CH ELM (R4)
1.9.1 - release Switzerland flag

CH ELM (R4), published by Federal Office of Public Health FOPH. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 1.9.1 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/ahdis/ch-elm/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: PublishDocumentReferenceResponse - Detailed Descriptions

Active as of 2025-03-25

Definitions for the PublishDocumentReferenceResponse resource profile.

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be found here

0. DocumentReference
Definition

A reference to a document of any kind for any purpose. Provides metadata about the document so that the document can be discovered and managed. The scope of a document is any seralized object with a mime-type, so includes formal patient centric documents (CDA), cliical notes, scanned paper, and non-patient specific documents like policy text.

ShortA reference to a document
Comments

Usually, this is used for documents other than those defined by FHIR.

Control0..*
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Invariantsdom-2: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources (contained.contained.empty())
dom-3: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource (contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty())
dom-4: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated (contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty())
dom-5: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label (contained.meta.security.empty())
dom-6: A resource should have narrative for robust management (text.`div`.exists())
2. DocumentReference.implicitRules
Definition

A reference to a set of rules that were followed when the resource was constructed, and which must be understood when processing the content. Often, this is a reference to an implementation guide that defines the special rules along with other profiles etc.

ShortA set of rules under which this content was created
Comments

Asserting this rule set restricts the content to be only understood by a limited set of trading partners. This inherently limits the usefulness of the data in the long term. However, the existing health eco-system is highly fractured, and not yet ready to define, collect, and exchange data in a generally computable sense. Wherever possible, implementers and/or specification writers should avoid using this element. Often, when used, the URL is a reference to an implementation guide that defines these special rules as part of it's narrative along with other profiles, value sets, etc.

Control0..1
Typeuri
Is Modifiertrue because This element is labeled as a modifier because the implicit rules may provide additional knowledge about the resource that modifies it's meaning or interpretation
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
4. DocumentReference.contained
Definition

These resources do not have an independent existence apart from the resource that contains them - they cannot be identified independently, and nor can they have their own independent transaction scope.

ShortContained, inline Resources
Comments

This should never be done when the content can be identified properly, as once identification is lost, it is extremely difficult (and context dependent) to restore it again. Contained resources may have profiles and tags In their meta elements, but SHALL NOT have security labels.

Control0..1*
TypeResource
Is Modifierfalse
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesinline resources, anonymous resources, contained resources
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on DocumentReference.contained. The slices areUnordered and Closed, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • profile @ $this
  • 6. DocumentReference.contained:OperationOutcome
    Slice NameOperationOutcome
    Definition

    A collection of error, warning, or information messages that result from a system action.


    These resources do not have an independent existence apart from the resource that contains them - they cannot be identified independently, and nor can they have their own independent transaction scope.

    ShortInformation about the success/failure of an actionContained, inline Resources
    Comments

    Can result from the failure of a REST call or be part of the response message returned from a request message.


    This should never be done when the content can be identified properly, as once identification is lost, it is extremely difficult (and context dependent) to restore it again. Contained resources may have profiles and tags In their meta elements, but SHALL NOT have security labels.

    Control0..1*
    TypeResource(OperationOutcome)
    Is Modifierfalse
    Must Supporttrue
    Summaryfalse
    Alternate Namesinline resources, anonymous resources, contained resources
    8. DocumentReference.extension
    Definition

    An Extension


    May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the resource. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.

    ShortExtensionAdditional content defined by implementations
    Comments

    There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

    Control10..*
    TypeExtension
    Is Modifierfalse
    Summaryfalse
    Alternate Namesextensions, user content
    Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
    ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
    SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on DocumentReference.extension. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
    • value @ url
    • 10. DocumentReference.extension:chextelmstatus
      Slice Namechextelmstatus
      Definition

      Extension to define the status of the processing of the document

      ShortStatus of the processing of the document
      Control1..1
      This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
      TypeExtension(Status of the processing of the document) (Complex Extension)
      Is Modifierfalse
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
      12. DocumentReference.modifierExtension
      Definition

      An Extension


      May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the resource and that modifies the understanding of the element that contains it and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer is allowed to define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.

      Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

      ShortExtensionExtensions that cannot be ignored
      Comments

      There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

      Control0..0*
      TypeExtension
      Is Modifiertrue because Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the resource that contains them
      Summaryfalse
      Requirements

      Modifier extensions allow for extensions that cannot be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored. This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the definition of modifier extensions.

      Alternate Namesextensions, user content
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
      14. DocumentReference.identifier
      Definition

      Other identifiers associated with the document, including version independent identifiers.

      ShortOther identifiers for the document
      NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
      Control10..1*
      TypeIdentifier
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      16. DocumentReference.status
      Definition

      The status of this document reference.

