III.2.9.2 Spanish/Hispanic Origin

This data item is used to identify patients with Spanish/Hispanic surname or of Spanish origin.  Persons of Spanish or Hispanic surname/origin may be of any race.

Included in this data field are people whose native tongue is Spanish, who are nationals of a Spanish speaking Latin American country or Spain, and/or who identify with Spanish or Hispanic culture (such as Latinos living in the American Southwest).

Coding Instructions:

• The primary source for coding is an ethnic identifier stated in the medical record.

• Coding is independent of the Race field, since persons of Hispanic origin might be described as white, black, or some other race in the medical record.

• Spanish origin is not the same as being born in a Spanish language country.

• Birthplace might provide guidance in determining the correct code, but do not rely on it exclusively.

• Information about birthplace is entered separately.  

• See Section III.2.12.

• For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, per SEER guidelines, do not presume that Portuguese, Brazilians and Filipinos are to be coded as Spanish or non-Spanish.

• Use code 0, Non-Spanish for the following scenarios:

• If the patient’s last name is not found on the Spanish Surname list.

• If the patient has a Spanish surname, but the medical record contains information that he or she is not of Hispanic origin-– a statement indicating the patient is not Hispanic is required and must be included in either the physical exam or remarks text fields.

• (American Indians frequently have Spanish surnames but are not considered to be of Spanish origin in the sense meant here).

• If a woman's maiden name is not Spanish.

• Use Code 6, Spanish, NOS if the record does not state an origin that can be assigned to codes 1-5 or 8 and there is evidence other than surname that the person is Hispanic.

• Assign code 7 for the following scenarios:

• If the patient’s last name is on the Spanish Surname list, See Appendix O.

• If the record does not state an origin that can be assigned to codes 0-6.

• For a woman with a Spanish maiden name or a male patient with a Spanish surname.

Note: The CCR has adopted the official list of Spanish Surnames from the 1980 U.S. Census, and this list should be used to assign code 7. See Appendix O.

Note: Do NOT use code 7 if the record describes the patient as Mexican, Puerto Rican, or another specific ethnicity or origin included in codes 1 to 5 or 8.  Enter the appropriate code whether or not the patient's surname or maiden name is Spanish.

• Use Code 9 Unknown Whether Spanish or Not, if race is coded as not known (Race code 99).

• EXCEPTION: If the patient's last name appears on the Spanish Surname list, then use code 7, Spanish surname only, rather than Code 9.

Codes:

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