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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 10/18/2025 5:24 AM
Question 20091093
Inquiry Details
References:
#1: 2007 SEER Manual. Appendix D
#2: 2007 SEER Manual, 40
Question:
Race--How and when is Appendix D, Race and Nationality Descriptions from the 2000 Census and Bureau of Vital Statistics, to be used? See Discussion.
Discussion:
For example, if race is recorded as unknown on the facesheet of a hardcopy medical record or in the race field of an electronic medical record, how should race be coded for the following descriptions found in the history and physical or consultation reports submitted by clinicians?
1) Patient is Czechoslovakian
2) Patient is born in Czechoslovakia
3) Patient is Ethiopian
4) Patient is born in Ethiopia
5) Patient is Japanese
6) Patient is born in Japan
7) Patient is Brazilian
8) Patient is born in Brazil
Would you code these cases any differently if these descriptions were actually used in the race fields in the medical record or on a death certificate?
Answer:
Code the patient's stated race when possible. Refer to Appendix D, Race and Nationality Descriptions from the 2000 Census and Bureau of Vital Statistics, for guidance.
Use the lists in Appendix D when race is not stated but other information is provided in the medical record. The cases you provide are good examples of the use of Appendix D. They would be coded the same if the descriptions were used in the medical record or death certificate race fields.
