Is an estimated weight obtained by a clinician acceptable to report for the required weight vital sign core clinical data element?  This weight is not patient reported and we understand that it would need to be obtained within 24 hours prior to the start of the inpatient admission.

While we recognize the importance of having a measured weight, during the ED encounter, we are finding that given certain patient presentations, it is not in the patient's best interest to obtain a documented weight for their safety. In such cases, the ED clinicians will document an estimated weight.