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Time
The concepts giving care its shape in time: periods, contacts, encounters, and episodes of care.
episode of care
health related period during which care activities are performed to address one health issue as identified by one care professional

Time
The concepts giving care its shape in time: periods, contacts, encounters, and episodes of care.
- health related period
  time interval related to the health or care of a subject of care
- health condition period
  health related period during which a health condition has been observed
- care activity period
  period during which care activities are performed for a subject of care
- mandated period of care
  set of care activity periods where a care provider is mandated to perform the care activities required to address specific health needs
- indirect care activity period
  care activity period without the involvement of the subject of care
- prescribed self-care period
  care activity period where prescribed self-care activity is performed
- care contact
  interaction between one or more subjects of care and one or more care personnel
- initial contact
  care contact starting a continuity of care process
- encounter
  care activity period during which a contact occurs
- care appointment
  appointment for a contact
- episode of care
  health related period during which care activities are performed to address one health issue as identified by one care professional
- episodes of care bundle
  group of episodes of care delineated by a health thread
- care activity delay
  health related period during which a care activity is planned but not started
- health condition delay
  care activity delay caused by a health condition
- resource delay
  care activity delay caused by resource constraints
- subject of care preference delay
  care activity delay by the preference of the subject of care
- health approach
  episode of care during which the care activities performed address one specific care goal

episode of care

health related period during which care activities are performed to address one health issue as identified by one care professional

episode of care extends the class health related period

Table 1. Associations of episode of care
Source multiplicity	Source class	Association	Target class	Target multiplicity
1..*	episode of care	centred on	health issue	1..*
0..*	episode of care	aggregation of	episodes of care bundle	1..*
0..*	care provider	manages	episode of care	1..*

Figure 1. Class Diagram

Plural episode of cares

Example 1 Period where a urinary tract infection is managed.

Example 2 Period where a cholecystectomy is performed.

Note 1 An episode of care encompasses all care activities related to the same health issue.

Note 2 An episode of care starts with the very initial contact with a care provider for a health matter and it ends after the completion of all care activity periods related to the last contact with that care provider for the same health matter.

Note 3 For practical reasons (e.g. the need to state start and end dates) and also because it relates specifically to a health issue defined by a given care professional, an episode of care does not necessarily coincide with an “episode of illness” (or an episode of disease), or an episode of any other kind of health issue.

Note 4 During a mandated period of care several health issues may be handled and as such be linked to several episodes of care. These episodes of care are said to be “concurrent”.