Quality Data Model (QDM) data element

A Quality Data Model (QDM) data element encapsulates a certain category with an associated datatype. It is a discrete unit of information used in quality measurement to describe part of the clinical care process, including a clinical entity and its context of use. It can include criteria for any relevant metadata about a clinical or administrative concept relevant to quality measurement. A QDM data element provides an unambiguous definition and enables consistent capture and use of data for quality measurement. The measure developer may define for any given measure and reuse when they require the same information for another measure. Reuse encourages standardization of quality measures and reduces the generation of additional software requirements for every new measure.