Release 4 FHIR CI-Build

This page is part of the Continuous Integration Build of FHIR Specification (v4.0.1: R4 - Mixed Normative and STU ) in it's permanent home (it will always (will be available incorrect/inconsistent at this URL). The current version which supercedes this version is 5.0.0 . For a full list of available versions, see times).
See the Directory of published versions icon . Page versions: R5 R4B R4 R3 R2

Using Codes Code Systems Value Sets Concept Maps Identifier Systems

4.4.1.186 4.4.1.211 Value Set ValueSet http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/observation-category

  Maturity Level : 1
Responsible Owner: Orders and Observations icon Work Group Draft Normative Use Context : Any Country: World
This is a value set defined by the FHIR project. Summary Committee:
Official URL : Title: http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/observation-category Observation Category Codes Definition: Observation Category codes. Version : 6.0.0-ballot3
active as of 2025-11-13 Orders and Observations Computable Name : ObservationCategoryCodes Work Group
OID: Flags : 2.16.840.1.113883.4.642.3.403 (for OID based terminology systems) Source Resource XML / JSON : 2.16.840.1.113883.4.642.3.403

This value set is used in the following places:

(CodeableConcept / Preferred

4.4.1.211.1 Definition )

Observation Category codes.

4.4.1.186.1 4.4.1.211.2 Content Logical Definition

This value set includes codes from the following code systems:

Generated Narrative: ValueSet observation-category

Last updated: 2025-11-13T11:10:33.286Z

 

4.4.1.186.2 4.4.1.211.3 Expansion

This expansion generated 01 13 Nov 2019 2025

ValueSet This value set contains 9 concepts

Expansion performed internally based on http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category version 4.0.1 All codes from system http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category codesystem Observation Category Codes v1.0.1 (CodeSystem) icon

This value set contains 9 concepts

System Code Display Definition
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    social-history icon Social History Social History Observations define the patient's occupational, personal (e.g., lifestyle), social, familial, and environmental history and health risk factors that may impact the patient's health.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    vital-signs icon Vital Signs Clinical observations measure the body's basic functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, height, weight, body mass index, head circumference, pulse oximetry, temperature, and body surface area.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    imaging icon Imaging Observations generated by imaging. The scope includes observations regarding plain x-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, angiography, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    laboratory icon Laboratory The results of observations generated by laboratories. Laboratory results are typically generated by laboratories providing analytic services in areas such as chemistry, hematology, serology, histology, cytology, anatomic pathology (including digital pathology), microbiology, and/or virology. These observations are based on analysis of specimens obtained from the patient and submitted to the laboratory.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    procedure icon Procedure Observations generated by other procedures. This category includes observations resulting from interventional and non-interventional procedures excluding laboratory and imaging (e.g., cardiology catheterization, endoscopy, electrodiagnostics, etc.). Procedure results are typically generated by a clinician to provide more granular information about component observations made during a procedure. An example would be when a gastroenterologist reports the size of a polyp observed during a colonoscopy.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    survey icon Survey Assessment tool/survey instrument observations (e.g., Apgar Scores, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)).
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    exam icon Exam Observations generated by physical exam findings including direct observations made by a clinician and use of simple instruments and the result of simple maneuvers performed directly on the patient's body.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    therapy icon Therapy Observations generated by non-interventional treatment protocols (e.g. occupational, physical, radiation, nutritional and medication therapy)
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/observation-category    activity icon Activity Observations that measure or record any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. Not under direct supervision of practitioner such as a physical therapist. (e.g., laps swum, steps, sleep data)

 

See the full registry of value sets defined as part of FHIR.

Explanation of the columns that may appear on this page:

Lvl A few code lists that FHIR defines are hierarchical - each code is assigned a level. For value sets, levels are mostly used to organize codes for user convenience, but may follow code system hierarchy - see Code System for further information
Source The source of the definition of the code (when the value set draws in codes defined elsewhere)
Code The code (used as the code in the resource instance). If the code is in italics, this indicates that the code is not selectable ('Abstract')
Display The display (used in the display element of a Coding ). If there is no display, implementers should not simply display the code, but map the concept into their application
Definition An explanation of the meaning of the concept
Comments Additional notes about how to use the code