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. 

DG: 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. 

DG: The medical record should describe four or more elements of the present illness (HPI) or associated comorbidities.