
blank = Missing
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Very good
5 = Excellent
blank = Missing
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Very good
5 = Excellent
blank = Missing

Diagnostic Safety (DX) Supplemental Items: Time Availability
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. The amount of time for
appointments is long
enough to fully
evaluate the patient’s
presenting problem(s)

DXA1

Column
BJ

2. Providers in this office
have enough time to
review the relevant
information related to
the patient’s presenting
problem(s)

DXA2

Column
BK

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

14

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question
3. Providers in this office
finish their patient
notes by the end of
their regular workday

Variable
Name

DXA3

Column
Position

Column
BL

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Diagnostic Safety (DX) Supplemental Items: Testing and Referrals
Survey Question
1. This office is effective at
tracking a patient’s test
results from labs,
imaging, and other
diagnostic procedures
2. When this office doesn’t
receive a patient’s test
results, staff follow up

3. All test results are
communicated to
patients, even if the test
results are normal

4. When this office makes a
high priority referral, we
try to confirm whether the
patient went to the
appointment

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Variable
Name

Column
Position

DXB1

Column
BM

DXB2

Column
BN

DXB3

Column
BO

DXB4

Column
BP

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

15

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Diagnostic Safety (DX) Supplemental Items: Provider and Staff Communication Around
Diagnosis
Survey Question
1. Providers in this office
encourage staff to share
their concerns about a
patient’s health condition

2. Providers document
differential diagnoses
when they have not ruled
out other diagnoses

3. When a provider thinks
another provider in this
office/system may have
missed a diagnosis, they
inform that provider
4. When a missed, wrong,
or delayed diagnosis
happens in this office,
we are informed about it

5. Providers in this office
talk directly with
specialists/radiologists/
pathologists when
something needs
clarification

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Variable
Name

Column
Position

DXC1

Column
BQ

DXC2

Column
BR

DXC3

Column
BS

DXC4

Column
BT

DXC5

Column
BU

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

16

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Value and Efficiency (VE) Supplemental Items: Empowerment to Improve Efficiency
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. We are encouraged to
come up with ideas for
more efficient ways to do
our work

VEA1

Column
BV

2. We are involved in
making decisions about
changes to our work
processes

VEA2

Column
BW

3. We are given
opportunities to try out
solutions to workflow
problems

VEA3

Column
BX

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

VE Supplemental Items: Efficiency and Waste Reduction
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

1. We try to find ways to
reduce waste (such as
wasted time, materials,
steps, etc.) in how we do
our work

VEB1

Column
BY

2. In our office, we are
working to improve
patient flow

VEB2

Column
BZ

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Response Values
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

17

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

3. We focus on eliminating
unnecessary tests and
procedures for patients

Variable
Name

VEB3

Column
Position

Column
CA

Response Values
1 = Never
2 = Rarely
3 = Sometimes
4 = Most of the time
5 = Always
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

VE Supplemental Items: Patient Centeredness and Efficiency
Survey Question

1. We take steps to reduce
patient wait time

2. We ask for patient or family
member input on ways to
make patient visits more
efficient

3. Patient and family member
preferences have led to
changes in our workflow

Variable
Name

VEC1

VEC2

VEC3

Column
Position

Response Values

1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
Column
4 = Agree
CB
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
Column
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
CC
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
Column
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
CD
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing

VE Supplemental Items: Owner, Managing Partner, Leadership Support for Improving
Efficiency and Reducing Waste
Survey Question

Variable
Name

Column
Position

Response Values

A. Are you an owner, a
managing partner, or in a
1 = Yes
leadership position with
Column
2 = No
VED
responsibility for making
CE
blank = Missing
financial decisions for
your medical office?
If question VED (Column CE) = 1 (Yes) then skip to VE Supplemental Items: Experience With
Activities To Improve Efficiency.
MOS-DX-VE-0421

Last Updated April 2021

18

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

1. Recognize us for our
ideas to improve
efficiency

2. Provide us with reports
on our office
performance

3. Take action to address
workflow problems that
are brought to their
attention

4. Place a high priority on
doing work efficiently
without compromising
patient care

Variable
Name

VED1

Column
Position

Column
CF

VED2

Column
CG

VED3

Column
CH

VED4

Column
CI

Response Values
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
9 = Does Not Apply or Don’t Know
blank = Missing or properly skipped

