HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide: Transversal Clinical Core
1.0.1 - STU1 Belgium flag

HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide: Transversal Clinical Core, published by eHealth Platform. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 1.0.1 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/hl7-be/core-clinical/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

Data Type Profile: BeObservationCodeableConcept - Detailed Descriptions

Active as of 2024-12-16 Maturity Level: 1

Definitions for the be-observationcodeableconcept data type profile.

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

0. CodeableConcept
2. CodeableConcept.coding
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on CodeableConcept.coding. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • value @ system
  • 4. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC
    Slice NameLOINC
    Control0..*
    6. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.system
    Control1..?
    Fixed Valuehttp://loinc.org
    8. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.code
    Control1..?
    10. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT
    Slice NameSNOMED-CT
    Control0..*
    12. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.system
    Control1..?
    Fixed Valuehttp://snomed.info/sct
    14. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.code
    Control1..?

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

    0. CodeableConcept
    Definition

    A concept that may be defined by a formal reference to a terminology or ontology or may be provided by text.

    ShortConcept - reference to a terminology or just text
    Comments

    Not all terminology uses fit this general pattern. In some cases, models should not use CodeableConcept and use Coding directly and provide their own structure for managing text, codings, translations and the relationship between elements and pre- and post-coordination.

    Control0..*
    This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
    Is Modifierfalse
    Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
    2. CodeableConcept.coding
    Definition

    A reference to a code defined by a terminology system.

    ShortCode defined by a terminology system
    Comments

    Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true.

    Control0..*
    TypeCoding
    Is Modifierfalse
    Summarytrue
    Requirements

    Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems.

    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 CodeableConcept.coding. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
    • value @ system
    • 4. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC
      Slice NameLOINC
      Definition

      A reference to a code defined by a terminology system.

      ShortCode defined by a terminology system
      Comments

      Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true.

      Control0..*
      TypeCoding
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems.

      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      6. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.system
      Definition

      The identification of the code system that defines the meaning of the symbol in the code.

      ShortIdentity of the terminology system
      Comments

      The URI may be an OID (urn:oid:...) or a UUID (urn:uuid:...). OIDs and UUIDs SHALL be references to the HL7 OID registry. Otherwise, the URI should come from HL7's list of FHIR defined special URIs or it should reference to some definition that establishes the system clearly and unambiguously.

      Control10..1
      Typeuri
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Need to be unambiguous about the source of the definition of the symbol.

      Fixed Valuehttp://loinc.org
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      8. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.code
      Definition

      A symbol in syntax defined by the system. The symbol may be a predefined code or an expression in a syntax defined by the coding system (e.g. post-coordination).

      ShortSymbol in syntax defined by the system
      Control10..1
      Typecode
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Need to refer to a particular code in the system.

      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      10. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT
      Slice NameSNOMED-CT
      Definition

      A reference to a code defined by a terminology system.

      ShortCode defined by a terminology system
      Comments

      Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true.

      Control0..*
      TypeCoding
      Is Modifierfalse
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems.

      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      12. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.system
      Definition

      The identification of the code system that defines the meaning of the symbol in the code.

      ShortIdentity of the terminology system
      Comments

      The URI may be an OID (urn:oid:...) or a UUID (urn:uuid:...). OIDs and UUIDs SHALL be references to the HL7 OID registry. Otherwise, the URI should come from HL7's list of FHIR defined special URIs or it should reference to some definition that establishes the system clearly and unambiguously.

      Control10..1
      Typeuri
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Need to be unambiguous about the source of the definition of the symbol.

      Fixed Valuehttp://snomed.info/sct
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      14. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.code
      Definition

      A symbol in syntax defined by the system. The symbol may be a predefined code or an expression in a syntax defined by the coding system (e.g. post-coordination).

      ShortSymbol in syntax defined by the system
      Control10..1
      Typecode
      Is Modifierfalse
      Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
      Summarytrue
      Requirements

      Need to refer to a particular code in the system.

      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. CodeableConcept
      Definition

      A concept that may be defined by a formal reference to a terminology or ontology or may be provided by text.

      ShortConcept - reference to a terminology or just text
      Comments

      Not all terminology uses fit this general pattern. In some cases, models should not use CodeableConcept and use Coding directly and provide their own structure for managing text, codings, translations and the relationship between elements and pre- and post-coordination.

      Control0..*
      This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
      Is Modifierfalse
      Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
      2. CodeableConcept.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
      4. CodeableConcept.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 CodeableConcept.extension. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
      • value @ url
      • 6. CodeableConcept.coding
        Definition

        A reference to a code defined by a terminology system.

        ShortCode defined by a terminology system
        Comments

        Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true.

        Control0..*
        TypeCoding
        Is Modifierfalse
        Summarytrue
        Requirements

        Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems.

        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 CodeableConcept.coding. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
        • value @ system
        • 8. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC
          Slice NameLOINC
          Definition

          A reference to a code defined by a terminology system.

          ShortCode defined by a terminology system
          Comments

          Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true.

          Control0..*
          TypeCoding
          Is Modifierfalse
          Summarytrue
          Requirements

          Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems.

          Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
          10. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.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
          12. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.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 CodeableConcept.coding.extension. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
          • value @ url
          • 14. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.system
            Definition

            The identification of the code system that defines the meaning of the symbol in the code.

