Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document the Condition/Diagnosis/Problem and its corresponding value set. The onset dateTime corresponds to the implicit start dateTime of the datatype and the abatement dateTime corresponds to the implicit stop dateTime of the datatype. If the abatement dateTime is not present, then the diagnosis is considered to still be active. When this datatype is used with timing relationships, the criterion is looking for an active diagnosis for the time frame indicated by the timing relationships.

Timing: The prevalencePeriod references the time from the onset date to the abatement date.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document a request by a clinician or appropriately licensed care provider to an appropriate provider or organization to perform the diagnostic study indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set. The request may be in the form of a consultation or a direct order to the organization that performs the diagnostic study. Diagnostic studies are those that are not performed in the clinical laboratory. Such studies include, but are not limited to, imaging studies, cardiology studies (electrocardiogram, treadmill stress testing), pulmonary function testing, and vascular laboratory testing.

Timing: The time the order is signed; author dateTime.

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.

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.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document that the encounter indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set is in progress or has been completed.

The "Encounter, Performed" participant references the primary participant.

Previous versions of QDM included an attribute principal diagnosis, defined as the condition that, after study, was determined to be the principal cause of the admission. QDM version 5.6 addresses that concept using the diagnosis rank=1.

Timing:

• The relevantPeriod addresses:
  • startTime - The time the encounter began (admission time).
  • stopTime - The time the encounter ended (discharge time).
• author dateTime references the time the action was recorded.
• Refer to the eCQM expression to determine allowable timings to meet measure criteria.

Notes:

• 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.
• The locationPeriod is an attribute of the attribute facility location that addresses:
  • startTime - the time the patient arrived at the location. The time the encounter began (admission time).
  • stopTime - the time the patient departed from the location.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document that the medication indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set is being taken by the patient. Keep in mind that when this datatype is used with timing relationships, the criterion is looking for a medication being taken for the time frame indicated by the timing relationships.

Timing:

• relevant dateTime references the time the medication is active on the medication record if it was given or taken at a single point in time.
• relevantPeriod references a start and stop time for an active medication on the medication record that is given or taken over a time interval:
• The relevantPeriod addresses:
  • startTime = when the medication is first known to be used (generally the time of entry on the medication list).
  • stopTime = when the medication is no longer active.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document a request to a pharmacy to provide the medication indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set.

Timing:

• relevantPeriod addresses the time referenced in the dosage instruction indicating when the medication administration should start and end.
• author dateTime references the date and time the medication order (prescription) is authored.

Notes:

• The medication order (prescription) is unlikely to indicate a relevantPeriod, the time period for which the ordered supply is to be administered/taken including all refills. Therefore, to determine the number of days covered by a single dispensing event, use the daysSupplied attribute and the relevant dateTime of the event to determine when the ordered medication will run out. If daysSupplied is not available, derive it from the supply (quantity of medication ordered) divided by the dosage (amount of medication to be taken at a single administration) times the frequency (number of units per time period – e.g., per day):
  daysSupplied = supply / (dosage x frequency)
  And multiply the daysSupplied per dispensing event multiplied by one plus the number of refills to determine the total daysSupplied ordered.
  daysSupplied x (1 + #refills)
  Starting with the relevant dateTime add the total daysSupplied (including refills) to determine when the ordered medication quantity will run out.
• 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.

Refer to Special Cases in Section 4.1.16 for scenarios to consider in calculating cumulative medication duration.

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.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document that the patient has one or more of the ethnicities indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set.

Timing: Ethnicity does not have a specific timing. Measures using "Patient Characteristic, Ethnicity" should address the most recent entry in the clinical record.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document that the patient has one or more of the payers indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set.

Timing:

The relevantPeriod addresses:

• startTime – the first day of insurance coverage with the referenced payer.
• stopTime – the last day of insurance coverage with the referenced payer.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document the patient’s race.

Timing: Race does not have a specific timing. Measures using "Patient Characteristic, Race" should address the most recent entry in the clinical record.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document that the patient's sex matches the QDM category and its corresponding value set.

Timing: Birth (administrative) sex does not have a specific timing.

Data elements that meet criteria using this datatype should document a request for the procedure indicated by the QDM category and its corresponding value set.

Timing: The time the order is signed; author dateTime.

Notes: 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.