Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
Postulate 2 Wide Band Scan
Statement
Before the diagnostic process is narrowed to specific medical domains, the relevant medical spectrum SHALL be considered broadly.
Definition
The Wide Band Scan is the initial, broad consideration of potentially relevant medical domains following the Initial Event.
It is an orienting process, not a comprehensive diagnostic investigation.
The Wide Band Scan SHALL identify potentially relevant domains while avoiding premature restriction to a single specialty, diagnostic hypothesis, or presumed cause.
A domain may be excluded from further consideration when there is a reasonable basis for doing so. Such an exclusion SHALL remain distinguishable from a domain that has actually been investigated.
Principle
The diagnostic search space SHALL be opened broadly before it is narrowed.
The Wide Band Scan does not require every medical domain to be investigated.
Rather, it requires that the scope of the diagnostic search itself becomes a conscious part of the process.
The distinction between
investigated
not investigated because currently not relevant
and
unknown whether investigated
SHALL be preserved.
Rationale
A diagnostic process may become prematurely focused on the first plausible medical specialty or hypothesis.
Once a search has been narrowed, subsequent observations and investigations may increasingly be interpreted within that same domain.
The Wide Band Scan is intended to reduce this form of premature diagnostic narrowing.
It does so without requiring exhaustive investigation.
Its purpose is to ensure that potentially relevant alternatives are considered before they are excluded from the search space.
Practical Example
Following an accident with apparently isolated involvement of the head, the initial orientation may identify
- Head / brain — relevant
- Cervical spine — potentially relevant
- Thorax — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Abdomen — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Extremities — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Foot — currently no apparent indication
The foot therefore does not need to be examined merely because a Wide Band Scan has taken place.
However, the record should distinguish:
Foot: not investigated — currently outside the relevant diagnostic scope.
from:
Foot: investigated — no abnormal finding.
These are fundamentally different pieces of information.
Database Requirements
The database SHALL be able to represent the result of a Wide Band Scan independently of subsequent diagnostic findings.
For each considered medical domain, the system should be able to distinguish at least:
- relevant / potentially relevant
- not currently relevant / outside the diagnostic scope
- investigated
- not investigated
- unknown
The reason for deliberately excluding a domain from the current diagnostic scope SHOULD be documentable.
Implications
The Wide Band Scan
- SHALL NOT constitute a diagnosis.
- SHALL NOT require exhaustive investigation of all medical domains.
- SHALL NOT prescribe a particular diagnostic pathway.
- SHALL NOT replace specialist assessment.
- SHALL make premature narrowing of the diagnostic search less likely.
- SHALL preserve the distinction between absence of a finding and absence of an investigation.
The Wide Band Scan therefore provides orientation before specialization.
Related Postulates
P1 — Postulate of Initial Event
defines the zero-dimensional starting point from which the Wide Band Scan begins.
P3 — Progressive Diagnostic Rendering
defines how diagnostic information can subsequently be acquired with progressively increasing resolution.
P6 — Knowledge Principle
is relevant because the assessment of potentially relevant domains depends on the medical knowledge available at the respective point in time.
P7 — Context Principle
is relevant because the relevance of a medical domain depends on the circumstances and context of the Initial Event.
P8 — Investigation Principle
becomes relevant when a potentially relevant domain is investigated and the suitability and limitations of the chosen investigation are assessed.
Key Message
Look broadly before you look deeply.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
Postulate 2 Wide Band Scan
Statement
Before the diagnostic process is narrowed to specific medical domains, the relevant medical spectrum SHALL be considered broadly.
Definition
The Wide Band Scan is the initial, broad consideration of potentially relevant medical domains following the Initial Event.
It is an orienting process, not a comprehensive diagnostic investigation.
The Wide Band Scan SHALL identify potentially relevant domains while avoiding premature restriction to a single specialty, diagnostic hypothesis, or presumed cause.
A domain may be excluded from further consideration when there is a reasonable basis for doing so. Such an exclusion SHALL remain distinguishable from a domain that has actually been investigated.
Principle
The diagnostic search space SHALL be opened broadly before it is narrowed.
