DraftCDAR2.1.a

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HL7 Clinical Document Architecture, Release 2.1

For Comment Only Ballot May 2017

Role HL7 Member Role HL7 Member
Co-Chair / Primary Editor

Calvin Beebe
Mayo Clinic
cbeebe@mayo.edu

Co-chair / Co-Editor / Modeling Facilitator

Austin Kreisler
Leidos, Inc.
AUSTIN.J.KREISLER@leidos.com

Co-chair

Benjamin Flessner
Epic
Benjamin@epic.com

Co-chair

Brett Marquard
River Rock Associates
brett@riverrockassociates.com

Co-chair

Gay Dolin MSN RN
Intelligent Medical Objects (IMO)
gdolin@imo-online.com

Co-chair

Rick Geimer
Lantana Consulting Group
rick.geimer@lantanagroup.com

Co-Editor / Vocabulary Facilitator

Robert Hausam MD
Hausam Consulting LLC<br. rrhausam@gmail.com

Co-Editor

Jeff Brown
American Society of Clinical Oncology's CancerLinQ
jeff.brown@CancerLinQ.org

Co-Editor / Publication Facilitator

Andy Stechishin
CANA Software & Services
andy.stechishin@gmail.com

Return to master table of contents

Contents

1 CDA Overview

1.1 What is the CDA

The HL7 Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) is a document markup standard that specifies the structure and semantics of "clinical documents" for the purpose of exchange. A clinical document is a documentation of clinical observations and services, with the following characteristics:

  • Persistence – A clinical document continues to exist in an unaltered state, for a time period defined by local and regulatory requirements (NOTE: There is a distinct scope of persistence for a clinical document, independent of the persistence of any XML-encoded CDA document instance).
  • Stewardship – A clinical document is maintained by an organization entrusted with its care.
  • Potential for authentication - A clinical document is an assemblage of information that is intended to be legally authenticated.
  • Context - A clinical document establishes the default context for its contents.
  • Wholeness - Authentication of a clinical document applies to the whole and does not apply to portions of the document without the full context of the document.
  • Human readability – A clinical document is human readable.

A CDA document is a defined and complete information object that can include text, images, sounds, and other multimedia content.

1.1.1 Key aspects of the CDA

Key aspects of the CDA include:

  • CDA documents are encoded in Extensible Markup Language (XML). (NOTE: When alternate implementations are feasible, suitable conformance requirements will be issued so that in future the syntax may not be limited to XML.)
  • CDA documents derive their machine processable meaning from the HL7 Reference Information Model (RIM) and use the HL7 Version 3 Data Types Release 1.0.
  • The CDA specification is richly expressive and flexible. Document-level, section-level and entry-level templates can be used to constrain the generic CDA specification (see The "A" in "CDA" and Section 4 CDA Implementation Guides .

1.1.2 Scope of the CDA

The scope of the CDA is the standardization of clinical documents for exchange.

The data format of clinical documents outside of the exchange context (e.g., the data format used to store clinical documents) is not addressed in this specification.

CDA documents can be transmitted using a variety of techniques, E.g. HL7 2.x messages, V3.0 messages, FHIR messages, Direct and Exchange solutions, etc. While the detailed specification for such messages and solutions are outside of the scope of the CDA, this specification does impose requirements upon the packaging of CDA documents in all of these and other contexts (see CDA Document Exchange).

The CDA does not specify the creation or management of documents, only their exchange markup. While it may be possible to directly use the CDA Schema in a document authoring environment, such use is not the primary purpose of the CDA specification.

Document management is critically interdependent with the CDA specifications, but the specification of document management messages is outside the scope of the CDA. (For more on this, see Relationship of the CDA to HL7 Messaging Standards).

NOTE: Several committees are developing structured document specifications that overlap in part with the CDA specification. The Structured Documents Technical Committee, in collaboration with Publishing and these other committees, is developing a Structured Documents Infrastructure chapter to clarify these relationships which should be available in upcoming editions.

