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Trauma

Download Free 2026 Trauma Data Dictionary

November 25, 2025

2026-ntds-dictionary-covereditorial.png

Standardized patient data is a key element of ACS Quality Programs and surgical quality improvement, and the ACS National Trauma Data Bank® (NTDB®) has released the 2026 version of the National Trauma Data Standard (NTDS) Data Dictionary to provide hospitals with free, standardized data elements for traumatic injury. 

The NTDS standardizes trauma registry data collection to improve patient care and trauma training, as well as define a standard for measuring care. Hospitals can share the key elements of their data collection nationally. The dictionary is designed to establish a national standard for the exchange of trauma registry data and serve as the operational definitions for the NTDB and Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP).

The data, which are submitted according to this standard, are used for all NTDB and TQIP reports, and the NTDS Data Dictionary is an essential abstraction tool for all ACS-verified trauma centers, as well as for NTDB and TQIP participants.

The 2026 data dictionary includes more than 100 updates or changes, which are available to review.

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