The Wide Band Scan does not require every medical domain to be investigated.
Rather, it requires that the scope of the diagnostic search itself becomes a conscious part of the process.
The distinction between
investigated
not investigated because currently not relevant
and
unknown whether investigated
SHALL be preserved.
Rationale
A diagnostic process may become prematurely focused on the first plausible medical specialty or hypothesis.
Once a search has been narrowed, subsequent observations and investigations may increasingly be interpreted within that same domain.
The Wide Band Scan is intended to reduce this form of premature diagnostic narrowing.
It does so without requiring exhaustive investigation.
Its purpose is to ensure that potentially relevant alternatives are considered before they are excluded from the search space.
Practical Example
Following an accident with apparently isolated involvement of the head, the initial orientation may identify
- Head / brain — relevant
- Cervical spine — potentially relevant
- Thorax — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Abdomen — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Extremities — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Foot — currently no apparent indication
The foot therefore does not need to be examined merely because a Wide Band Scan has taken place.
However, the record should distinguish:
Foot: not investigated — currently outside the relevant diagnostic scope.
from:
Foot: investigated — no abnormal finding.
These are fundamentally different pieces of information.
Database Requirements
The database SHALL be able to represent the result of a Wide Band Scan independently of subsequent diagnostic findings.
For each considered medical domain, the system should be able to distinguish at least:
- relevant / potentially relevant
- not currently relevant / outside the diagnostic scope
- investigated
- not investigated
- unknown
The reason for deliberately excluding a domain from the current diagnostic scope SHOULD be documentable.
Implications
The Wide Band Scan
- SHALL NOT constitute a diagnosis.
- SHALL NOT require exhaustive investigation of all medical domains.
- SHALL NOT prescribe a particular diagnostic pathway.
- SHALL NOT replace specialist assessment.
- SHALL make premature narrowing of the diagnostic search less likely.
- SHALL preserve the distinction between absence of a finding and absence of an investigation.
The Wide Band Scan therefore provides orientation before specialization.
Related Postulates
P1 — Postulate of Initial Event
defines the zero-dimensional starting point from which the Wide Band Scan begins.
P3 — Progressive Diagnostic Rendering
defines how diagnostic information can subsequently be acquired with progressively increasing resolution.
P6 — Knowledge Principle
is relevant because the assessment of potentially relevant domains depends on the medical knowledge available at the respective point in time.
P7 — Context Principle
is relevant because the relevance of a medical domain depends on the circumstances and context of the Initial Event.
P8 — Investigation Principle
becomes relevant when a potentially relevant domain is investigated and the suitability and limitations of the chosen investigation are assessed.
Key Message
Look broadly before you look deeply.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
Postulate 2 Wide Band Scan
Statement
Before the diagnostic process is narrowed to specific medical domains, the relevant medical spectrum SHALL be considered broadly.
Definition
The Wide Band Scan is the initial, broad consideration of potentially relevant medical domains following the Initial Event.
It is an orienting process, not a comprehensive diagnostic investigation.
The Wide Band Scan SHALL identify potentially relevant domains while avoiding premature restriction to a single specialty, diagnostic hypothesis, or presumed cause.
A domain may be excluded from further consideration when there is a reasonable basis for doing so. Such an exclusion SHALL remain distinguishable from a domain that has actually been investigated.
Principle
The diagnostic search space SHALL be opened broadly before it is narrowed.
The Wide Band Scan does not require every medical domain to be investigated.
Rather, it requires that the scope of the diagnostic search itself becomes a conscious part of the process.
The distinction between
investigated
not investigated because currently not relevant
and
unknown whether investigated
SHALL be preserved.
Rationale
A diagnostic process may become prematurely focused on the first plausible medical specialty or hypothesis.
Once a search has been narrowed, subsequent observations and investigations may increasingly be interpreted within that same domain.
The Wide Band Scan is intended to reduce this form of premature diagnostic narrowing.
It does so without requiring exhaustive investigation.
Its purpose is to ensure that potentially relevant alternatives are considered before they are excluded from the search space.
