Submitted by nedragarrett_CDC on 2023-09-15
CDC's Consolidated Comment for USCDI v5
- “Directions for administering or taking a medication. Examples include but are not limited to prescription directions for taking a medication, and package instructions for over-the-counter medications. Usage notes: May include route, quantity, timing/frequency, and special instructions (PRN, sliding scale, taper).”
- As a new addition in USCDI v4 Standards, the data element “Medication Instructions” includes information on prescription medication route, quantity dispensed, timing/frequency and instructions on use, e.g. PRN, in a single field. This information is essential for a more complete understanding of the medication usage; information on the dose, alone, does not fully quantify the amount or duration of use of the medication. However, unstandardized text in a combined field will have limited utility as the content and format may vary by data source and each piece of information will be difficult and resource-intensive to extract. CDC suggests standardized, separate variables for route of administration, quantity (or, alternatively, days’ supply), frequency, and unit of frequency, in addition to a text field with special instructions.
NACCHO Comment: Support - Separate elements will ensure that LHDs receive coded values, rather than combined text. This will reduce the burden of data preparation on LHDs.
Submitted by kelly.clarke@j… on 2023-09-20
Comment
Highly support and agree with the addition of this new data element. This will ensure patient safety during medication administration and when exchanging information, the receiver will have full image of medication.