Virtually Healthcare HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide
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Virtually Healthcare HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide, published by Virtually Healthcare. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 0.1.0-current built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/Virtually-Healthcare/Virtually-Healthcare-FHIR-Implementation-Guide/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: DocumentReference - Detailed Descriptions

Draft as of 2024-11-06

Definitions for the DocumentReference resource profile.

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

0. DocumentReference
2. DocumentReference.identifier
NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Control1..?
Must Supporttrue
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on DocumentReference.identifier. The slices areUnordered and Closed, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • pattern @ system
  • 4. DocumentReference.identifier:CommonResourceIdentifiers
    Slice NameCommonResourceIdentifiers
    ShortCommon Resource Identifiers
    NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
    Control0..*
    TypeIdentifier(Common Resource Identifiers)
    6. DocumentReference.subject
    Control1..?
    TypeReference(Patient)
    8. DocumentReference.subject.identifier
    NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
    TypeIdentifier(NHS, HCSN and CHI Numbers)
    10. DocumentReference.author
    TypeReference(Organization, Practitioner)
    12. DocumentReference.author.identifier
    NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
    TypeIdentifier(UK Professional License, Staff Enterprise Number)

    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.modifierExtension
    Definition

    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).

    ShortExtensions 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..*
    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())
    6. 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..*
    TypeIdentifier
    Is Modifierfalse
    Must Supporttrue
    Summarytrue
    Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
    SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on DocumentReference.identifier. The slices areUnordered and Closed, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
    • pattern @ system
    • 8. DocumentReference.identifier:CommonResourceIdentifiers
      Slice NameCommonResourceIdentifiers
      Definition

      An identifier - identifies some entity uniquely and unambiguously. Typically this is used for business identifiers.


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

      ShortCommon Resource IdentifiersOther identifiers for the document
      NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
      Control0..*
      This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
      TypeIdentifier(Common Resource Identifiers)
      Is Modifierfalse
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      10. 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
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      12. DocumentReference.subject
      Definition

      Who or what the document is about. The document can be about a person, (patient or healthcare practitioner), a device (e.g. a machine) or even a group of subjects (such as a document about a herd of farm animals, or a set of patients that share a common exposure).

      ShortWho/what is the subject of the document
      Control10..1
      TypeReference(Patient, Patient, Practitioner, Group, Device)
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      14. DocumentReference.subject.identifier
      Definition

      An identifier - identifies some entity uniquely and unambiguously. Typically this is used for business identifiers.


      An identifier for the target resource. This is used when there is no way to reference the other resource directly, either because the entity it represents is not available through a FHIR server, or because there is no way for the author of the resource to convert a known identifier to an actual location. There is no requirement that a Reference.identifier point to something that is actually exposed as a FHIR instance, but it SHALL point to a business concept that would be expected to be exposed as a FHIR instance, and that instance would need to be of a FHIR resource type allowed by the reference.

      ShortAn identifier intended for computationLogical reference, when literal reference is not known
      Comments

      When an identifier is provided in place of a reference, any system processing the reference will only be able to resolve the identifier to a reference if it understands the business context in which the identifier is used. Sometimes this is global (e.g. a national identifier) but often it is not. For this reason, none of the useful mechanisms described for working with references (e.g. chaining, includes) are possible, nor should servers be expected to be able resolve the reference. Servers may accept an identifier based reference untouched, resolve it, and/or reject it - see CapabilityStatement.rest.resource.referencePolicy.

      When both an identifier and a literal reference are provided, the literal reference is preferred. Applications processing the resource are allowed - but not required - to check that the identifier matches the literal reference

      Applications converting a logical reference to a literal reference may choose to leave the logical reference present, or remove it.

      Reference is intended to point to a structure that can potentially be expressed as a FHIR resource, though there is no need for it to exist as an actual FHIR resource instance - except in as much as an application wishes to actual find the target of the reference. The content referred to be the identifier must meet the logical constraints implied by any limitations on what resource types are permitted for the reference. For example, it would not be legitimate to send the identifier for a drug prescription if the type were Reference(Observation|DiagnosticReport). One of the use-cases for Reference.identifier is the situation where no FHIR representation exists (where the type is Reference (Any).

      NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
      Control0..1
      This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
      TypeIdentifier(NHS, HCSN and CHI Numbers)
      Is Modifierfalse
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      16. DocumentReference.author
      Definition

      Identifies who is responsible for adding the information to the document.

