United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI)

The United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) is a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elements for nationwide, interoperable health information exchange. Review the USCDI Fact Sheet to learn more.

A USCDI Data Class is an aggregation of Data Elements by a common theme or use case.

A USCDI Data Element is a piece of data defined in USCDI for access, exchange or use of electronic health information.  

USCDI ONC New Data Element & Class (ONDEC) Submission System

USCDI V1

Please reference the USCDI version 1 document to the left for applicable standards versions associated with USCDI v1.

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Health professional’s conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient.

Information about a person who participates or is expected to participate in the care of a patient.

Narrative patient data relevant to the context identified by note types.

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  • Usage note: Clinical Notes data elements are content exchange standard agnostic. They should not be interpreted or associated with the structured document templates that may share the same name. 

Desired state to be achieved by a patient.

Health related matter that is of interest, importance, or worry to someone who may be the patient, patient’s family or patient’s health care provider.

Record of vaccine administration.

Analysis of clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Condition, diagnosis, or reason for seeking medical attention.

Activity performed for or on a patient as part of the provision of care.

The metadata, or extra information about data, regarding who created the data and when it was created.

Representing a patient’s smoking behavior.

USCDI V2

The USCDI v2 contains data classes and elements from USCDI v1 and new data classes and elements submitted through the ONDEC system. Please reference the USCDI Version 2 document to the left for applicable vocabulary standards versions associated with USCDI v2 and to the ONC Standards Bulletin 21-3 for more information about the process to develop USCDI v2 and future versions.

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Health professional’s conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient.

Information about a person who participates or is expected to participate in the care of a patient.

Narrative patient data relevant to the context identified by note types.

  •  
  • Usage note: Clinical Notes data elements are content exchange standard agnostic. They should not be interpreted or associated with the structured document templates that may share the same name. 

Non-imaging and non-laboratory tests performed that result in structured or unstructured findings specific to the patient to facilitate the diagnosis and management of conditions.

Tests that result in visual images requiring interpretation by a credentialed professional.

Information related to interactions between healthcare providers and a patient.

Desired state to be achieved by a patient.

Health related matter that is of interest, importance, or worry to someone who may be the patient, patient’s family or patient’s health care provider.

Record of vaccine administration.

Analysis of clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Condition, diagnosis, or reason for seeking medical attention.

Activity performed for or on a patient as part of the provision of care.

The metadata, or extra information about data, regarding who created the data and when it was created.

Representing a patient’s smoking behavior.

USCDI V3

USCDI v3 contains data classes and elements from USCDI v2 and new data classes and elements submitted through the ONDEC system. Please reference the USCDI Version 3 document to the left for applicable vocabulary standards versions associated with USCDI v3 and to the ONC Standards Bulletin 22-2 for more information about the process to develop USCDI v3 and future versions.

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Health professional’s conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient.

Information about a person who participates or is expected to participate in the care of a patient.

Narrative patient data relevant to the context identified by note types.

  •  
  • Usage note: Clinical Notes data elements are content exchange standard agnostic. They should not be interpreted or associated with the structured document templates that may share the same name. 

Non-imaging and non-laboratory tests performed that result in structured or unstructured findings specific to the patient to facilitate the diagnosis and management of conditions.

Tests that result in visual images requiring interpretation by a credentialed professional.

Information related to interactions between healthcare providers and a patient.

Desired state to be achieved by a patient.

Assessments of a health-related matter of interest, importance, or worry to a patient, patient’s family, or patient’s healthcare provider that could identify a need, problem, or condition.

Record of vaccine administration.

Analysis of clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Condition, diagnosis, or reason for seeking medical attention.

Activity performed for or on a patient as part of the provision of care.

The metadata, or extra information about data, regarding who created the data and when it was created.

USCDI V4

USCDI v4 added 20 data elements and one data class to USCDI v3. Please reference the USCDI v4 standard document and the ONC Standards Bulletin 23-2 for details. To review the prioritization criteria ONC used to select the USCDI v4 data elements, refer to the ONC Standards Bulletin 22-2.

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Information about a person who participates or is expected to participate in the care of a patient.

Narrative patient data relevant to the context identified by note types.

  •  
  • Usage note: Clinical Notes data elements are content exchange standard agnostic. They should not be interpreted or associated with the structured document templates that may share the same name. 

Non-imaging and non-laboratory tests performed that result in structured or unstructured findings specific to the patient to facilitate the diagnosis and management of conditions.

Tests that result in visual images requiring interpretation by a credentialed professional.

Information related to interactions between healthcare providers and a patient.

Physical place of available services or resources.

Desired state to be achieved by a person or a person’s elections to guide care.