Practical Example
Following an accident with apparently isolated involvement of the head, the initial orientation may identify
- Head / brain — relevant
- Cervical spine — potentially relevant
- Thorax — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Abdomen — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Extremities — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Foot — currently no apparent indication
The foot therefore does not need to be examined merely because a Wide Band Scan has taken place.
However, the record should distinguish:
Foot: not investigated — currently outside the relevant diagnostic scope.
from:
Foot: investigated — no abnormal finding.
These are fundamentally different pieces of information.
Database Requirements
The database SHALL be able to represent the result of a Wide Band Scan independently of subsequent diagnostic findings.
For each considered medical domain, the system should be able to distinguish at least:
- relevant / potentially relevant
- not currently relevant / outside the diagnostic scope
- investigated
- not investigated
- unknown
The reason for deliberately excluding a domain from the current diagnostic scope SHOULD be documentable.
Implications
The Wide Band Scan
- SHALL NOT constitute a diagnosis.
- SHALL NOT require exhaustive investigation of all medical domains.
- SHALL NOT prescribe a particular diagnostic pathway.
- SHALL NOT replace specialist assessment.
- SHALL make premature narrowing of the diagnostic search less likely.
- SHALL preserve the distinction between absence of a finding and absence of an investigation.
The Wide Band Scan therefore provides orientation before specialization.
Related Postulates
P1 — Postulate of Initial Event
defines the zero-dimensional starting point from which the Wide Band Scan begins.
P3 — Progressive Diagnostic Rendering
defines how diagnostic information can subsequently be acquired with progressively increasing resolution.
P6 — Knowledge Principle
is relevant because the assessment of potentially relevant domains depends on the medical knowledge available at the respective point in time.
P7 — Context Principle
is relevant because the relevance of a medical domain depends on the circumstances and context of the Initial Event.
P8 — Investigation Principle
becomes relevant when a potentially relevant domain is investigated and the suitability and limitations of the chosen investigation are assessed.
Key Message
Look broadly before you look deeply.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
Postulate 2 Wide Band Scan
Statement
Before the diagnostic process is narrowed to specific medical domains, the relevant medical spectrum SHALL be considered broadly.
Definition
The Wide Band Scan is the initial, broad consideration of potentially relevant medical domains following the Initial Event.
It is an orienting process, not a comprehensive diagnostic investigation.
The Wide Band Scan SHALL identify potentially relevant domains while avoiding premature restriction to a single specialty, diagnostic hypothesis, or presumed cause.
A domain may be excluded from further consideration when there is a reasonable basis for doing so. Such an exclusion SHALL remain distinguishable from a domain that has actually been investigated.
Principle
The diagnostic search space SHALL be opened broadly before it is narrowed.
The Wide Band Scan does not require every medical domain to be investigated.
Rather, it requires that the scope of the diagnostic search itself becomes a conscious part of the process.
The distinction between
investigated
not investigated because currently not relevant
and
unknown whether investigated
SHALL be preserved.
Rationale
A diagnostic process may become prematurely focused on the first plausible medical specialty or hypothesis.
Once a search has been narrowed, subsequent observations and investigations may increasingly be interpreted within that same domain.
The Wide Band Scan is intended to reduce this form of premature diagnostic narrowing.
It does so without requiring exhaustive investigation.
Its purpose is to ensure that potentially relevant alternatives are considered before they are excluded from the search space.
Practical Example
Following an accident with apparently isolated involvement of the head, the initial orientation may identify
- Head / brain — relevant
- Cervical spine — potentially relevant
- Thorax — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Abdomen — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Extremities — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Foot — currently no apparent indication
The foot therefore does not need to be examined merely because a Wide Band Scan has taken place.
However, the record should distinguish:
Foot: not investigated — currently outside the relevant diagnostic scope.
from:
Foot: investigated — no abnormal finding.
These are fundamentally different pieces of information.
Database Requirements
The database SHALL be able to represent the result of a Wide Band Scan independently of subsequent diagnostic findings.