      ShortWho and/or what authored the document
      Comments

      Not necessarily who did the actual data entry (i.e. typist) or who was the source (informant).

      Control0..*
      TypeReference(Organization, Practitioner, Practitioner, PractitionerRole, Organization, Device, Patient, RelatedPerson)
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      18. DocumentReference.author.identifier
      Definition

      An identifier - identifies some entity uniquely and unambiguously. Typically this is used for business identifiers.


      An identifier for the target resource. This is used when there is no way to reference the other resource directly, either because the entity it represents is not available through a FHIR server, or because there is no way for the author of the resource to convert a known identifier to an actual location. There is no requirement that a Reference.identifier point to something that is actually exposed as a FHIR instance, but it SHALL point to a business concept that would be expected to be exposed as a FHIR instance, and that instance would need to be of a FHIR resource type allowed by the reference.

      ShortAn identifier intended for computationLogical reference, when literal reference is not known
      Comments

      When an identifier is provided in place of a reference, any system processing the reference will only be able to resolve the identifier to a reference if it understands the business context in which the identifier is used. Sometimes this is global (e.g. a national identifier) but often it is not. For this reason, none of the useful mechanisms described for working with references (e.g. chaining, includes) are possible, nor should servers be expected to be able resolve the reference. Servers may accept an identifier based reference untouched, resolve it, and/or reject it - see CapabilityStatement.rest.resource.referencePolicy.

      When both an identifier and a literal reference are provided, the literal reference is preferred. Applications processing the resource are allowed - but not required - to check that the identifier matches the literal reference

      Applications converting a logical reference to a literal reference may choose to leave the logical reference present, or remove it.

      Reference is intended to point to a structure that can potentially be expressed as a FHIR resource, though there is no need for it to exist as an actual FHIR resource instance - except in as much as an application wishes to actual find the target of the reference. The content referred to be the identifier must meet the logical constraints implied by any limitations on what resource types are permitted for the reference. For example, it would not be legitimate to send the identifier for a drug prescription if the type were Reference(Observation|DiagnosticReport). One of the use-cases for Reference.identifier is the situation where no FHIR representation exists (where the type is Reference (Any).

      NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
      Control0..1
      This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
      TypeIdentifier(UK Professional License, Staff Enterprise Number)
      Is Modifierfalse
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      20. 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()))
      22. 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())
      24. 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()))

      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.id
      Definition

      The logical id of the resource, as used in the URL for the resource. Once assigned, this value never changes.

      ShortLogical id of this artifact
      Comments

      The only time that a resource does not have an id is when it is being submitted to the server using a create operation.

      Control0..1
      Typeid
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      4. DocumentReference.meta
      Definition

      The metadata about the resource. This is content that is maintained by the infrastructure. Changes to the content might not always be associated with version changes to the resource.

      ShortMetadata about the resource
      Control0..1
      TypeMeta
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      6. 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()))
      8. DocumentReference.language
      Definition

      The base language in which the resource is written.

      ShortLanguage of the resource content
      Comments

      Language is provided to support indexing and accessibility (typically, services such as text to speech use the language tag). The html language tag in the narrative applies to the narrative. The language tag on the resource may be used to specify the language of other presentations generated from the data in the resource. Not all the content has to be in the base language. The Resource.language should not be assumed to apply to the narrative automatically. If a language is specified, it should it also be specified on the div element in the html (see rules in HTML5 for information about the relationship between xml:lang and the html lang attribute).

      Control0..1
      BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from CommonLanguages
      (preferred to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/languages)

      A human language.

      Additional BindingsPurpose
      AllLanguagesMax Binding
      Typecode
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summaryfalse
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      10. DocumentReference.text
      Definition

      A human-readable narrative that contains a summary of the resource and can be used to represent the content of the resource to a human. The narrative need not encode all the structured data, but is required to contain sufficient detail to make it "clinically safe" for a human to just read the narrative. Resource definitions may define what content should be represented in the narrative to ensure clinical safety.

      ShortText summary of the resource, for human interpretation
      Comments

      Contained resources do not have narrative. Resources that are not contained SHOULD have a narrative. In some cases, a resource may only have text with little or no additional discrete data (as long as all minOccurs=1 elements are satisfied). This may be necessary for data from legacy systems where information is captured as a "text blob" or where text is additionally entered raw or narrated and encoded information is added later.

      Control0..1
      TypeNarrative
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summaryfalse
      Alternate Namesnarrative, html, xhtml, display
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      12. 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..*
      TypeResource
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summaryfalse
      Alternate Namesinline resources, anonymous resources, contained resources
      14. DocumentReference.extension
      Definition

      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.

