The QDM is a conceptual data model that helps measure developers and implementers understand the general concepts needed to compute a quality measure. However, QDM only defines the concepts, such as a diagnosis, a laboratory test (with a result), or a physical examination finding (such as blood pressure readings). A method to relate each concept to other concepts requires an expression language. As an example, the QDM data element is similar to a noun in expressing grammar (e.g., a laboratory test) and related adjectives (the time the lab performed the laboratory test). But to create a sentence, one must have verbs (e.g., starts) and adverbs (after the beginning of). The expression language provides the verbs and adverbs. Prior versions of QDM (v.4.3 and earlier) included the expression language and the conceptual data model. The expression language portion of QDM was difficult to understand and more challenging to compute. CQL allows measure developers to better express the measure calculation. CQL can express that some specific activity happened during an inpatient encounter and that it happened before another activity. However, CQL needs a data model to indicate what is related to what.
In the HL7 community, the Clinical Quality Improvement and CDS Work Groups harmonized efforts to express quality measures (QDM) and CDS artifacts (virtual medical record). The result is an HL7 FHIR IG, QI-Core, which includes a detailed mapping of QDM concepts. QI-Core-related tooling allows measure developers to use it directly to author eCQM in FHIR. QI-Core specifically builds directly on each FHIR version to assure consistency of measure expressions and the evolving method for data interchange and interoperability. The eCQI Resource Center includes further information about FHIR and transition efforts.