Assessments of a health-related matter of interest, importance, or worry to a patient, patient’s family, or patient’s healthcare provider that could identify a need, problem, or condition.

Record of vaccine administration.

An instrument, machine, appliance, implant, software or other article intended to be used for a medical purpose.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient, and recommendations for future treatment.

Condition, diagnosis, or reason for seeking medical attention.

Activity performed for or on a patient as part of the provision of care.

The metadata, or extra information about data, regarding who created the data and when it was created.

USCDI V5

USCDI v5 was published on July 16, 2024, and includes 16 new data elements and two new data classes. Please read the USCDI v5 standard document and the ONC Standards Bulletin 24-2 for details.

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Information about a person who participates or is expected to participate in the care of a patient.

Narrative patient data relevant to the context identified by note types.

  •  
  • Usage note: Clinical Notes data elements are content exchange standard agnostic. They should not be interpreted or associated with the structured document templates that may share the same name. 

Non-imaging and non-laboratory tests performed that result in structured or unstructured findings specific to the patient to facilitate the diagnosis and management of conditions.

Tests that result in visual images requiring interpretation by a credentialed professional.

Information related to interactions between healthcare providers and a patient.

Physical place of available services or resources.

Desired state to be achieved by a person or a person’s elections to guide care.

Assessments of a health-related matter of interest, importance, or worry to a patient, patient’s family, or patient’s healthcare provider that could identify a need, problem, or condition.

Record of vaccine administration.

An instrument, machine, appliance, implant, software or other article intended to be used for a medical purpose.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Findings or other clinical data collected about a patient during care.

Provider-authored request for the delivery of patient care services.

Conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient, and recommendations for future treatment.

Condition, diagnosis, or reason for seeking medical attention.

Activity performed for or on a patient as part of the provision of care.

The metadata, or extra information about data, regarding who created the data and when it was created.

Draft USCDI V6

ASTP/ONC published Draft USCDI v6 on January 14, 2025, and proposes to add 6 new data elements. Please read the Draft USCDI v6 standard document and the ASTP Standards Bulletin 25-1 for details. ASTP/ONC is accepting comments here through May 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET.

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Information about a person who participates or is expected to participate in the care of a patient.

Narrative patient data relevant to the context identified by note types.

  •  
  • Usage note: Clinical Notes data elements are content exchange standard agnostic. They should not be interpreted or associated with the structured document templates that may share the same name. 

Non-imaging and non-laboratory tests performed that result in structured or unstructured findings specific to the patient to facilitate the diagnosis and management of conditions.

Tests that result in visual images requiring interpretation by a credentialed professional.

Information related to interactions between healthcare providers and a patient.

Physical place of available services or resources.

Desired state to be achieved by a person or a person’s elections to guide care.

Assessments of a health-related matter of interest, importance, or worry to a patient, patient’s family, or patient’s healthcare provider that could identify a need, problem, or condition.

Record of vaccine administration.

An instrument, machine, appliance, implant, software or other article intended to be used for a medical purpose.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Findings or other clinical data collected about a patient during care.

Conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient, and recommendations for future treatment.

Activity performed for or on a patient as part of the provision of care.

The metadata, or extra information about data, regarding who created the data and when it was created.

Level 2 data elements meet the following criteria:
  • Represented by a terminology standard or SDO-balloted technical specification or implementation guide.
  • Data element is captured, stored, or accessed in multiple production EHRs or other HIT modules from more than one developer.
  • Data element is electronically exchanged between more than two production EHRs or other HIT modules of different developers using available interoperability standards.
  • Use cases apply to most care settings or specialties.

Level 2

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Material substance originating from a biological entity intended to be transplanted or infused into another (possibly the same) biological entity.

Tests that result in visual images requiring interpretation by a credentialed professional.

Data related to an individual’s insurance coverage for health care.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Provider-authored request for the delivery of patient care services.

Data used to categorize individuals for identification, records matching, and other purposes.

Conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient, and recommendations for future treatment.

Condition, diagnosis, or reason for seeking medical attention.

Activity performed for or on a patient as part of the provision of care.

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

Level 1 data elements meet the following criteria:
  • Represented by a terminology standard or SDO-balloted technical specification or implementation guide.
  • Data element is captured, stored, or accessed in at least one production EHR or HIT module.
  • Data element is electronically exchanged between two production EHRs or other HIT modules using available interoperability standards.
  • Use cases apply to several care settings or specialties.

Level 1

Material substance originating from a biological entity intended to be transplanted or infused into another (possibly the same) biological entity.

Narrative patient data relevant to the context identified by note types.

