Resource type: observationdefinition

Description

Set of definitional characteristics for a kind of observation or measurement produced or consumed by an orderable health care service.

Elements

PathShortDefinitionComments
Definition of an observationSet of definitional characteristics for a kind of observation or measurement produced or consumed by an orderable health care service.An instance of this resource informs the consumer of a health-related service (such as a lab diagnostic test or panel) about how the observations used or produced by this service will look like.
categoryCategory of observationA code that classifies the general type of observation.This element allows various categorization schemes based on the owner’s definition of the category and effectively multiple categories can be used for one instance of ObservationDefinition. The level of granularity is defined by the category concepts in the value set.
codeType of observation (code / type)Describes what will be observed. Sometimes this is called the observation "name".
identifierBusiness identifier for this ObservationDefinition instanceA unique identifier assigned to this ObservationDefinition artifact.
permittedDataTypeQuantity | CodeableConcept | string | boolean | integer | Range | Ratio | SampledData | time | dateTime | PeriodThe data types allowed for the value element of the instance observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
multipleResultsAllowedMultiple results allowedMultiple results allowed for observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.An example of observation allowing multiple results is "bacteria identified by culture". Conversely, the measurement of a potassium level allows a single result.
methodMethod used to produce the observationThe method or technique used to perform the observation.Only used if not implicit in observation code.
preferredReportNamePreferred report nameThe preferred name to be used when reporting the results of observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
quantitativeDetailsCharacteristics of quantitative resultsCharacteristics for quantitative results of this observation.
quantitativeDetails.idUnique id for inter-element referencingUnique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.
quantitativeDetails.extensionAdditional content defined by implementationsMay be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.
quantitativeDetails.modifierExtensionExtensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognizedMay be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions. Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.
quantitativeDetails.customaryUnitCustomary unit for quantitative resultsCustomary unit used to report quantitative results of observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
quantitativeDetails.unitSI unit for quantitative resultsSI unit used to report quantitative results of observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
quantitativeDetails.conversionFactorSI to Customary unit conversion factorFactor for converting value expressed with SI unit to value expressed with customary unit.
quantitativeDetails.decimalPrecisionDecimal precision of observation quantitative resultsNumber of digits after decimal separator when the results of such observations are of type Quantity.
qualifiedIntervalQualified range for continuous and ordinal observation resultsMultiple ranges of results qualified by different contexts for ordinal or continuous observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
qualifiedInterval.idUnique id for inter-element referencingUnique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.
qualifiedInterval.extensionAdditional content defined by implementationsMay be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.
qualifiedInterval.modifierExtensionExtensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognizedMay be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions. Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.
qualifiedInterval.categoryreference | critical | absoluteThe category of interval of values for continuous or ordinal observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
qualifiedInterval.rangeThe interval itself, for continuous or ordinal observationsThe low and high values determining the interval. There may be only one of the two.
qualifiedInterval.contextRange context qualifierCodes to indicate the health context the range applies to. For example, the normal or therapeutic range.
qualifiedInterval.appliesToTargetted population of the rangeCodes to indicate the target population this reference range applies to.If this element is not present then the global population is assumed.
qualifiedInterval.gendermale | female | other | unknownSex of the population the range applies to.
qualifiedInterval.ageApplicable age range, if relevantThe age at which this reference range is applicable. This is a neonatal age (e.g. number of weeks at term) if the meaning says so.Some analytes vary greatly over age.
qualifiedInterval.gestationalAgeApplicable gestational age range, if relevantThe gestational age to which this reference range is applicable, in the context of pregnancy.
qualifiedInterval.conditionCondition associated with the reference rangeText based condition for which the reference range is valid.
validCodedValueSetValue set of valid coded values for the observations conforming to this ObservationDefinitionThe set of valid coded results for the observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
normalCodedValueSetValue set of normal coded values for the observations conforming to this ObservationDefinitionThe set of normal coded results for the observations conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
abnormalCodedValueSetValue set of abnormal coded values for the observations conforming to this ObservationDefinitionThe set of abnormal coded results for the observation conforming to this ObservationDefinition.
criticalCodedValueSetValue set of critical coded values for the observations conforming to this ObservationDefinitionThe set of critical coded results for the observation conforming to this ObservationDefinition.

Scope and Usage

Note that this content is preliminary has not undergone proper review by the appropriate Workgroups.

An instance of ObservationDefinition represents the definitional aspects of a kind of observation. This resource is used in a catalog of products or services for healthcare. It provides the definition of observations, which are used as input or produced as outcome of these products and services. The focus of the definitional aspects of ObservationDefinition is not on the action of performing observations of that kind. Rather, it is on the outcome of the observations. An instance of ObservationDefinition represents a set of constraints applicable to the value produced by observations of this kind. This set of constraints may have two utilities: 1) It guides the entry of the result of an observation of the kind defined. 2) It helps the consumer of the results of observations of that kind, to interpret properly these results.

For instance, in a catalog of laboratory in vitro diagnostic services, the ObservationDefinition resources describe the observations that should be provided by the orderer alongside with an ordered service (questions asked at order entry or at specimen collection, prior results) as well as the observations that will be reported once the service has been performed.

In a catalog of medications, ObservationDefinition resources can be used to describe observations the result thereof need to be checked against the prescription of a particular medicinal product (therapeutic range, units ...)

In the catalog of tests of an in vitro diagnostic device, ObservationDefinition resources can be used to characterize (absolute range, unit, decimal precision, critical values ...) the observations that will be produced by the IVD tests performed by the device.

ObservationDefinition may be used to characterize observations from any discipline.

Boundaries and Relationships

This resource relates to these other resource:.

  • Resource ObservationDefinition is referenced by resource CatalogEntry. This enables items of catalogs, representing healthcare services or products, to declare the observations, which are consumed or produced by these items.
  • Observation.basedOn references ObservationDefinition resource.


Search Parameters

Extension Definitions

These are extension definitions for this resource defined by the spec