California Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development

MIRCal - Getting Started

The following steps should be completed in order to prepare your facility to use MIRCal. Completing these steps will help expedite the process when you are contacted by your PDS Analyst to begin using MIRCal.

1. Verify that you have the minimum system requirements
   • Access to a personal computer (with the following minimum configuration)
     • 300 MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, 4 GB hard drive (at least 500 MB Free)
     • High speed Internet connection (preferred) or 56K modem or faster
     • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher)
       • 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL). You can confirm that this component of your Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 5.0 or higher) browser is installed by opening your browser and clicking on the Help menu then About Internet Explorer. Within the pop-up window it should state "Cipher Strength: 128-bit". this component must be installed for you to access the MIRCal system.
     • Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 (or higher). This is a FREE product that can be downloaded from the Internet.
     • Virus Checking Software
     • File Compression Program. MIRCal accepts files that are 3MB or less. Files that are more than 3MB must be zipped in order to be submitted successfully. The following compression applications are supported and can be obtained from the manufacturer's website: Winzip, Pkzip, or gzip.
     • CD-ROM (optional)
   • Internet access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
   • E-mail account. MIRCal sends e-mail reminders and notices to a facility's primary contact and administrator.
2. Computer-Based Training (CBT): This is a step-by-step training course on how to submit your Inpatient, Emergency Department, or Ambulatory Surgery data to OSHPD through the MIRCal system. We strongly recommend that you take this training in order to become comfortable navigating through MIRCal.
   • HIM and Nursing Credentialed Professionals:
     You may be eligible to receive three (3) FREE Continuing Education Units. Our CBT course is approved by AHIMA and California Board of Registered Nursing. Upon successful completion of the CBT modules, e-mail MIRCal@oshpd.ca.gov with the following information: your full name, credential/license number, and date of CBT completion. Within seven (7) business days, you will receive a certificate for three (3) Continuing Education Units at no cost to you.
3. Get a Username and Password
   • MIRCal requires a unique username and password.
   • MIRCal User Registration Information to find out how you can get access is found on the MIRCal Forms page.
4. Have your report period data ready and available to submit.
5. Make sure your file is in .txt or .zip format.
   
   • No other format will be accepted by MIRCal.
6. Make sure your data is in one file.
   
   • MIRCal will not allow you to submit multiple files.
7. Verify that your data meets the required file specifications
   • For ED & AS reporting, review Appendix C, of the California ED & AS Data Reporting Manual.
   • For IP reporting, review Appendix C, of the California Inpatient Data Reporting Manual.
8. Before submitting your file, know the number of records for the report period.
   • You will be required to enter the number of records that you are submitting for the report period.
     If you do not know the number of records that you're submitting, you should contact your IT department to obtain that number.
9. Patient Data Reporting Checklist: A quick reference for new facilities.
   
10. Please select one of the links below for more detailed information.
    • Hospital (Inpatient Discharges Only)
    • Emergency Department
    • Ambulatory Surgery