Physiologic measurements of a patient that indicate the status of the body’s life sustaining functions.

Data Element

Pain Severity
Description

This element is used to describe how intense or severe the sensation of pain is on a 1-10 scale.

Comment

Pain concepts should not be brought forward as a vital sign

Please see: https://jira.hl7.org/browse/CDA-20320

Pain is a subjective symptom. Vital signs are objective measures

Due to the Opioid epidemic there are concerns and mandates from many medical associations against considering pain a vital sign. 

Pain as a vital sign was lobbied by the pharma companies to increase the market for their products

For example:

Pain should NOT be brought forward as a vital sign as a USCDI Data element

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