1.1.3 Goals and Design Principles

The goals of the CDA are:

  • Give priority to delivery of patient care.
  • Allow cost effective implementation across as wide a spectrum of systems as possible.
  • Support exchange of human-readable documents between users, including those with different levels of technical sophistication.
  • Promote longevity of all information encoded according to this architecture.
  • Enable a wide range of post-exchange processing applications.
  • Be compatible with a wide range of document creation applications.
  • Promote exchange that is independent of the underlying transfer or storage mechanism.
  • Prepare the design reasonably quickly.
  • Enable policy-makers to control their own information requirements without extension to this specification.

A number of design principles follow from consideration of the above goals:

  • This architecture must be compatible with XML and the HL7 RIM.
  • This architecture must be compatible with representations of clinical information arising from other HL7 committees.
  • Technical barriers to use of the architecture should be minimized.
  • The architecture specifies the representation of instances required for exchange.
  • The architecture should impose minimal constraints or requirements on document structure and content required for exchange.
  • The architecture must be scalable to accommodate fine-grained markup such as highly structured text and coded data.
  • Document specifications based on this architecture should accommodate such constraints and requirements as supplied by appropriate professional, commercial, and regulatory agencies.
  • Document specifications for document creation and processing, if intended for exchange, should map to this exchange architecture.
  • CDA documents must be human readable using widely-available and commonly-deployed XML-aware browsers and print drivers and a generic CDA style sheet written in a standard style sheet language.
  • Use open standards.

1.2 General CDA Concepts

1.2.1 Major Components of a CDA Document

This section serves as a high-level introduction to the major components of a CDA document, all of which are described again and in greater detail later on. The intent here is to familiarize the reader with the high-level concepts to facilitate an understanding of the sections that follow.

Major components of a prototypic CDA document are shown in the following skeletal example. (Note that many required components are missing to simplify the example. See Samples for a detailed conformant example).

A CDA document is wrapped by the <ClinicalDocument> element, and contains a header (see Header) and a body (see Body). The header lies between the <ClinicalDocument> and the <structuredBody> elements, and identifies and classifies the document and provides information on authentication, the encounter, the patient, and the involved providers.

The body contains the clinical report, and can be either an unstructured blob, or can be comprised of structured markup. The example shows a structured body, which is wrapped by the <structuredBody> element, and which is divided up into recursively nestable document sections.

A CDA document section is wrapped by the <section> element. Each section can contain a single narrative block (see Section Narrative Block), and any number of CDA entries (see Entry Acts) and external references.

The CDA narrative block is wrapped by the <text> element within the <section> element, and must contain the human readable content to be rendered. See also Human Readability and Rendering CDA Documents and CDA Conformance for principles governing the representation of the narrative block, and conformance requirements on the part of originators when populating the block, and recipients when rendering it.

Within a document section, the narrative block represents content to be rendered, whereas CDA entries represent structured content provided for further computer processing (e.g. decision support applications). CDA entries typically encode content present in the narrative block of the same section. The example shows two <observation> CDA entries, and a <substanceAdministration> entry containing a nested <supply> entry, although several other CDA entries are defined.

CDA entries can nest and they can reference external objects. CDA external references always occur within the context of a CDA entry. External references refer to content that exists outside this CDA document - such as some other image, some other procedure, or some other observation (which is wrapped by the <externalObservation> element). Externally referenced material is not covered by the authentication of the document referencing it.

Example X
<ClinicalDocument>
  ... CDA Header ...
  <structuredBody>
    <section>
      <text>...</text>
      <observation>...</observation>
      <substanceAdministration>
        <supply>...</supply>
      </substanceAdministration>
      <observation>
        <externalObservation>...
        </externalObservation>
      </observation>
    </section>
    <section>
        <section>...</section>
    </section>
  </structuredBody>
</ClinicalDocument>

1.2.2 The "A" in "CDA"

The notion of CDA "levels" in CDA, Release One anticipated a hierarchical set of XML DTDs or XML Schemas to achieve the goals enumerated above (see Goals and Design Principles). This hierarchy formed an "architecture", hence the "A" in "CDA".

