USING SPSS
    
       The SPSS syntax file ed2013.sps will read in the NAMCS public use data
       file, create an SPSS dataset and assign variable and value labels. All 
       that the user needs to do is to change the path name at the beginning of 
       the program to point to the location of the dataset that has already 
       been downloaded, and at the end of the program, to assign a location for 
       the resulting SPSS dataset.  This is described in the comments at the 
       beginning of the program.

       The following provides an example of how to begin:  
    
    1) Create a new folder on your local workstation, for example, C:\MYFILES\ED2013

    2) Download to the new folder the 2013 NAMCS Emergency Department dataset (ED2013.zip) from the FTP server: 
       ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/datasets/nhamcs
 
    3) ED2013.zip is a compressed file which must be unzipped prior to use.
       In order to do this, double click on the file name in your directory screen; 
       an option to unzip the file should appear. A new folder, ED2013, will probably 
       be created, depending on the software your system uses. The unzipped file ED2013 
       with no extension will be within that folder. This is the Emergency Department dataset.
       You can then move the file to your preferred location. 

    4) Download to the new folder the ed2013.sps file from the FTP server:
       ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/dataset_documentation/nhamcs/spss

    5) From your directory, click on the ed2013.sps file; it should open automatically in the
       SPSS syntax editor.  If not, you can start SPSS and either point to the file on your workstation
       or copy and paste the entire ed2013.sps file into the syntax editor window.  Follow the directions
       in the comments at the top of the program to point your program to the location of your dataset.
       Run the file in SPSS; your SPSS dataset should be created and ready for analysis.

       SPSS documentation files are being provided as a convenience to data users 
       and may be considered as "beta" versions for the time being. Although we conduct 
       our own testing, we are not primarily SPSS users, and are grateful for the assistance 
       of SPSS users who might wish to offer feedback.  

       If data users experience difficulties or have suggestions for future releases of these 
       products, please contact the Ambulatory and Hospital Care Statistics Branch at 
       301-458-4600.