For each considered medical domain, the system should be able to distinguish at least:
- relevant / potentially relevant
- not currently relevant / outside the diagnostic scope
- investigated
- not investigated
- unknown
The reason for deliberately excluding a domain from the current diagnostic scope SHOULD be documentable.
Implications
The Wide Band Scan
- SHALL NOT constitute a diagnosis.
- SHALL NOT require exhaustive investigation of all medical domains.
- SHALL NOT prescribe a particular diagnostic pathway.
- SHALL NOT replace specialist assessment.
- SHALL make premature narrowing of the diagnostic search less likely.
- SHALL preserve the distinction between absence of a finding and absence of an investigation.
The Wide Band Scan therefore provides orientation before specialization.
Related Postulates
P1 — Postulate of Initial Event
defines the zero-dimensional starting point from which the Wide Band Scan begins.
P3 — Progressive Diagnostic Rendering
defines how diagnostic information can subsequently be acquired with progressively increasing resolution.
P6 — Knowledge Principle
is relevant because the assessment of potentially relevant domains depends on the medical knowledge available at the respective point in time.
P7 — Context Principle
is relevant because the relevance of a medical domain depends on the circumstances and context of the Initial Event.
P8 — Investigation Principle
becomes relevant when a potentially relevant domain is investigated and the suitability and limitations of the chosen investigation are assessed.
Key Message
Look broadly before you look deeply.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
Postulate 2 Wide Band Scan
Statement
Before the diagnostic process is narrowed to specific medical domains, the relevant medical spectrum SHALL be considered broadly.
Definition
The Wide Band Scan is the initial, broad consideration of potentially relevant medical domains following the Initial Event.
It is an orienting process, not a comprehensive diagnostic investigation.
The Wide Band Scan SHALL identify potentially relevant domains while avoiding premature restriction to a single specialty, diagnostic hypothesis, or presumed cause.
A domain may be excluded from further consideration when there is a reasonable basis for doing so. Such an exclusion SHALL remain distinguishable from a domain that has actually been investigated.
Principle
The diagnostic search space SHALL be opened broadly before it is narrowed.
The Wide Band Scan does not require every medical domain to be investigated.
Rather, it requires that the scope of the diagnostic search itself becomes a conscious part of the process.
The distinction between
investigated
not investigated because currently not relevant
and
unknown whether investigated
SHALL be preserved.
Rationale
A diagnostic process may become prematurely focused on the first plausible medical specialty or hypothesis.
Once a search has been narrowed, subsequent observations and investigations may increasingly be interpreted within that same domain.
The Wide Band Scan is intended to reduce this form of premature diagnostic narrowing.
It does so without requiring exhaustive investigation.
Its purpose is to ensure that potentially relevant alternatives are considered before they are excluded from the search space.
Practical Example
Following an accident with apparently isolated involvement of the head, the initial orientation may identify
- Head / brain — relevant
- Cervical spine — potentially relevant
- Thorax — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Abdomen — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Extremities — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Foot — currently no apparent indication
The foot therefore does not need to be examined merely because a Wide Band Scan has taken place.
However, the record should distinguish:
Foot: not investigated — currently outside the relevant diagnostic scope.
from:
Foot: investigated — no abnormal finding.
These are fundamentally different pieces of information.
Database Requirements
The database SHALL be able to represent the result of a Wide Band Scan independently of subsequent diagnostic findings.
For each considered medical domain, the system should be able to distinguish at least:
- relevant / potentially relevant
- not currently relevant / outside the diagnostic scope
- investigated
- not investigated
- unknown
The reason for deliberately excluding a domain from the current diagnostic scope SHOULD be documentable.
Implications
The Wide Band Scan
- SHALL NOT constitute a diagnosis.
- SHALL NOT require exhaustive investigation of all medical domains.
- SHALL NOT prescribe a particular diagnostic pathway.
- SHALL NOT replace specialist assessment.
- SHALL make premature narrowing of the diagnostic search less likely.
- SHALL preserve the distinction between absence of a finding and absence of an investigation.
The Wide Band Scan therefore provides orientation before specialization.
