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"Diagnostic Study, Performed"

Performance/Reporting Period
2022
QDM Datatype (QDM Version 5.5 Guidance Update):

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document the completion of the diagnostic study indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set.

Timing:

  • relevant dateTime references the time the diagnostic study is performed if it occurs at a single point in time.
  • relevantPeriod references a start and stop time for an assessment that occurs over a time interval:
    • startTime - when the diagnostic study is initiated.
    • stopTime - when the diagnostic study is completed.
  • author dateTime references the time the action was recorded.
  • Refer to the eCQM expression to determine allowable timings to meet measure criterion.

Examples using relevantPeriod:

  • Initiation of a treadmill stress test to the time the treadmill stress test has completed
  • Initiation of the ultrasound study until completion of the ultrasound study

Note: negation rationale indicates a one-time documentation of a reason an activity is not performed. Negation of QDM datatype-related actions for a reason always use the author dateTime attribute to reference timing and must not use relevantPeriod.

 

QDM Datatype and Definition

Diagnostic Study

Diagnostic Study represents any kind of medical test performed as a specific test or series of steps to aid in diagnosing or detecting disease (e.g., to establish a diagnosis, measure the progress or recovery from disease, confirm that a person is free from disease). The QDM defines diagnostic studies as those that are not performed in organizations that perform testing on samples of human blood, tissue, or other substance from the body. Diagnostic studies may make use of digital images and textual reports. Such studies include, but are not limited to, imaging studies, cardiology studies (electrocardiogram, treadmill stress testing), pulmonary function testing, and vascular laboratory testing.
QDM Attributes

authorDateTime

The time the data element was entered into the clinical software. Note, some datatypes include both relevant dateTime and author dateTime attributes. When both are present, author dateTime is included to accommodate negation rationale.

The author dateTime addresses when an activity is documented. Documentation can occur at the beginning, during, at the end, or subsequent to the end of the activity. The author dateTime should be used only if the relevantPeriod cannot be obtained or to represent the time negation rationale is documented.

Note: negation rationale indicates a one-time documentation of a reason an activity is not performed. Negation of QDM datatype related actions for a reason always use the author dateTime attribute to reference timing and must not use relevantPeriod.

components

Elements included or documented as part of evaluations or test panels.
  • Examples include: specific questions included in assesments, tests included in a laboratory test panel, observations included in a cardiac exam during a physical examination. Each assessment, diagnostic study, laboratory test, physical exam, or procedure may have one or more components.
components also reference specific details about an encounter diagnosis.
  • Examples include an "Encounter, Performed" diagnosis that is also present on admission and refers to the principal diagnosis (rank = 1)

facilityLocation

The particular locations in a facility in which the diagnostic study or encounter occurs or occurred. Examples include intensive care units (ICUs), nonICUs, burn critical care unit, neonatal ICU, and respiratory care unit. Each "Encounter, Performed" may have one or more locations. For example, a patient treated in multiple locations during an individual encounter might be expressed as:
  • "Encounter, Performed": Inpatient Admission, facility locations
    • ICU (locationPeriod)
    • Non-ICU Admission (locationPeriod)
    • Rehab (locationPeriod)

method

Indicates the procedure or technique used in its performance.

negationRationale

Indicates the reason that an action was not performed. Only QDM datatypes that represent actions (e.g., performed, recommended, communication, order, dispensed) allow the negation rationale attribute. The intent is to indicate a justification that such action did not happen as expected. This attribute specifically does not address the presence or absence of information in a clinical record (e.g., documented absence of allergies versus lack of documentation about allergies). QDM assumes a world view that absence of evidence indicates information does not exist or an action did not happen. To express such lack of evidence, an eCQM author should use the CQL expression not exists with reference to the data element rather than the QDM data model. negation rationale in QDM signifies only a reason for such absence, i.e., the reason must be present to qualify for negation rationale. The syntax in the human readable HQMF is addressed in CQL examples and in the MAT User Guide. Prior versions of QDM used the syntax, "Procedure, Performed not done." QDM versions starting with 5.3 use the syntax, "Procedure, not Performed." Section A-5 provides examples for expressing negation rationale in CQL.

Note: negation rationale indicates a one-time documentation of a reason an activity is not performed. Negation of QDM datatype-related actions for a reason always use the author dateTime attribute to reference timing and must not use relevantPeriod.

performer

The performer is the person or organization that is responsible for the action (e.g., the individual or organization carrying out the activity). The performer references a QDM entity and any or all of the attributes of the selected QDM entity. For example, to reference that a physician who performed a procedure is the same person who was the primary participant in an Encounter and assure the physician's specialty meets the measure's requirements, the eCQM can reference the Practitioner entity and its attributes. Should the eCQM choose to reference a physician practice or a hospital, the performer can reference the Organization entity and indicate the identifier and/or the organization type.

reason

The thought process or justification for the datatype. In some measures, specific treatments are acceptable inclusion criteria only if a justified reason is present. Each of these measures uses a value set (often, but not exclusively, using SNOMED CT) to express acceptable justification reasons. Other measures specify reasons as justification for exclusions. Examples include patient, system, or medical-related reasons for declining to perform specific actions. Each of these measures also uses a value set to express acceptable justification reasons for declining to perform expected actions.

relevantDateTime

Relevant dateTime addresses the time an activity occurs as a single point in time. If the activity occurs over a period of time, use Relevant Period.

relevantPeriod

Relevant Period addresses the time between the start of an action to the end of an action. Each datatype using relevant period defines specific definitions for the start and stop time for the action listed.

Note: negation rationale indicates a one-time documentation of a reason an activity is not performed. Negation of QDM datatyperelated actions for a reason always use the author dateTime attribute to reference timing and must not use relevantPeriod

result

The final consequences or data collected from the datatype. results can be used in four ways to express:

  • That a result is present in the electronic record but any entry is acceptable
  • A numerical result is reported directly as a value. Values may be integers or decimal numbers without units, or as a quantity with a value and units - examples:
    • 100mg/dL for a lab test
    • 140 mmHg for blood pressure
    • as a percentage (actually as a quantity with % as units)
    • as a titer or ratio (e.g., 1:4, 1:80)
  • A result that matches one of a specific set of coded concepts in a value set or a code that matches a direct reference code
  • A result as a dateTime ("Assessment, Performed" and components)

resultDateTime

The date and time this version of the observation was made available to providers, typically after the results have been reviewed and verified.

In the original QDM 5.5 publication, result dateTime stated: the time the result report is generated and saved in the database.

status

Indicates the particular stage of the action represented by the datatype.
Last Updated: Jul 08, 2021