While the notion of levels in CDA, Release Two remains constant, the approach to representing the hierarchies has changed. The current specification consists of a single CDA XML Schema, and the architecture arises from the ability to apply one or more of a hierarchical set of HL7 Templates, which serve to constrain the richness and flexibility of CDA.

The RIM's InfrastructureRoot class contains an attribute, templateId, which is available for use in CDA. Where templateId(s) have been defined within a CDA document instance, the constraints contained within the template are assumed to be imposed. See Section 4 CDA Templating for more details.
There is no requirement that CDA must be constrained, however implementations that use structured data elements to drive automated processes will typically reference templates found in CDA Implementation Guide(s). The use of entry-level templates enables the semantic interoperability of any structured content found in documents exchanged.

There are many kinds of HL7 Templates that might be created. Among them, three are particularly relevant for clinical documents: (1) those that constrain the document content or document-level templates, (2) those that constrain content expected in sections or section-level templates and (3) those that constrain the entries within document sections or entry-level templates. Additional templates can be defined as needed to enable consistency in demographic data found within a document of names, addresses and telecom references or phone numbers.

Table X: Evolution of CDA "levels" from CDA, Release One to CDA, Release Two
CDA, Release One CDA, Release Two
CDA Level One The unconstrained CDA.
CDA Level Two The CDA specification with section-level templates applied.
CDA Level Three The CDA specification with entry-level (and optionally section-level) templates applied.

An illustration of one possible hierarchy of CDA plus HL7 Templates is shown here:

Example X
  • CDA Schema
    • CDA Schema :: Progress Note section-level template applied.
      • CDA Schema :: Progress Note section-level and Vital Signs entry-level template applied.
        • CDA Schema :: Endocrinology Progress Note section-level and Vital Signs entry-level template applied.
        • CDA Schema :: Progress Note section-level and ICU Vital Signs entry-level template applied.
    • CDA Schema :: Cardiology Progress Note section-level template applied
    • CDA Schema :: Cardiology Progress Note section-level and Cardiac Exam entry-level template applied.
    • CDA Schema :: Endocrinology Progress Note section-level template applied.
    • CDA Schema :: Endocrinology Progress Note section-level and Vital Signs entry-level template applied.

1.2.3 Human Readability and Rendering CDA Documents

The CDA requirement for human readability guarantees that a receiver of a CDA document can algorithmically display the clinical content of the note on a standard Web browser. CDA, Release 2.1, with its blend of narrative and CDA entries, presents challenges to this requirement. Among the requirements affecting the design of CDA Release 2.1 are the following:

  • There must be a deterministic way for a recipient of an arbitrary CDA document to render the attested content.
    • Authenticated documents, need to convey with fidelity the clinical content reviewed by the legal and other authenticator(s).
    • Documents which are not authenticated, (e.g. Continuity of Care Document, other generated documents) need to ensure that receivers are able to accurately interpret the clinical content contained in the document and its associated entries.
  • Human readability shall not require a sender to transmit a special style sheet along with a CDA document. It must be possible to render all CDA documents with a single style sheet and general-market display tools.
  • Human readability applies to the authenticated narrative content. There may be additional information conveyed in the document that is there primarily for machine processing that is not authenticated and need not be rendered.
  • When structured content is derived from narrative, there must be a mechanism to describe the process (e.g. by author, by human coder, by natural language processing algorithm, by specific software) by which machine-processable portions were derived from a block of narrative.
  • When narrative is derived from structured content, there must be a mechanism to identify the process by which narrative was generated from structured data.

These principles and requirements have led to the current approach, where the material to be rendered is placed into the Section.text field (see Section Narrative Block). The content model of this field is specially hand crafted to meet the above requirements, and corresponds closely to the content model of sections in CDA, Release One. Structured observations can reference narrative content in the Section.text field. Multimedia observations are encoded outside the Section.text field, and the <renderMultiMedia> tag within the Section.text field provides an outgoing pointer that indicates where the referenced multimedia should be rendered.

