Developing a Standards-Based Information Model for Representing Computable Diagnostic Criteria: A Feasibility Study of the NQF Quality Data Model.

The lack of a standards-based information model has been recognized as a major barrier for representing computable diagnostic criteria. In this paper we describe our efforts in examining the feasibility of the Quality Data Model (QDM)-developed by the National Quality Forum (NQF)-for representing computable diagnostic criteria. We collected the diagnostic criteria for a number of diseases and disorders (n=12) from textbooks and profiled the data elements of the criteria using the QDM data elements. We identified a number of common patterns informed by the QDM. In conclusion, the common patterns informed by the QDM are useful and feasible in building a standards-based information model for computable diagnostic criteria.