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Observation Definition

Definition An observation definition in MANSOQ is a reusable template for one laboratory test or clinical test. The template records what the test measures and the type of value that a result holds. It also records the rules that MANSOQ uses to…

3.1 · versioned documentation · 4 min read

Definition

An observation definition in MANSOQ is a reusable template for one laboratory test or clinical test. The template records what the test measures and the type of value that a result holds. It also records the rules that MANSOQ uses to flag a result as normal or abnormal. Your facility creates each observation definition one time. Staff then use the template for every result of that test.

Key Attributes

Components What it captures
Title The name of the test that staff see in MANSOQ. This attribute is required.
Slug A short unique name for the test. MANSOQ builds the slug from the title, and you can change it. This attribute is required.
Description A short explanation of what the test measures. This attribute is required.
Status The stage of the template, from first draft to retirement. This attribute is required. MANSOQ selects Active for a new template.
Category The type of service that the test belongs to, such as Laboratory or Vital Signs. This attribute is required.
LOINC Code The standard LOINC code of the test. This attribute is required.
Data Type The kind of value that a result holds, for example a number or a yes or no answer. This attribute is required.
Unit The unit of measure for the result, for example millimoles per litre. This attribute is optional.
Body Site The part of the body that the test examines. This attribute is optional.
Method The technique that staff use to do the test. This attribute is optional.
Components The separate parts of a test that gives more than one value. This attribute is optional.
Observation Interpretation The rules that MANSOQ uses to flag each result. This attribute is optional.

Category

An observation definition has one category. MANSOQ has these categories:

Data Type

The data type sets the kind of value that staff can record. MANSOQ has these data types:

Components

Some tests give more than one value. Blood pressure is an example, because it gives a systolic value and a diastolic value. For a test of this type, add one component for each value. Each component has its own code, data type, unit, and interpretation rules.

Observation Interpretation

Observation Interpretation holds the qualified ranges of the test. Each rule has a title, conditions, value ranges, and an optional fallback. MANSOQ checks the rules in the order that you add them. MANSOQ skips a rule when the conditions do not match the patient or the encounter.

For a rule that matches, MANSOQ flags the result with the interpretation of the range that holds the value. If no range holds the value, MANSOQ uses the fallback of that rule. If that rule has no fallback, MANSOQ checks the next rule. For more detail, see Set up qualified ranges.

Note: You can add interpretation rules to the observation definition, or to its components. You cannot add rules to both.

Scope

An observation definition can belong to one facility. Staff at that facility can then use the template. A MANSOQ superuser can also share an observation definition with every facility.

Status

Status Description
Draft You still prepare the template.
Active Staff can use the template for results.
Retired The template is out of use. MANSOQ keeps it for the results that already use it.
Unknown The stage of the template is not known.

Related

Source evidence

References are pinned to the private MANSOQ source repository. Repository access is required to open these links.