History of Present Illness (HPI)

 

The HPI is a chronological description of the development of the patient's present illness from the first sign and/or symptom or from the previous encounter to the present. It includes the following elements:

-location;

-quality;

-severity;

-duration;

-timing;

-context;

-modifying factors; and

-associated signs and symptoms.

 

Brief and extended HPIs are distinguished by the amount of detail needed to accurately characterize the clinical problem(s).

 

A brief HPI consists of one to three elements of the HPI.

***The medical record should describe one to three elements of the present illness (HPI).

An extended HPI consists of four or more elements of the HPI.

***The medical record should describe four or more elements of the present illness (HPI)

1997 GUIDELINES- Extended HPI consists of at least four elements of the HPI or the status of at least three chronic or inactive conditions.

*** The medical record should describe at least four elements of the present illness (HPI), or the status of at least three chronic or inactive conditions.