1. Nursing Special Interest Subgroup – Observables Modelling
Judith Warren, Susan Matney, Kathryn Hannah

2. Testing the Observables Model with Nursing Content

3. Nursing Outcomes Indicators
Concepts from the Catalog are in Four Categories:
functional status
therapeutic self-care (readiness for discharge)
symptom management (pain, nausea, fatigue, dyspnea)
safety (falls, pressure ulcers)

4. Process (evaluation done by S. Matney, K. Hannah and J. Warren)
Created a spreadsheet with “Observable” attributes as headers (with definitions)
Loaded nursing outcomes, chose six for initial model testing, completed all
Mapped using Observables guidance document
Met with D. Karlsson in Copenhagen
Joined monthly Observable calls
Identified patterns or heuristics for outcome observations

5. Observables Model Example
TECHNIQUE
Observation device
WHAT
SCALE
UNITS
DIRECT SITE
PROPERTY TYPE
INHERES IN
...
HOW

6. Fully specifying an Observable
There are 3 elements that define the observable:
Property inheres in realization/location
For each function there is a process
Should we define functions in terms of processes
Is Ability a property type or should we use Function?

7. Inheres in
Homo sapiens (organism)

8. Function observables Functions have processes as realizations
E.g. ability to walk has realization walking
Do we need both functions and processes?
‘Towards’ is a realization
What axis do the values come from
Observable
Qualifiers
Is realization and towards the same thing

9. Technique
Use Observation in the broadest possible meaning as Technique
Classes that specify some aspect of the observation procedure, such as scale, units, technique, site, or informer

10. Informer Leave blank if we want users to post-coordinate
Specify if we want to limit who can inform
Patient
Caregiver
Patient and/or caregiver
Responsible Person
Subject of record

11. Bathing Observable entity and specifiedBy some
(Patient status observation and observes some (Quality/Realizable and propertyType Function/Ability inheresIn Homo sapiens/Person and hasRealization some Bathing ) )

12. Recognition of changes in your body (symptoms) related to your illness
Observable: Ability to recognize symptoms ( )
Property type: observable (observable entity) ( )
Inhere in Location: Homo sapiens (organism)
Process duration: current (qualifier value)
Towards: Knowledge
Technique: evaluation procedure (procedure)
Informer: Patient
Scale type: ORD

13. Able to adjust your regular activities when you experience body changes (symptoms) related to your illness
Observable: Ability to self manage symptoms ( )
Property type: Health related behavior ( )
Inheres in location: Homo sapiens (organism)
Process duration: current (qualifier value)
Towards: Knowledge
Techniques: evaluation procedure (procedure)
Informer: Patient
Scale type: ORD

14. Walk in Room Observable: ability to walk in room
Property type: Ability to perform a function/activity
Inheres in location: Homo sapiens (organism)
Process duration: current (qualifier value)
Towards: Technique: Mobility
Techniques: patient status observation (procedure)
Informer: Subject of record or other provider of history (ID )
Scale type: ORD
Result values: Dependent, Independent, Requires Assist….

15. Understand purpose of the medication
Observable: Ability to verbalize understanding| |
Property type: Knowledge (new concept)
Inheres in location: Homo sapiens (organism)
Process duration: current (qualifier value)
Towards: knowledge level (observable entity)
Technique: evaluation procedure (procedure)
Informer: Subject of record or other provider of history (ID )  
Scale type: ORD        

16. Pain Intensity Observable: Pain Intensity 406127006
Property type: Perception
Inheres in location: Homo sapiens (organism)
Process duration: current (qualifier value)
Towards: Pain ?? Or comfort
Technique: evaluation procedure (procedure)
Informer: Patient
Scale type: ORD            

17. Discussion New Properties Function, Perception, Knowledge
Towards: “...used to specify the third element of a relational quality...”
Are functions relational qualities?
A has realization object property?
Technique
Patient Stated - missing
Patterns
The properties above always inhere in the person (homo sapiens)
Perception and knowledge are always stated by the patient

18. specified-by ○ observes ⊑ is-about
Observable for qualities
property type
property types
inheres in
independent continuants
(inherent) location
Material entities
is-about
quality
(inherent) ingredient
substances
towards
Independent continuants
observable entity
relative to
substances
(rel-to) part of
Independent continuants
specified-by
precondition
Precondition values
observation procedure
observes
scale
scale types
units
units
technique
techniques
direct site
Material entities
informer
subjects
specified-by ○ observes ⊑ is-about