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Section 1c: FHIR®
Section 3: Implementation Guides

HL7 FHIR® Implementation Guide: Person-Centered Outcomes (PCO), Edition 1 - US Realm

DESCRIPTION

The Person-Centered Outcomes (PCO) HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide (IG) enables goal-directed care by facilitating the interoperable exchange of patient-prioritized health outcomes. It standardizes the sharing, tracking, and assessment of goals using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) or Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). The IG includes profiles for interoperable goals, GAS editing tools, and PROM-based tracking, ensuring consistent communication across systems and supporting standardized outcome measurement.

 

See the specification at http://hl7.org/fhir/us/pco/STU1

ALTERNATIVE NAMES

HL7 FHIR® Implementation Guide: Person-Centered Outcomes (PCO), Edition 1 - US Realm may also go by the following names or acronyms:

"HL7 FHIR® IG: Person-Centered Outcomes (PCO), E1",,pco-ig

BENEFITS

  • Enables goal conversations and achievement progress to be captured in a structured format that is interoperable.
  • Supports care coordination as well as assessing the quality of goal-directed care provided to patients.
  • Supports the person-centered outcomes approach, the identification and tracking of health outcome goals that matter most to patients using either GAS or a PROM.
  • Designed to be complementary to the MCC IG without any conflicts or overlaps. The scope is distinct from MCC IG in that it goes into more detail on the use of FHIR resources to support Goal Outcomes and Progress.

IMPLEMENTATIONS/CASE STUDIES

  • A key user for the IG will be NCQA. This IG will support the implementation of their PCO measures that are proposed to be included in HEDIS Measurement Year 2027.
  • The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is actively investigating implementation of this IG to support their Whole Health approach to care and Veteran-centered outcomes.
  • Other likely implementers include providers and EHR/HIT system developers—as they develop and implement person-centered care planning digital products to facilitate goal-directed care with their patients.

DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND

The Person-Centered Outcomes (PCO) HL7® FHIR® Implementation Guide (IG) supports the exchange of information related to person-centered care guided by a person-centered outcomes approach, which includes the identification and tracking of personal outcome goals that matter most to patients using either Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) or patient-reported outcome measures (PROM).

The PCO IG includes profiles for interoperable GAS Goals, support for goal editing tools, and PCO measures. GAS in healthcare measures the extent to which individuals achieve specific goals or objectives. It allows for the quantification and evaluation of progress toward individualized goals, particularly in areas where traditional outcome measures may be insufficient. GAS involves collaboratively setting goals with the individual and assigning numerical scales to each goal to represent different levels of achievement. This approach provides a more nuanced and tailored way to assess progress and outcomes, taking into account the unique circumstances and aspirations of the individual.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

HL7 FHIR® Implementation Guide: Person-Centered Outcomes (PCO), Edition 1 - US Realm

STU DOCUMENTS

HL7 FHIR® Implementation Guide: Person-Centered Outcomes (PCO), Edition 1 - US Realm See the standard at '>http://hl7.org/fhir/us/pco/STU1'>. (Submit Feedback on STU)

TOPIC

  • Patient Care

BALLOT TYPE

  • STU

STATUS DATE

2026-04-27

RESPONSIBLE WORK GROUP

Patient Care

PRODUCT TYPE

  • Implementation Guide

STAKEHOLDERS

  • EHR, PHR Vendors
  • Health Care IT Vendors
  • Healthcare Institutions
  • Quality Reporting Agencies
  • Standards Development Organizations (SDOs)

FAMILY

  • FHIR

CURRENT STATE

  • Active

REALM

  • US Realm