      ShortAdditional 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.

      Control0..*
      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())
      16. DocumentReference.modifierExtension
      Definition

      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).

      ShortExtensions 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..*
      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())
      18. DocumentReference.masterIdentifier
      Definition

      Document identifier as assigned by the source of the document. This identifier is specific to this version of the document. This unique identifier may be used elsewhere to identify this version of the document.

      ShortMaster Version Specific Identifier
      Comments

      CDA Document Id extension and root.

      Control0..1
      TypeIdentifier
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      The structure and format of this Id shall be consistent with the specification corresponding to the formatCode attribute. (e.g. for a DICOM standard document a 64-character numeric UID, for an HL7 CDA format a serialization of the CDA Document Id extension and root in the form "oid^extension", where OID is a 64 digits max, and the Id is a 16 UTF-8 char max. If the OID is coded without the extension then the '^' character shall not be included.).

      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      20. 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)
      Control1..*
      TypeIdentifier
      Is Modifierfalse
      Must Supporttrue
      Summarytrue
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on DocumentReference.identifier. The slices areUnordered and Closed, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
      • pattern @ system
      • 22. DocumentReference.identifier:CommonResourceIdentifiers
        Slice NameCommonResourceIdentifiers
        Definition

        An identifier - identifies some entity uniquely and unambiguously. Typically this is used for business identifiers.

        ShortCommon Resource Identifiers
        NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
        Control0..*
        This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
        TypeIdentifier(Common Resource Identifiers)
        Is Modifierfalse
        Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
        24. 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 DocumentReferenceStatus
        (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
        Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
        26. 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..1
        BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from CompositionStatus
        (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()))
        28. DocumentReference.type
        Definition

        Specifies the particular kind of document referenced (e.g. History and Physical, Discharge Summary, Progress Note). This usually equates to the purpose of making the document referenced.

        ShortKind of document (LOINC if possible)
        Comments

        Key metadata element describing the document that describes he exact type of document. Helps humans to assess whether the document is of interest when viewing a list of documents.

        Control0..1
        BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from DocumentTypeValueSet
        (preferred to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/c80-doc-typecodes)

        Precise type of clinical document.

        TypeCodeableConcept
        Is Modifierfalse
        Summarytrue
        Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
        30. DocumentReference.category
        Definition

        A categorization for the type of document referenced - helps for indexing and searching. This may be implied by or derived from the code specified in the DocumentReference.type.

        ShortCategorization of document
        Comments

        Key metadata element describing the the category or classification of the document. This is a broader perspective that groups similar documents based on how they would be used. This is a primary key used in searching.

        Control0..*
        BindingFor example codes, see DocumentClassValueSet
        (example to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/document-classcodes)

        High-level kind of a clinical document at a macro level.

        TypeCodeableConcept
        Is Modifierfalse
        Summarytrue
        Alternate Namesclaxs
        Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
        32. DocumentReference.subject
        Definition

        Who or what the document is about. The document can be about a person, (patient or healthcare practitioner), a device (e.g. a machine) or even a group of subjects (such as a document about a herd of farm animals, or a set of patients that share a common exposure).

        ShortWho/what is the subject of the document
        Control1..1
        TypeReference(Patient)
        Is Modifierfalse
        Summarytrue
        Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
        34. DocumentReference.subject.id
        Definition

        Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

        ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
        Control0..1
        Typestring
        Is Modifierfalse
        XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
        Summaryfalse
        36. DocumentReference.subject.extension
        Definition

        May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. 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.

        ShortAdditional 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.

        Control0..*
        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.subject.extension. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
        • value @ url
        • 38. DocumentReference.subject.reference
          Definition

          A reference to a location at which the other resource is found. The reference may be a relative reference, in which case it is relative to the service base URL, or an absolute URL that resolves to the location where the resource is found. The reference may be version specific or not. If the reference is not to a FHIR RESTful server, then it should be assumed to be version specific. Internal fragment references (start with '#') refer to contained resources.

          ShortLiteral reference, Relative, internal or absolute URL
          Comments

          Using absolute URLs provides a stable scalable approach suitable for a cloud/web context, while using relative/logical references provides a flexible approach suitable for use when trading across closed eco-system boundaries. Absolute URLs do not need to point to a FHIR RESTful server, though this is the preferred approach. If the URL conforms to the structure "/[type]/[id]" then it should be assumed that the reference is to a FHIR RESTful server.