      Shortcurrent | superseded | entered-in-error
      Comments

      This is the status of the DocumentReference object, which might be independent from the docStatus element.

      This element is labeled as a modifier because the status contains the codes that mark the document or reference as not currently valid.

      Control1..1
      BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from DocumentReferenceStatushttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/document-reference-status|4.0.1
      (required to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/document-reference-status|4.0.1)

      The status of the document reference.

      Typecode
      Is Modifiertrue because This element is labelled as a modifier because it is a status element that contains status entered-in-error which means that the resource should not be treated as valid
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Pattern Valuecurrent
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      18. DocumentReference.docStatus
      Definition

      The status of the underlying document.

      Shortpreliminary | final | amended | entered-in-error
      Comments

      The document that is pointed to might be in various lifecycle states.

      Control0..01
      BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from CompositionStatushttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/composition-status|4.0.1
      (required to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/composition-status|4.0.1)

      Status of the underlying document.

      Typecode
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      20. DocumentReference.date
      Definition

      When the document reference was created.

      ShortWhen this document reference was created
      Comments

      Referencing/indexing time is used for tracking, organizing versions and searching.

      Control10..1
      Typeinstant
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Alternate Namesindexed
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      22. DocumentReference.relatesTo
      Definition

      Relationships that this document has with other document references that already exist.

      ShortRelationships to other documents
      Comments

      This element is labeled as a modifier because documents that append to other documents are incomplete on their own.

      Control0..*
      TypeBackboneElement
      Is Modifierfalse
      Must Supporttrue
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      24. DocumentReference.relatesTo.modifierExtension
      Definition

      May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.

      Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

      ShortExtensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
      Comments

      There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

      Control0..*
      TypeExtension
      Is Modifiertrue because Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the element that contains them
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Modifier extensions allow for extensions that cannot be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored. This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the definition of modifier extensions.

      Alternate Namesextensions, user content, modifiers
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
      26. DocumentReference.relatesTo.code
      Definition

      The type of relationship that this document has with anther document.

      Shortreplaces | transforms | signs | appends
      Comments

      If this document appends another document, then the document cannot be fully understood without also accessing the referenced document.

      Control1..1
      BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from DocumentRelationshipTypehttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/document-relationship-type|4.0.1
      (required to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/document-relationship-type|4.0.1)

      The type of relationship between documents.

      Typecode
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      28. DocumentReference.relatesTo.target
      Definition

      The target document of this relationship.

      ShortTarget of the relationship
      Control1..1
      TypeReference(DocumentReference)
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      30. DocumentReference.securityLabel
      Definition

      A set of Security-Tag codes specifying the level of privacy/security of the Document. Note that DocumentReference.meta.security contains the security labels of the "reference" to the document, while DocumentReference.securityLabel contains a snapshot of the security labels on the document the reference refers to.

      ShortDocument security-tags
      Comments

      The confidentiality codes can carry multiple vocabulary items. HL7 has developed an understanding of security and privacy tags that might be desirable in a Document Sharing environment, called HL7 Healthcare Privacy and Security Classification System (HCS). The following specification is recommended but not mandated, as the vocabulary bindings are an administrative domain responsibility. The use of this method is up to the policy domain such as the XDS Affinity Domain or other Trust Domain where all parties including sender and recipients are trusted to appropriately tag and enforce.

      In the HL7 Healthcare Privacy and Security Classification (HCS) there are code systems specific to Confidentiality, Sensitivity, Integrity, and Handling Caveats. Some values would come from a local vocabulary as they are related to workflow roles and special projects.

      Control0..*
      BindingUnless not suitable, these codes SHALL be taken from All Security Labelshttp://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/security-labels
      (extensible to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/security-labels)

      Security Labels from the Healthcare Privacy and Security Classification System.

      TypeCodeableConcept
      Is Modifierfalse
      Must Supporttrue
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Use of the Health Care Privacy/Security Classification (HCS) system of security-tag use is recommended.

      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      32. DocumentReference.content
      Definition

      The document and format referenced. There may be multiple content element repetitions, each with a different format.

      ShortDocument referenced
      Control1..*
      TypeBackboneElement
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      34. DocumentReference.content.modifierExtension
      Definition

      May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.

      Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

      ShortExtensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
      Comments

      There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

      Control0..*
      TypeExtension
      Is Modifiertrue because Modifier extensions are expected to modify the meaning or interpretation of the element that contains them
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Modifier extensions allow for extensions that cannot be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored. This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the definition of modifier extensions.

      Alternate Namesextensions, user content, modifiers
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
      36. DocumentReference.content.attachment
      Definition

      The document or URL of the document along with critical metadata to prove content has integrity.

      ShortWhere to access the document
      Control1..1
      TypeAttachment
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))