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"Communication, Performed"

Performance/Reporting Period
2023
QDM Datatype (QDM Version 5.6):

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype reference conveyance of information from one entity (e.g., person, organization, or device) to another.

The "Communication, Performed" code attribute represents the reason for the communication (i.e., the subject). The category attribute allows reference to the type, or category, of communication (e.g., notification, request). In many cases, the eCQM developer may not know the local workflow to address the type of communication; hence, it is listed as an attribute to be used as feasibility allows.

Timing:

  • sent dateTime - when the communication was sent.
  • received dateTime - when the communication was received.

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 Category

Communication

Communication represents the transmission, receipt, or acknowledgement of information sent from a source to a recipient, such as from one clinician to another, regarding findings, assessments, plans of care, consultative advice, instructions, and educational resources. The HL7 FHIR 4.0 resource Communication defines communication as a conveyance of information from one entity, a sender, to another entity, a receiver. The senders and receivers may be Patients, Practitioners, Care Partners, Organizations, or devices. Established FHIR resources include:

  • A reminder or alert delivered to a responsible provider
  • A recorded notification from the nurse that a patient's temperature exceeds a value
  • A notification to a public health agency of a patient presenting with a communicable disease reportable to the public health agency
  • Patient educational material sent by a provider to a patient
  • Non-patient specific communication use cases may include:
    • A nurse call from a hall bathroom
    • Advisory for battery service from a pump

Generally, direct patient counseling, training, or education represents an intervention (Section 4.1.14) or procedure (Section 4.1.19). A time and a date stamp are required.

Note that measure developers need to test measures that use "Communication, Performed" to determine if the sender and recipient attribute information are available. Confirmation regarding receipt of communications requires interoperability.

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.

category

The type of message conveyed by a communication (e.g., notification, alert, reminder, instruction).

medium

A channel used for a communication (e.g., fax, email)

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.

For updated guidance and implementer feedback regarding use of the QDM negation rationale attribute see Section 6.6.

receivedDateTime

The time a communication was received.

recipient

The thing (e.g., person, organization, clinical information system, or device) which is the target of a communication.

The recipient attribute references the QDM entities (Patient, Care Partner, Practitioner, Organization, or Location) and any or all of the attributes of the respective QDM entity.

relatedTo

An attribute that indicates one QDM data element fulfills the expectations of another QDM data element.

See Section 5.8 for examples for using relatedTo.

Note: QDM 5.6 relatedTo attribute is consistent with the FHIR element basedOn which is available for many FHIR resources addressed by the QDM datatypes added in the QDM 5.6 version. These QDM additions allow evaluation and testing during a period of FHIR transition specifically to relate actions with orders that generate them. However, measure developers should carefully determine feasibility for each use case when using the relatedTo attribute.

sender

The thing (e.g., person, organization, clinical information system, or device) that is the source of a communication.

The sender attribute references the new QDM entities (Patient, Care Partner, Practitioner, Organization, or Location) and any or all of the attributes of the respective QDM entity.

sentDateTime

The time a communication was sent.
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2024