1.2.4 XML Markup of CDA Documents

XML markup of CDA documents is prescribed in this specification. CDA instances are valid against the CDA Schema and may be subject to additional validation (see CDA Conformance). There is no prohibition against multiple schema languages (e.g., W3C, DTD, RELAXNG), as long as conforming instances are compatible.

Design Principles of the CDA Schema include:

  • General Requirements: The design of the CDA Schema follows the more general requirements for CDA (see Goals and Design Principles).
  • CDA Schema and V3 Implementation Technology Specification (ITS) : The CDA Schema will follow the general V3 XML ITS.
  • RIM Mapping: The CDA Schema describes the style of XML markup of CDA instances for the purpose of exchange. It cannot be understood outside the context of this defining specification. At the same time, the CDA Schema is useful on its own for implementation purposes even though it is not intended to replicate or take the place of the R-MIM and HD. The CDA Schema, then, is not, in and of itself, an adequate map between conforming instance and the HL7 RIM. Semantic interoperability of CDA instances requires use and knowledge of the CDA Schema, R-MIM and HD as well as the corresponding RIM.
  • Document Analysis: The CDA Schema and conformant instances should adhere to the requirements of document analysis in derivation of the content model.
    NOTE: Document analysis is a process that might be thought of as the document equivalent of a use case. Document analysis looks at a single instance or class of documents and analyzes their structure and content, often representing this as a tree structure "elm" notation. Document analysis also looks at the business rules for the lifecycle of that document or document class. Traditionally, document analysis determines the content model and overall structure and style of XML.
    Document analysis is an iterative step in content model derivation -- the "bottom up" approach to complement the "top down" derivation from the RIM. This will ensure that schemas and instances are not only RIM-derived, but represent recognizable artifacts in a simple manner.
  • Forward and Backward Compatibility: The CDA Schema should adhere to the requirements for forward and backward compatibility. (See Backwards and Forwards Compatibility)
  • Naming: While XML markup, by definition, is for machine processing, it should be optimized for human review, debug, and design. The CDA Schema is not "self-documenting", but meaning should be clear from tag name and documentation (e.g., mapping to RIM). The human-language sense of a tag name should not be counterintuitive.
  • Vocabulary: Vocabulary can be enumerated within the CDA Schema or in an external, referenced source. It is preferable to enumerate it when the vocabulary terms are both limited (not too large in number) and stable (not subject to change between ballot cycles). Where vocabulary is either too large or is subject to change, it is preferable to maintain it external to the CDA Schema and incorporate it by reference. In these cases, XML schema validation will not suffice for conformance.

1.2.5 Security, Confidentiality, and Data Integrity

Application systems sending and receiving CDA documents are responsible for meeting all legal requirements for document authentication, confidentiality, and retention. For communications over public media, cryptographic techniques for source/recipient authentication and secure transport of encapsulated documents may be required, and should be addressed with commercially available tools outside the scope of this standard.

The CDA does provide confidentiality status information to aid application systems in managing access to sensitive data. Confidentiality status may apply to the entire document or to specified segments of the document.

1.2.6 Relationship of the CDA to HL7 Messaging Standards

A CDA document is a defined and complete information object that can exist outside of a messaging context and/or can be a payload within an HL7 message (see CDA Document Exchange in HL7 Messages). Thus, the CDA complements HL7 messaging specifications.

Clinical documents can be revised, and they can be appended to existing documents. Ideally, an updated document would declare itself as obsolete, and would contain an explicit pointer to a more recent version. This would lessen the chances of a healthcare provider basing treatment decisions on erroneous or incomplete data.

In practice, however, it is impossible to guarantee an explicit forward pointer from an outdated version to the newer version. Without a process that tracks the chain of custody of clinical documents and all of their copies, there can be no way to guarantee that a clinical document being viewed has not been subsequently revised.

