"Some observations have multiple component observations. These component observations are expressed as separate code value pairs that share the same attributes. Examples include systolic and diastolic component observations for blood pressure measurement and multiple component observations for genetics observations." - HL7 FHIR, Observation.component

This class represents an assessment of the value or result of the Clinical Observation or Laboratory Test. For example, a blood pressure measurement of an adult at rest with a value of 147/94 mmHg would be considered abnormally high (i.e., falls within the definition of high blood pressure). For chemistry tests, provides an indication of the result (usually automated), based upon "normal" values as indicated by the reference range. Examples include High, Low, Critically High, Critically Low, etc. For antibiotic sensitivity tests, provides an indication of the susceptibility of the identified organism to the test antibiotic. Possible values include: Intermediate, Moderately Susceptible, Resistant, Susceptible. In addition, Not Tested may occasionally used when an antibiotic that would commonly be tested was not for some reason. "One or more codes specifying a categorical assessment of the observation value, such as "Normal", "Abnormal", "Positive", "Negative", "Resistant", "Susceptible", etc...." - HL7 Version 2.8, OBX-8 "A clinical judgment concerning the significance or impact of the finding with respect to its subject (e.g., the patient)." - HL7 CIMI, FindingTopic.interpretation "The assessment made based on the result of the observation. Intended as a simple compact code often placed adjacent to the result value in reports and flow sheets to signal the meaning/normalcy status of the result. Otherwise known as abnormal flag." - HL7 FHIR, Observation.interpretation

This class is a PLACEHOLDER for some kind of panel of related observations. A requirement is known to exist to handle groups of observations that were not necessarily taken at the same time by the same clinician. For example, blood pressure measurements every 10 minutes during a dialysis session. This kind of measurement is sometimes called a battery.

An event in which a Clinical Observation is recorded. "Measurements and simple assertions made about a patient, device or other subject." - HL7 FHIR, Observation resource.

Indicates the criteron by which the reference range is valid. Different reference ranges may be defined based on the subject's age, race, sex, etc. "When the observation quantifies the amount of a toxic substance, then the upper limit of the range identifies the toxic limit. If the observation quantifies a drug, the lower limits identify the lower therapeutic bounds and the upper limits represent the upper therapeutic bounds above which toxic side effects are common." - HL7 Version 2.8, OBX-7 "Guidance on how to interpret the value by comparison to a normal or recommended range." - HL7 FHIR, Observation.referenceRange