            ShortIdentity of the terminology system
            Comments

            The URI may be an OID (urn:oid:...) or a UUID (urn:uuid:...). OIDs and UUIDs SHALL be references to the HL7 OID registry. Otherwise, the URI should come from HL7's list of FHIR defined special URIs or it should reference to some definition that establishes the system clearly and unambiguously.

            Control1..1
            Typeuri
            Is Modifierfalse
            Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
            Summarytrue
            Requirements

            Need to be unambiguous about the source of the definition of the symbol.

            Fixed Valuehttp://loinc.org
            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            16. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.version
            Definition

            The version of the code system which was used when choosing this code. Note that a well-maintained code system does not need the version reported, because the meaning of codes is consistent across versions. However this cannot consistently be assured, and when the meaning is not guaranteed to be consistent, the version SHOULD be exchanged.

            ShortVersion of the system - if relevant
            Comments

            Where the terminology does not clearly define what string should be used to identify code system versions, the recommendation is to use the date (expressed in FHIR date format) on which that version was officially published as the version date.

            NoteThis is a business version Id, not a resource version Id (see discussion)
            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()))
            18. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.code
            Definition

            A symbol in syntax defined by the system. The symbol may be a predefined code or an expression in a syntax defined by the coding system (e.g. post-coordination).

            ShortSymbol in syntax defined by the system
            Control1..1
            Typecode
            Is Modifierfalse
            Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
            Summarytrue
            Requirements

            Need to refer to a particular code in the system.

            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            20. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.display
            Definition

            A representation of the meaning of the code in the system, following the rules of the system.

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

            Need to be able to carry a human-readable meaning of the code for readers that do not know the system.

            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            22. CodeableConcept.coding:LOINC.userSelected
            Definition

            Indicates that this coding was chosen by a user directly - e.g. off a pick list of available items (codes or displays).

            ShortIf this coding was chosen directly by the user
            Comments

            Amongst a set of alternatives, a directly chosen code is the most appropriate starting point for new translations. There is some ambiguity about what exactly 'directly chosen' implies, and trading partner agreement may be needed to clarify the use of this element and its consequences more completely.

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

            This has been identified as a clinical safety criterium - that this exact system/code pair was chosen explicitly, rather than inferred by the system based on some rules or language processing.

            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            24. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT
            Slice NameSNOMED-CT
            Definition

            A reference to a code defined by a terminology system.

            ShortCode defined by a terminology system
            Comments

            Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true.

            Control0..*
            TypeCoding
            Is Modifierfalse
            Summarytrue
            Requirements

            Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems.

            Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
            26. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.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
            28. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.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 CodeableConcept.coding.extension. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
            • value @ url
            • 30. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.system
              Definition

              The identification of the code system that defines the meaning of the symbol in the code.

              ShortIdentity of the terminology system
              Comments

              The URI may be an OID (urn:oid:...) or a UUID (urn:uuid:...). OIDs and UUIDs SHALL be references to the HL7 OID registry. Otherwise, the URI should come from HL7's list of FHIR defined special URIs or it should reference to some definition that establishes the system clearly and unambiguously.

              Control1..1
              Typeuri
              Is Modifierfalse
              Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
              Summarytrue
              Requirements

              Need to be unambiguous about the source of the definition of the symbol.

              Fixed Valuehttp://snomed.info/sct
              Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
              32. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.version
              Definition

              The version of the code system which was used when choosing this code. Note that a well-maintained code system does not need the version reported, because the meaning of codes is consistent across versions. However this cannot consistently be assured, and when the meaning is not guaranteed to be consistent, the version SHOULD be exchanged.

              ShortVersion of the system - if relevant
              Comments

              Where the terminology does not clearly define what string should be used to identify code system versions, the recommendation is to use the date (expressed in FHIR date format) on which that version was officially published as the version date.

              NoteThis is a business version Id, not a resource version Id (see discussion)
              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()))
              34. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.code
              Definition

              A symbol in syntax defined by the system. The symbol may be a predefined code or an expression in a syntax defined by the coding system (e.g. post-coordination).

              ShortSymbol in syntax defined by the system
              Control1..1
              Typecode
              Is Modifierfalse
              Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
              Summarytrue
              Requirements

              Need to refer to a particular code in the system.

              Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
              36. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.display
              Definition

              A representation of the meaning of the code in the system, following the rules of the system.

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

              Need to be able to carry a human-readable meaning of the code for readers that do not know the system.

              Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
              38. CodeableConcept.coding:SNOMED-CT.userSelected
              Definition

              Indicates that this coding was chosen by a user directly - e.g. off a pick list of available items (codes or displays).

              ShortIf this coding was chosen directly by the user
              Comments

              Amongst a set of alternatives, a directly chosen code is the most appropriate starting point for new translations. There is some ambiguity about what exactly 'directly chosen' implies, and trading partner agreement may be needed to clarify the use of this element and its consequences more completely.

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

              This has been identified as a clinical safety criterium - that this exact system/code pair was chosen explicitly, rather than inferred by the system based on some rules or language processing.

              Invariantsele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
              40. CodeableConcept.text
              Definition

              A human language representation of the concept as seen/selected/uttered by the user who entered the data and/or which represents the intended meaning of the user.

              ShortPlain text representation of the concept
              Comments

              Very often the text is the same as a displayName of one of the codings.

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

              The codes from the terminologies do not always capture the correct meaning with all the nuances of the human using them, or sometimes there is no appropriate code at all. In these cases, the text is used to capture the full meaning of the source.

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