Ala. Code § 22-21-411: Discharge Data Collection Systems and Processes; Reports.

(a) The department, upon consultation and approval of the council, shall establish and maintain processes and systems necessary for the protection, collection, and dissemination of discharge data. The department’s discharge data collection systems and processes required by this article shall become operational on or before January 1, 2022.

(b) Commencing April 1, 2022, and quarterly thereafter, all hospitals shall submit to the department discharge data containing discharge data pursuant to rules adopted by the department.

(c) The initial report and each report thereafter shall only be required to include inpatient and outpatient discharge data for those individuals provided services during the three months immediately preceding the date of the discharge data. Any discharges prior to the date immediately preceding the three months prior to the initial report shall not be reported under this article.

(d) The department may contract for any services needed to carry out the provisions of this article.