Related Postulates
P1 — Postulate of Initial Event
defines the zero-dimensional starting point from which the Wide Band Scan begins.
P3 — Progressive Diagnostic Rendering
defines how diagnostic information can subsequently be acquired with progressively increasing resolution.
P6 — Knowledge Principle
is relevant because the assessment of potentially relevant domains depends on the medical knowledge available at the respective point in time.
P7 — Context Principle
is relevant because the relevance of a medical domain depends on the circumstances and context of the Initial Event.
P8 — Investigation Principle
becomes relevant when a potentially relevant domain is investigated and the suitability and limitations of the chosen investigation are assessed.
Key Message
Look broadly before you look deeply.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
Postulate 2 Wide Band Scan
Statement
Before the diagnostic process is narrowed to specific medical domains, the relevant medical spectrum SHALL be considered broadly.
Definition
The Wide Band Scan is the initial, broad consideration of potentially relevant medical domains following the Initial Event.
It is an orienting process, not a comprehensive diagnostic investigation.
The Wide Band Scan SHALL identify potentially relevant domains while avoiding premature restriction to a single specialty, diagnostic hypothesis, or presumed cause.
A domain may be excluded from further consideration when there is a reasonable basis for doing so. Such an exclusion SHALL remain distinguishable from a domain that has actually been investigated.
Principle
The diagnostic search space SHALL be opened broadly before it is narrowed.
The Wide Band Scan does not require every medical domain to be investigated.
Rather, it requires that the scope of the diagnostic search itself becomes a conscious part of the process.
The distinction between
investigated
not investigated because currently not relevant
and
unknown whether investigated
SHALL be preserved.
Rationale
A diagnostic process may become prematurely focused on the first plausible medical specialty or hypothesis.
Once a search has been narrowed, subsequent observations and investigations may increasingly be interpreted within that same domain.
The Wide Band Scan is intended to reduce this form of premature diagnostic narrowing.
It does so without requiring exhaustive investigation.
Its purpose is to ensure that potentially relevant alternatives are considered before they are excluded from the search space.
Practical Example
Following an accident with apparently isolated involvement of the head, the initial orientation may identify
- Head / brain — relevant
- Cervical spine — potentially relevant
- Thorax — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Abdomen — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Extremities — dependent on mechanism and findings
- Foot — currently no apparent indication
The foot therefore does not need to be examined merely because a Wide Band Scan has taken place.
However, the record should distinguish:
Foot: not investigated — currently outside the relevant diagnostic scope.
from:
Foot: investigated — no abnormal finding.
These are fundamentally different pieces of information.
Database Requirements
The database SHALL be able to represent the result of a Wide Band Scan independently of subsequent diagnostic findings.
For each considered medical domain, the system should be able to distinguish at least:
- relevant / potentially relevant
- not currently relevant / outside the diagnostic scope
- investigated
- not investigated
- unknown
The reason for deliberately excluding a domain from the current diagnostic scope SHOULD be documentable.
Implications
The Wide Band Scan
- SHALL NOT constitute a diagnosis.
- SHALL NOT require exhaustive investigation of all medical domains.
- SHALL NOT prescribe a particular diagnostic pathway.
- SHALL NOT replace specialist assessment.
- SHALL make premature narrowing of the diagnostic search less likely.
- SHALL preserve the distinction between absence of a finding and absence of an investigation.
The Wide Band Scan therefore provides orientation before specialization.
Related Postulates
P1 — Postulate of Initial Event
defines the zero-dimensional starting point from which the Wide Band Scan begins.
P3 — Progressive Diagnostic Rendering
defines how diagnostic information can subsequently be acquired with progressively increasing resolution.
P6 — Knowledge Principle
is relevant because the assessment of potentially relevant domains depends on the medical knowledge available at the respective point in time.
P7 — Context Principle
is relevant because the relevance of a medical domain depends on the circumstances and context of the Initial Event.
P8 — Investigation Principle
becomes relevant when a potentially relevant domain is investigated and the suitability and limitations of the chosen investigation are assessed.
Key Message
Look broadly before you look deeply.