Clinical granularity refers to the level of detail and specificity captured in clinical data, documentation, or decision-making. It reflects how precisely and comprehensively a patient's condition, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes are described or recorded.
Clinical granularity is the degree to which clinical information is documented with fine, meaningful detail that supports accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, communication, and data analysis.
| Aspect | Low Granularity | High Granularity |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Infection | Postoperative Staphylococcus aureus meningitis |
| Symptom | Altered mental status | Fluctuating bradipsychia with bilateral VI nerve palsy and Parinaud’s sign |
| Imaging | CT normal | CT shows mild periventricular edema, Evans index 0.34, no midline shift |
| Medication | Antibiotics given | Vancomycin 1g/12h IV, adjusted for GFR 45 ml/min |
The lack of clinical granularity in the initial emergency department note hindered the neurosurgical team's ability to assess the progression of the patient’s neurological deficits.