          Control0..1
          This element is affected by the following invariants: ref-1
          Typestring
          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()))
          40. DocumentReference.subject.type
          Definition

          The expected type of the target of the reference. If both Reference.type and Reference.reference are populated and Reference.reference is a FHIR URL, both SHALL be consistent.

          The type is the Canonical URL of Resource Definition that is the type this reference refers to. References are URLs that are relative to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/ e.g. "Patient" is a reference to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Patient. Absolute URLs are only allowed for logical models (and can only be used in references in logical models, not resources).

          ShortType the reference refers to (e.g. "Patient")
          Comments

          This element is used to indicate the type of the target of the reference. This may be used which ever of the other elements are populated (or not). In some cases, the type of the target may be determined by inspection of the reference (e.g. a RESTful URL) or by resolving the target of the reference; if both the type and a reference is provided, the reference SHALL resolve to a resource of the same type as that specified.

          Control0..1
          BindingUnless not suitable, these codes SHALL be taken from ResourceType
          (extensible to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/resource-types)

          Aa resource (or, for logical models, the URI of the logical model).

          Typeuri
          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()))
          42. DocumentReference.subject.identifier
          Definition

          An identifier - identifies some entity uniquely and unambiguously. Typically this is used for business identifiers.

          ShortAn identifier intended for computation
          Comments

          When an identifier is provided in place of a reference, any system processing the reference will only be able to resolve the identifier to a reference if it understands the business context in which the identifier is used. Sometimes this is global (e.g. a national identifier) but often it is not. For this reason, none of the useful mechanisms described for working with references (e.g. chaining, includes) are possible, nor should servers be expected to be able resolve the reference. Servers may accept an identifier based reference untouched, resolve it, and/or reject it - see CapabilityStatement.rest.resource.referencePolicy.

          When both an identifier and a literal reference are provided, the literal reference is preferred. Applications processing the resource are allowed - but not required - to check that the identifier matches the literal reference

          Applications converting a logical reference to a literal reference may choose to leave the logical reference present, or remove it.

          Reference is intended to point to a structure that can potentially be expressed as a FHIR resource, though there is no need for it to exist as an actual FHIR resource instance - except in as much as an application wishes to actual find the target of the reference. The content referred to be the identifier must meet the logical constraints implied by any limitations on what resource types are permitted for the reference. For example, it would not be legitimate to send the identifier for a drug prescription if the type were Reference(Observation|DiagnosticReport). One of the use-cases for Reference.identifier is the situation where no FHIR representation exists (where the type is Reference (Any).

          NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
          Control0..1
          This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
          TypeIdentifier(NHS, HCSN and CHI Numbers)
          Is Modifierfalse
          Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
          44. DocumentReference.subject.display
          Definition

          Plain text narrative that identifies the resource in addition to the resource reference.

          ShortText alternative for the resource
          Comments

          This is generally not the same as the Resource.text of the referenced resource. The purpose is to identify what's being referenced, not to fully describe it.

          Control0..1
          Typestring
          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()))
          46. 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.

          Control0..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()))
          48. DocumentReference.author
          Definition

          Identifies who is responsible for adding the information to the document.

          ShortWho and/or what authored the document
          Comments

          Not necessarily who did the actual data entry (i.e. typist) or who was the source (informant).

          Control0..*
          TypeReference(Organization, Practitioner)
          Is Modifierfalse
          Summarytrue
          Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
          50. DocumentReference.author.id
          Definition

          Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

          ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
          Control0..1
          Typestring
          Is Modifierfalse
          XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
          Summaryfalse
          52. DocumentReference.author.extension
          Definition

          May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. 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.

          ShortAdditional 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.

          Control0..*
          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.author.extension. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
          • value @ url
          • 54. DocumentReference.author.reference
            Definition

            A reference to a location at which the other resource is found. The reference may be a relative reference, in which case it is relative to the service base URL, or an absolute URL that resolves to the location where the resource is found. The reference may be version specific or not. If the reference is not to a FHIR RESTful server, then it should be assumed to be version specific. Internal fragment references (start with '#') refer to contained resources.

            ShortLiteral reference, Relative, internal or absolute URL
            Comments

            Using absolute URLs provides a stable scalable approach suitable for a cloud/web context, while using relative/logical references provides a flexible approach suitable for use when trading across closed eco-system boundaries. Absolute URLs do not need to point to a FHIR RESTful server, though this is the preferred approach. If the URL conforms to the structure "/[type]/[id]" then it should be assumed that the reference is to a FHIR RESTful server.

