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ObservationInterpretation     

One or more codes specifying a rough qualitative interpretation of the observation, such as "normal", "abnormal", "below normal", "change up", "resistant", "susceptible", etc.

Discussion: These interpretation codes are sometimes called "abnormal flags", however, the judgment of normalcy is just one of the common rough interpretations, and is often not relevant. For example, the susceptibility interpretations are not about "normalcy", and for any observation of a pathologic condition, it does not make sense to state the normalcy, since pathologic conditions are never considered "normal."

Lvl Type, Domain name and/or Mnemonic code Concept ID Mnemonic Print Name Definition/Description
1 A: ObservationInterpretationChange A10214

Change of quantity and/or severity. At most one of B or W and one of U or D allowed.

2   L:  (B) C10215 B better

Better (of severity or nominal observations)

2   L:  (D) C10218 D decreased

Significant change down (quantitative observations, does not imply B or W)

2   L:  (U) C10217 U increased

Significant change up (quantitative observations, does not imply B or W)

2   L:  (W) C10216 W worse

Worse (of severity or nominal observations)

1 A: ObservationInterpretationExceptions A10225

Technical exceptions. At most one allowed. Does not imply normality or severity.

2   L:  (>) C10227 > high off scale

Above absolute high-off instrument scale. This is statement depending on the instrument, logically does not imply LL or L (e.g., if the instrument is inadequate). If an off-scale value is also high or critically high one must also report H and HH respectively.

2   L:  (<) C10226 < low off scale

Below absolute low-off instrument scale. This is statement depending on the instrument, logically does not imply LL or L (e.g., if the instrument is inadequate). If an off-scale value is also low or critically low one must also report L and LL respectively.

1 A: ObservationInterpretationNormality A10206

Normality, Abnormality, Alert. Concepts in this category are mutually exclusive, i.e., at most one is allowed.

2   L:  (N) C10207 N Normal

Normal (for all service types)

2   S: ObservationInterpretationNormalityAbnormal (A) S10208 A Abnormal

Abnormal (for nominal observations, all service types)

3     S: ObservationInterpretationNormalityAlert (AA) S10211 AA Abnormal alert

Abnormal alert (for nominal observations and all service types)

4       L:  (HH) C10213 HH High alert

Above upper alert threshold (for quantitative observations)

4       L:  (LL) C10212 LL Low alert

Below lower alert threshold (for quantitative observations)

3     S: ObservationInterpretationNormalityHigh (H) S10210 H High

Above high normal (for quantitative observations)

4       L:  (HH) C10213 HH High alert

Above upper alert threshold (for quantitative observations)

3     S: ObservationInterpretationNormalityLow (L) S10209 L Low

Below low normal (for quantitative observations)

4       L:  (LL) C10212 LL Low alert

Below lower alert threshold (for quantitative observations)

1 A: ObservationInterpretationProtocolInclusion A19759
2   S: ObservationInterpretationOustsideThreshold (EX) S21634 EX outside threshold

Definition:The observation/test result is interpreted as being outside the inclusion range for a particular protocol within which the result is being reported.

Example:A positive result on a Hepatitis screening test.

3     L:  (HX) C21636 HX above high threshold

Definition:The numeric observation/test result is interpreted as being above the high threshold value for a particular protocol within which the result is being reported.

Example:An ALT (SGOT) result above a protocol-defined threshold value of 2.5 times the upper limit of normal based on the subject's sex and age.

3     L:  (LX) C21635 LX below low threshold

Definition:The numeric observation/test result is interpreted as being below the low threshold value for a particular protocol within which the result is being reported.

Example:A Total White Blood Cell Count falling below a protocol-defined threshold value of 3000/mm^3

1 A: ObservationInterpretationSusceptibility A10219

Microbiology: interpretations of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. At most one allowed.

2   L:  (I) C10221 I intermediate

Intermediate

2   L:  (MS) C10222 MS moderately susceptible

Moderately susceptible

2   L:  (R) C10220 R resistent

Resistent

2   L:  (S) C10223 S susceptible

Susceptible

2   L:  (VS) C10224 VS very susceptible

Very susceptible


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