  •  
  • Usage note: Clinical Notes data elements are content exchange standard agnostic. They should not be interpreted or associated with the structured document templates that may share the same name. 

Physical place of available services or resources.

Assessments of a health-related matter of interest, importance, or worry to a patient, patient’s family, or patient’s healthcare provider that could identify a need, problem, or condition.

Analysis of clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient.

Pharmacologic agents used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

The metadata, or extra information about data, regarding who created the data and when it was created.

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

Level 0 data elements meet the following criteria:
  • Not represented by a terminology standard or SDO-balloted technical specification or implementation guide.
  • Data element is captured, stored, or accessed in limited settings such as a pilot or proof of concept demonstration.
  • Data element is electronically exchanged in limited environments, such as connectathons or pilots.
  • Use cases apply to a limited number of care settings or specialties, or data element represents a specialization of other, more general data elements.

Level 0

Harmful or undesired physiological responses associated with exposure to a substance.

Material substance originating from a biological entity intended to be transplanted or infused into another (possibly the same) biological entity.

Information about a person who participates or is expected to participate in the care of a patient.

Tests that result in visual images requiring interpretation by a credentialed professional.

Desired state to be achieved by a patient.

Desired state to be achieved by a person or a person’s elections to guide care.

Data related to an individual’s insurance coverage for health care.

Findings or other clinical data collected about a patient during care.

Conclusions and working assumptions that will guide treatment of the patient, and recommendations for future treatment.

Condition, diagnosis, or reason for seeking medical attention.

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

 

Previous USCDI Versions

The USCDI ONC New Data Element and Class (ONDEC) Submission System supports a predictable, transparent, and collaborative process, allowing health IT stakeholders to submit new data elements and classes for future versions of USCDI. Click here for more information and to submit new data elements.

The USCDI standard will follow the Standards Version Advancement Process described in the Cures rule to allow health IT developers to update their systems to newer version of USCDI and provide these updates to their customers.

Comment

Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) feedback

 CDISC appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback to the ONC on the Draft USCDI V4.0. Please see attached letter.

CDISC Response to ONC USCDI v4.0.pdf

ACP Comments on Draft USCDI v4

Attached please find the American College of Physicians’ comments on ONC's Draft United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Version 4 and related data elements. The College greatly appreciates the opportunity to share our feedback and looks forward to continuing to work with ONC to implement policies that support and improve the practice of internal medicine.

ACP Comments on ONC's Draft USCDI v4 - 4.13.23.pdf

EHR Association Comments on Draft USCDI Version 4

On behalf of our nearly 30 member companies, the HIMSS Electronic Health Record (EHR) Association appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback to the ONC on the Draft USCDI v4. Our full comments are attached.

EHR Association Comments to ONC on Draft USCDI v4.pdf

AAMC Comments on Draft USCDI v4

Please find attached comments from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) on the draft USCDI v4.

 

AAMC Comments ONC USCDIv4 Apr2023.pdf

This field is for general…

This field is for general comments on the USCDI. To submit new USCDI data classes and/or data elements, please use the USCDI ONDEC system: https://healthit.gov/ONDEC

ONC comments.docx

APTA Comments on Draft USCDI Version 4

Attached see the American Physical Therapy Association's comments on the ONC's Draft United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Version 4 and related data elements. We appreciate the opportunity to provide comment. 

ONC Letter of Support APTA 3_31.docx

APTA Comments on Draft USCDI Version 4

Attached see the American Physical Therapy Association's comments on the ONC's Draft United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Version 4 and related data elements. We appreciate the opportunity to provide comment. 

ONC Letter of Support APTA 3_31.docx

Support for Average Blood Pressure Data Element

Thank you for providing the opportunity to provide perspective regarding the ONC draft USCDI v4 data classes and data elements. The concept of average blood pressure is highly relevant to the assessment of blood pressure control, quality of care, and clinical decision making. The concept has been extensively studied and is well-supported in the medical literature and included in the hypertension management guidelines of several professional societies. Thank you for recognizing the key need of the average blood pressure data element in the draft USCDI v4. I strongly encourage ONC to adopt this data element into the final release USCDI v4. 

Two notes.  First, the concept of average blood pressure is comprised of two discrete concepts (average systolic blood pressure and average diastolic blood pressure), each of which is calculated as a statistical arithmetic mean of multiple values.

Second, the concept of average blood pressure does need to be differentiated from the concept of mean arterial pressure, which can be determined through integration of a continuously measured arterial waveform or calculated using the equation MAP = DP + 1/3(SP – DP), where MAP = mean arterial pressure, DP = diastolic blood pressure, and SP = systolic blood pressure. MAP is typically used only in the in-hospital intensive care setting and has little utility outside of the ICU setting.