6.5.2.3 ObservationMethod
6.5.2.3.1 Purpose¶
A versioned analytical, measurement or computation protocol. It describes how a value was produced, not how it was transmitted or typed in.
6.5.2.3.2 Questions it answers¶
- Which lab or sensor protocol produced a value?
- Were two values produced with the same method?
6.5.2.3.3 Fields¶
| Field | Type | Cardinality | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
id |
string (uuid) |
1..1 |
Key. |
code |
string |
1..1 |
|
name |
string |
1..1 |
|
version |
string |
1..1 |
|
definition |
CodedValue | 1..1 |
|
family |
enum | 1..1 |
Values: laboratory, sensor, direct_observation, computation, other_documented. |
created_at |
datetime |
1..1 |
|
updated_at |
datetime |
1..1 |
6.5.2.3.4 Relationships¶
Referenced by
ObservationContext.method(0..1)
Uses types
6.5.2.3.5 Rules & constraints¶
- Versioned analytical/measurement/computation protocol; not the transport or data-entry channel.
(code, version)is unique. Published definitions are immutable; unknown method is a null reference, not an invented protocol.- Measurement vs estimate is
result_basis; operator transcription is source/channel, not a new laboratory method. - Clinical thresholds and algorithm-specific interpretation belong to versioned rules, not to every observation.