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Segment

Observations calculated from other observations

Describes observations that are derived by calculation from other observations, carrying the derivation rule or formula. It follows OM1 for calculated results (such as anion gap or LDL cholesterol) in MFN messages, providing receiving systems with the logic or reference for how the result is computed.

2fields
0required
v2.9HL7 version
om6.py
from zato.hl7v2.v2_9 import OM6

om6 = OM6()
om6.sequence_number_test_observation_master_file = '1'
om6.derivation_rule = 'BMI = weight_kg / (height_m ** 2)'

Build OM6 segments in Python

How to construct and work with real-world OM6 segments.

1

Calculated LDL for wellness screening

Text rule referencing total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides results

from zato.hl7v2.v2_9 import OM6

om6 = OM6()
om6.sequence_number_test_observation_master_file = '1'
om6.derivation_rule = 'LDL = TC - HDL - (TG / 5)'
2

BMI from height and weight

Simple body-mass index formula tied to master-file sequence two

from zato.hl7v2.v2_9 import OM6

om6 = OM6()
om6.sequence_number_test_observation_master_file = '2'
om6.derivation_rule = 'BMI = weight_kg / (height_m * height_m)'
3

Non-HDL cholesterol aggregate

Derived lipid summary built from total and HDL cholesterol for fitness programs

from zato.hl7v2.v2_9 import OM6

om6 = OM6()
om6.sequence_number_test_observation_master_file = '3'
om6.derivation_rule = 'Non-HDL = TC - HDL'

Learn by building

Step-by-step guides for working with HL7 v2 in Zato.

Frequently asked questions

OM5 lists bundled tests, while OM6 documents how a derived numeric result is computed from other OBX values for reporting and quality review.

Yes—spell out which upstream results feed the formula so interfaces can validate that required wellness markers arrived before publishing calculated values.

Assign a TX string with the plain-language or symbolic formula:

from zato.hl7v2.v2_9 import OM6

om6 = OM6()
om6.sequence_number_test_observation_master_file = '1'
om6.derivation_rule = 'BMI = weight_kg / (height_m ** 2)'

OBX carries the published calculated value while OM6 explains its source math, which helps coaching and analytics tools audit screening outputs.

Use the same numbering scheme as other OMx segments in the master file so each calculated observation stays linked to its observation definition.

Zato connects to any system that speaks HL7v2 over MLLP or FHIR over REST. This includes Epic, Cerner, Meditech, Allscripts, and other EHR platforms.

Yes, Zato has built-in MLLP support for sending and receiving HL7v2 messages. MLLP channels handle the framing protocol automatically.

Zato supports HL7 v2.9, which is backward compatible with earlier versions including v2.3, v2.5, and v2.7. Standard segments and datatypes are available as typed Python classes.

Yes. Zato handles both HL7v2 and FHIR natively, so you can parse v2 messages and build FHIR resources with IG-specific extensions in the same service. Typed Python classes are available for both protocols, including extensions from US Core, UK Core, Da Vinci, and other Implementation Guides.

OM6 field reference

Complete list of fields in the OM6 segment, HL7 v2.9.

#Python nameDatatypeUsageRepeatableTable
1sequence_number_test_observation_master_fileNMOptionalNo-
2derivation_ruleTXOptionalNo-

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Open source In Python