To minimize the risk of viewing superseded information, there is a critical interdependence between clinical documents and document management systems. If CDA documents are viewed outside the context of a document management system, it cannot be known with certainty whether or not the viewed document has been revised. HL7 messages that carry CDA documents (such as the MDM messages in HL7 V2.x and the HL7 V3 Medical Records messages) convey critical contextual information that ensures accurate viewing of clinical data.

1.3 CDA Conformance

NOTE: See HL7 V3 Refinement and Localization for a complete discussion of V3 conformance.

A conformant CDA document is one that at a minimum validates against the CDA Schema, and that restricts its use of coded vocabulary to values allowable within the specified vocabulary domains. However a computer cannot validate every aspect of conformance. The focus of this section is to highlight these aspects of CDA that cannot be machine validated - particularly those aspects related to the CDA human readability requirements.

A document originator is an application role that creates a CDA document. CDA documents can be created via transformation from some other format, as a direct output of an authoring application, etc. The document originator often is responsible for communicating with a persistent storage location, often using HL7 V2 MDM or HL7 V3 Medical Records messages. The document originator is responsible for ensuring that generated CDA documents are fully conformant to this specification.

A document recipient is an application role that receives status updates and documents from a document originator or document management system. The document recipient is responsible for ensuring that received CDA documents are rendered in accordance to this specification.

Because CDA is an exchange standard and may not represent the original form of a document, there are no persistent storage requirements for CDA documents defined in this standard. However, as noted above (see Relationship of the CDA to HL7 Messaging Standards), document management is critically interdependent with the CDA specification. The custodian identified in the CDA header (see custodian) is the participant charged with maintaining the original document, which may be in some form other than CDA.

1.3.1 Recipient Responsibilities

  • Assume default values where they are defined in this specification, and where the instance does not contain a value : Where CDA defines default values, the recipient must assume these values in the event that no value is contained in a CDA instance. (NOTE: These values have been identified as having Minimum Cardinality = 0 and code binding = "Fixed" or "Closed w/ Default".)
  • Parse and interpret the complete CDA header : A recipient of a CDA document must be able to parse and interpret the complete CDA header. Because applications may choose to display demographic and other CDA header data drawn from a central master directory, the rendering of the CDA document header is at the discretion of the recipient. In addition, rendering of the CDA document header can be dependent on local business practice and context of use (e.g. electronic health record, de-identified scenario). Where a document originator wants to suggest a rendering, they can include one or more XML style sheets with an exchanged CDA document. Use of these style sheets is at the discretion of the recipient.
  • Parse and interpret the CDA body sufficiently to be able to render it : A recipient of a CDA document must be able to parse and interpret the body of a CDA document sufficiently to be able to render it, using the following rendering rules:
    • If the CDA Body is non-XML, it will need to be rendered with a software tool that recognizes its particular MIME media type.
    • If the CDA Body is structured, the label of a section, as conveyed in the Section.title component, must be rendered. The absence of the Section.title component signifies an unlabeled section.
    • If the CDA Body is structured, the contents of the Section.text field must rendered per the rules defined in Section Narrative Block.
  • A recipient of a CDA document is not required to parse and interpret the complete set of CDA entries contained within the CDA body. Within a local implementation, trading partners may ascribe additional recipient responsibilities to parse and interpret various entries.
  • A recipient of a CDA document is not required to validate a CDA document against referenced templates. Within a local implementation, trading partners may ascribe additional recipient responsibilities for template validation.

1.3.2 Originator Responsibilities

  • Properly construct CDA Narrative Blocks : An originator of a CDA document must ensure that the attested portion of the document body is structured such that a recipient, adhering to the recipient responsibilities above, will correctly render the document. This includes:
    • If the CDA Body is structured, the label of a section must be conveyed in the Section.title component. The absence of the Section.title component signifies an unlabeled section.
    • If the CDA Body is structured, the attested narrative contents of a section must be placed in the Section.text field, regardless of whether information is also conveyed in CDA entries. Attested multimedia referenced in the narrative must be added as ObservationMedia and/or RegionOfInterest CDA entries.
    • If the CDA Body is structured, the contents of the Section.text field must be created per the rules defined in Section Narrative Block.
  • An originator of a CDA document is not required to fully encode all narrative into CDA entries within the CDA body. Within a local implementation, trading partners may ascribe additional originator responsibilities to create various entries.