VE Supplemental Items: Experience With Activities to Improve Efficiency
Survey Question
1. I received training on
how to identify waste
and inefficiencies in my
work
2. I helped to map a
workflow process to
identify wasted time,
materials, steps in a
process, etc.
3. I shadowed/followed
patients in this office to
identify ways to improve
their care experience

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Variable
Name

Column
Position

VEE1

Column
CJ

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

VEE2

Column
CK

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

VEE3

Column
CL

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

Response Values

Last Updated April 2021

19

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question
4. I looked at visual
displays or graphs to see
how well my office was
performing
5. I made a suggestion to
management about
improving an inefficient
work process
6. I made a suggestion to
management about
improving patients’ care
experiences
7. I served on a team or
committee to make awork
process more efficient.
8. I monitored data to figure
out how well an activity
to improve efficiency was
working

Variable
Name

Column
Position

VEE4

Column
CM

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

VEE5

Column
CN

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

VEE6

Column
CO

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

VEE7

Column
CP

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

VEE8

Column
CQ

1 = Yes
2 = No
blank = Missing

Variable
Name

Column
Position

Response Values

Background Questions
Survey Question
1. How long have you
worked in this medical
office location?

2. Typically, how many
hours per week do you
work in this medical
office location?

MOS-DX-VE-0421

BQ1

BQ2

Response Values

Column
CR

a=
b=
c=
d=
e=
f =
blank =

Column
CS

a = 1 to 4 hours per week
b = 5 to 16 hours per week
c = 17 to 24 hours per week
d = 25 to 32 hours per week
e = 33 to 40 hours per week
f = 41 hours per week or more
blank = Missing

Last Updated April 2021

Less than 2 months
2 months to less than 1 year
1 year to less than 3 years
3 years to less than 6 years
6 years to less than 11 years
11 years or more
Missing

20

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Survey Question

3. What is your position
inthis office? Check
ONE category that
best applies to your
job.

Variable
Name

BQ3

Column
Position

Response Values

Column
CT

a = Physician (MD or DO)
b = Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner,
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse
Midwife, Advanced Practice Nurse, etc.
c = Management
d = Administrative or clerical staff
e = Nurse (RN), Licensed Vocational Nurse
(LVN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
f = Other clinical staff or clinical support
staff
g = Other position
blank = Missing

TEXT FOR OTHER, SPECIFY [BQgos] – DO NOT SUBMIT TO DATABASE
TEXT FOR “YOUR COMMENTS”– DO NOT SUBMIT TO DATABASE

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Last Updated April 2021

21

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Two examples of SECTION E: Owner/Managing Partner/Leadership Support questions are
displayed below. Columns C - AQ are omitted for display purposes.
Example 1: Are you an owner, a managing partner, or in a leadership position with
responsibility for making financial decisions for your medical office?
1=Yes
2=No
A
SiteID
1

B
UniqueID
0001

AR AS AT AU AV AW
… EA E1 E2 E3 E4 F1
2
… 1
Variables E1 through E4 are left
blank because EA is 1 (Yes).

Example 2: Are you an owner, a managing partner, or in a leadership position with
responsibility for making financial decisions for your medical office?
1=Yes
2=No
A
SiteID
2

B
UniqueID
0002

AR AS AT AU AV AW
… EA E1 E2 E3 E4 F1
5
2
3
… 2
3
4
Variables E1 through E4 are
filled in because EA was 2 (No).

Two examples from the Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items: Owner, Managing
Partner, Leadership Support for Improving Efficiency and Reducing Waste questions are
displayed below. Columns C - CD are omitted for display purposes.
Example 1: Are you an owner, a managing partner, or in a leadership position with
responsibility for making financial decisions for your medical office?
1=Yes
2=No
A
B
CE
SiteID UniqueID … VED
1
0001
… 1

CF
CG
CH
CI
VED1 VED2 VED3 VED4
Variables VED1 through VED4 are
left blank because VED was 1 (Yes).

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Last Updated April 2021

22

AHRQ SOPS Medical Office Survey
With Diagnostic Safety and Value and Efficiency Supplemental Items
Survey Data File Specifications
Example 2: Are you an owner, a managing partner, or in a leadership position with
responsibility for making financial decisions for your medical office?
1=Yes
2=No
A
B
CE
SiteID UniqueID … VED
2
1
0001
…

CF
CG
CH
CI
VED1 VED2 VED3 VED4
4
3
4
5
Variables VED1 through VED4 are
filled in because VED was 2 (No).

MOS-DX-VE-0421

Last Updated April 2021

23