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Continuous Variable Measures (HAP/CAH)
Joint Commission Guide for Data Entry of Chart-Abstracted Measures for Hospitals (HAP/CAH)
- Version 2023: Discharges 01-01-23 (1Q2023) through 12-31-23 (4Q2023)
- Version 2024: Discharges 01-01-24 (1Q2024) through 12-31-24 (4Q2024); March 2024
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Continuous variable measures are measures in which the value of each measurement can fall anywhere along a continuous scale (e.g., the time [in minutes] from hospital arrival to administration of thrombolysis).
The following aggregate data elements are required to be entered for continuous variable measures:
Maximum Observation
Name: | Maximum Observation |
Aggregated For: | Continuous variable measures |
Definition: | The measure's largest observed value for those cases represented in the data element Population for the month. The observed value is the Measurement Value that is calculated for each case as it is processed through the algorithm and received a measure category assignment = ‘D’ for the measure or stratum |
Allowable Values: | 0 through 10,000,000 .000 (calculate to 4 decimals and round to 3 decimals where 5 rounds up) |
Edits: |
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Name: | |
Aggregated For: | Continuous variable measures |
Definition: | The measure's average observed value for those cases represented in the data element Population for the month. The observed value is the Measurement Value that is calculated for each case as it is processed through the algorithm and received a measure category assignment = ‘D’ for the measure or strata. Mean Observation is the measure’s average Measurement Value for the hospital during the month. This is calculated by: (Sum the Measurement Values for all cases within the hospital) divided by the Population count previously derived (count of those cases which receive a measure category assignment = 'D') for the measure or stratum. where m = the Population count for the measure or stratum |
Allowable Values: | 0 through 10,000,000 .000 (calculate to 4 decimals and round to 3 decimals where 5 rounds up) |
Edits: |
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Name: | |
Aggregated For: | Continuous variable measures |
Definition: | The measure's midpoint observed value for those cases represented in the data element Population for the month. The observed value is the Measurement Value that is calculated for each case as it is processed through the algorithm and received a measure category assignment = ‘D’ for the measure or stratum. To determine the Median, sort the case-level cases by their observed values from the highest value to lowest value: If the total number of Population cases is odd then Median Observation = the value associated to the middle case ELSE If the total number of Population cases is even then Median Observation = the average of the values of the two middle cases NOTE: The calculated Median Observation does not have to be an observed value of the data. |
Allowable Values: | 0 through 10,000,000.000 (calculate to 4 decimals and round to 3 decimals where 5 rounds up) |
Edits: |
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Name: | |
Aggregated For: | Continuous variable measures |
Definition: | The measure's smallest observed value from among all observed values for those cases represented in the data element Population for the month. The observed value is the Measurement Value that is calculated for each case as it is processed through the algorithm and received a measure category assignment = ‘D’ for the measure or stratum. |
Allowable Values: | 0 through 10,000,000 .000 (calculate to 4 decimals and round to 3 decimals where 5 rounds up) |
Edits: |
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Name: | |
Aggregated For: | Continuous variable measures |
Definition: | The total number of cases that are members of a measure's population for the hospital during the specified time period. This is the count of all patient-level records with a Category Assignment = ‘D’ for the measure or strata. Aggregate all case-level records that are members of a measure's population. Do not eliminate or suppress outliers. Note: Cases with a Category Assignment of ‘Y’ should not be included in the Population count. These cases are missing data that prevents the calculation of the measure’s Measurement Value. To calculate the Mean Observation and Standard Deviation of the Observation, the Population count must only include those cases for which the Measurement Value was calculated. For this reason, the Population count must only include those cases with a Category Assignment of ‘D'. |
Allowable Values: | 0 through 10,000,000 (whole numbers only) Note: Hospitals entering a zero for this data element will be required to attest that they have no cases in the denominator cases (i.e., ‘zero denominator’) for the measure for the month. Hospitals with denominator cases are expected to enter the appropriate value for each measure or strata. |
Edits: |
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Name: | |
Aggregated For: | Continuous variable measures |
Definition: | The standard deviation of the observed value for those cases represented in the data element Population for the month. The observed value is the Measurement Value that is calculated for each case as it is processed through the algorithm and received a measure category assignment = ‘D’ for the measure or strata. Standard Deviation of the Observation = Square root of the [sum of the (Measurement Value for all cases minus (-) Mean Observation )2 divided by (Population count - 1)], where the Mean Observation (Mean time in minutes) and Population count were previously derived. where m = the Population count for the measure or strata |
Allowable Values: | 0 through 10,000,000 .000 (calculate to 4 decimals and round to 3 decimals where 5 rounds up) |
Edits: |
Note: When Population = 1, the Standard Deviation cannot be calculated because a ‘divide by zero’ error will occur in the equation. In this case, no value will be entered into the field. |
Continue to the next section: Section 3: Measure Exclusions
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