            Control0..1
            This element is affected by the following invariants: ref-1
            Typestring
            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()))
            56. DocumentReference.author.type
            Definition

            The expected type of the target of the reference. If both Reference.type and Reference.reference are populated and Reference.reference is a FHIR URL, both SHALL be consistent.

            The type is the Canonical URL of Resource Definition that is the type this reference refers to. References are URLs that are relative to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/ e.g. "Patient" is a reference to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/Patient. Absolute URLs are only allowed for logical models (and can only be used in references in logical models, not resources).

            ShortType the reference refers to (e.g. "Patient")
            Comments

            This element is used to indicate the type of the target of the reference. This may be used which ever of the other elements are populated (or not). In some cases, the type of the target may be determined by inspection of the reference (e.g. a RESTful URL) or by resolving the target of the reference; if both the type and a reference is provided, the reference SHALL resolve to a resource of the same type as that specified.

            Control0..1
            BindingUnless not suitable, these codes SHALL be taken from ResourceType
            (extensible to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/resource-types)

            Aa resource (or, for logical models, the URI of the logical model).

            Typeuri
            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()))
            58. DocumentReference.author.identifier
            Definition

            An identifier - identifies some entity uniquely and unambiguously. Typically this is used for business identifiers.

            ShortAn identifier intended for computation
            Comments

            When an identifier is provided in place of a reference, any system processing the reference will only be able to resolve the identifier to a reference if it understands the business context in which the identifier is used. Sometimes this is global (e.g. a national identifier) but often it is not. For this reason, none of the useful mechanisms described for working with references (e.g. chaining, includes) are possible, nor should servers be expected to be able resolve the reference. Servers may accept an identifier based reference untouched, resolve it, and/or reject it - see CapabilityStatement.rest.resource.referencePolicy.

            When both an identifier and a literal reference are provided, the literal reference is preferred. Applications processing the resource are allowed - but not required - to check that the identifier matches the literal reference

            Applications converting a logical reference to a literal reference may choose to leave the logical reference present, or remove it.

            Reference is intended to point to a structure that can potentially be expressed as a FHIR resource, though there is no need for it to exist as an actual FHIR resource instance - except in as much as an application wishes to actual find the target of the reference. The content referred to be the identifier must meet the logical constraints implied by any limitations on what resource types are permitted for the reference. For example, it would not be legitimate to send the identifier for a drug prescription if the type were Reference(Observation|DiagnosticReport). One of the use-cases for Reference.identifier is the situation where no FHIR representation exists (where the type is Reference (Any).

            NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
            Control0..1
            This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
            TypeIdentifier(UK Professional License, Staff Enterprise Number)
            Is Modifierfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            60. DocumentReference.author.display
            Definition

            Plain text narrative that identifies the resource in addition to the resource reference.

            ShortText alternative for the resource
            Comments

            This is generally not the same as the Resource.text of the referenced resource. The purpose is to identify what's being referenced, not to fully describe it.

            Control0..1
            Typestring
            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()))
            62. DocumentReference.authenticator
            Definition

            Which person or organization authenticates that this document is valid.

            ShortWho/what authenticated the document
            Comments

            Represents a participant within the author institution who has legally authenticated or attested the document. Legal authentication implies that a document has been signed manually or electronically by the legal Authenticator.

            Control0..1
            TypeReference(Practitioner, PractitionerRole, Organization)
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            64. DocumentReference.custodian
            Definition

            Identifies the organization or group who is responsible for ongoing maintenance of and access to the document.

            ShortOrganization which maintains the document
            Comments

            Identifies the logical organization (software system, vendor, or department) to go to find the current version, where to report issues, etc. This is different from the physical location (URL, disk drive, or server) of the document, which is the technical location of the document, which host may be delegated to the management of some other organization.

            Control0..1
            TypeReference(Organization)
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            66. 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
            Summarytrue
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            68. DocumentReference.relatesTo.id
            Definition

            Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

            ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
            Control0..1
            Typestring
            Is Modifierfalse
            XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
            Summaryfalse
            70. DocumentReference.relatesTo.extension
            Definition

            May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. 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.

            ShortAdditional 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.

            Control0..*
            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())
            72. 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())
            74. 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 DocumentRelationshipType
            (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()))
            76. 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()))
            78. DocumentReference.description
            Definition

            Human-readable description of the source document.

            ShortHuman-readable description
            Comments

            What the document is about, a terse summary of the document.

            Control0..1
            Typestring
            Is Modifierfalse
            Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
            Summarytrue
            Requirements

            Helps humans to assess whether the document is of interest.

            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            80. 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 Labels
            (extensible to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/security-labels)

            Security Labels from the Healthcare Privacy and Security Classification System.

            TypeCodeableConcept
            Is Modifierfalse
            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()))
            82. 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()))
            84. DocumentReference.content.id
            Definition

            Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

            ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
            Control0..1
            Typestring
            Is Modifierfalse
            XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
            Summaryfalse
            86. DocumentReference.content.extension
            Definition

            May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. 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.

            ShortAdditional 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.

            Control0..*
            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())
            88. 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())
            90. 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()))
            92. DocumentReference.content.format
            Definition

            An identifier of the document encoding, structure, and template that the document conforms to beyond the base format indicated in the mimeType.

            ShortFormat/content rules for the document
            Comments

            Note that while IHE mostly issues URNs for format types, not all documents can be identified by a URI.

            Control0..1
            BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from DocumentReferenceFormatCodeSet
            (preferred to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/formatcodes)

            Document Format Codes.

            TypeCoding
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summarytrue
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            94. DocumentReference.context
            Definition

            The clinical context in which the document was prepared.

            ShortClinical context of document
            Comments

            These values are primarily added to help with searching for interesting/relevant documents.

            Control0..1
            TypeBackboneElement
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summarytrue
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            96. DocumentReference.context.id
            Definition

            Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

            ShortUnique id for inter-element referencing
            Control0..1
            Typestring
            Is Modifierfalse
            XML FormatIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
            Summaryfalse
            98. DocumentReference.context.extension
            Definition

            May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. 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.

            ShortAdditional 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.

            Control0..*
            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())
            100. DocumentReference.context.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())
            102. DocumentReference.context.encounter
            Definition

            Describes the clinical encounter or type of care that the document content is associated with.

            ShortContext of the document content
            Control0..*
            TypeReference(Encounter, EpisodeOfCare)
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            104. DocumentReference.context.event
            Definition

            This list of codes represents the main clinical acts, such as a colonoscopy or an appendectomy, being documented. In some cases, the event is inherent in the type Code, such as a "History and Physical Report" in which the procedure being documented is necessarily a "History and Physical" act.

            ShortMain clinical acts documented
            Comments

            An event can further specialize the act inherent in the type, such as where it is simply "Procedure Report" and the procedure was a "colonoscopy". If one or more event codes are included, they shall not conflict with the values inherent in the class or type elements as such a conflict would create an ambiguous situation.

            Control0..*
            BindingFor example codes, see v3 Code System ActCode
            (example to http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v3-ActCode)

            This list of codes represents the main clinical acts being documented.

            TypeCodeableConcept
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            106. DocumentReference.context.period
            Definition

            The time period over which the service that is described by the document was provided.

            ShortTime of service that is being documented
            Control0..1
            TypePeriod
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summarytrue
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            108. DocumentReference.context.facilityType
            Definition

            The kind of facility where the patient was seen.

            ShortKind of facility where patient was seen
            Control0..1
            BindingFor example codes, see FacilityTypeCodeValueSet
            (example to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/c80-facilitycodes)

            XDS Facility Type.

            TypeCodeableConcept
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            110. DocumentReference.context.practiceSetting
            Definition

            This property may convey specifics about the practice setting where the content was created, often reflecting the clinical specialty.

            ShortAdditional details about where the content was created (e.g. clinical specialty)
            Comments

            This element should be based on a coarse classification system for the class of specialty practice. Recommend the use of the classification system for Practice Setting, such as that described by the Subject Matter Domain in LOINC.

            Control0..1
            BindingFor example codes, see PracticeSettingCodeValueSet
            (example to http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/c80-practice-codes)

            Additional details about where the content was created (e.g. clinical specialty).

            TypeCodeableConcept
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Requirements

            This is an important piece of metadata that providers often rely upon to quickly sort and/or filter out to find specific content.

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

            The Patient Information as known when the document was published. May be a reference to a version specific, or contained.

            ShortPatient demographics from source
            Control0..1
            TypeReference(Patient)
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            114. DocumentReference.context.related
            Definition

            Related identifiers or resources associated with the DocumentReference.

            ShortRelated identifiers or resources
            Comments

            May be identifiers or resources that caused the DocumentReference or referenced Document to be created.

            Control0..*
            TypeReference(Resource)
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summaryfalse
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))