1.4 CDA Extensibility

NOTE: See XML ITS - Informal Extensions for a complete discussion of V3 XML Extensibility rules.

Locally-defined markup may be used when local semantics have no corresponding representation in the CDA specification. CDA seeks to standardize the highest level of shared meaning while providing a clean and standard mechanism for tagging meaning that is not shared. In order to support local extensibility requirements, it is permitted to include additional XML elements and attributes that are not included in the CDA schema. These extensions should not change the meaning of any of the standard data items, and receivers must be able to safely ignore these elements. Document recipients must be able to faithfully render the CDA document while ignoring extensions.

Extensions may be included in the instance in a namespace other than the HL7v3 namespace, but must not be included within an element of type ED (e.g., <text> within <procedure>) since the contents of an ED datatype within the conformant document may be in a different namespace. Since all conformant content (outside of elements of type ED) is in the HL7 namespace, the sender can put any extension content into a foreign namespace (any namespace other than the HL7 namespace). Receiving systems must not report an error if such extensions are present.

When these extension mechanisms mark up content of general relevance, HL7 encourages users to get their requirements formalized in a subsequent version of the standard so as to maximize the use of shared semantics.

2 Introduction to CDA Technical Artifacts

A complete understanding of CDA requires an understanding of the normative artifacts used to define the specification. For CDA R2.1, "Section 5 - CDA Design" will be considered the definitive source for CDA conformance rules, this differs from CDA R2.0 where the HMD was considered the source. We believe this change has no impact on backwards/forwards compatibility. With this revision, the contents of Section 5 have been created based on the the CDA R2.1 RMIM and the CDA specific conformance strategy that allows some attributes to be assumed by receivers, thus reducing document size. Readers are encouraged to reference the CDA RMIM (diagram) and the CDA Hierarchical Description (spreadsheet), as well as other sections of the CDA standard, to better understand CDA and best practices using CDA. Implementers need to understand that while a CDA instance must validate against the CDA Schema, it must also need to adhere to the conformance rules called out in Section 5. Be aware that not all rules can be defined for CDA are found in it's W3C schema; requirements for human readability, and appropriate representation of clinical content, are just some examples. As in CDA R2, the HL7 RIM remains the definitive source for class and attribute definitions.

The following sections summarize the artifacts used by CDA, and how they can be used by those seeking to implement or understand the CDA specification.

2.1 HL7 Reference Information Model

The definitive description of the HL7 Reference Information Model can be found here.

The HL7 RIM is the definitive reference source for class and attribute definitions. The CDA specification does not exhaustively replicate RIM definitions, but instead refers the reader to the RIM for complete definitions. While CDA may further constrain RIM definitions, at no time will CDA definitions conflict with those in the RIM.

CDA, Release Two is derived from HL7 RIM, Version 2.35.

Where a reader needs to see the complete definition of a RIM attribute or class, they should refer to the HL7 RIM.

2.2 HL7 V3 Data Types

HL7 defines both an abstract data type specification, which is the definitive reference, and an XML-specific data type representation.

Data types define the structural format of the data carried within a RIM attribute and influence the set of allowable values an attribute may assume. Some data types have very little intrinsic semantic content. However HL7 also defines more extensive data types such as the one for an entity's name. Every attribute in the RIM is associated with one and only one data type.

CDA, Release Two uses the HL7 V3 Data Types, Release One abstract and XML-specific specification.

A reader will often find that the XML-specific description of a data type is sufficient for implementation, but at times will want to refer to the abstract data type specification for a more comprehensive discussion.

2.3 Vocabulary Use in CDA

The definitive description of HL7 V3 Vocabulary Domains can be found here.

Vocabulary domains represent value sets for coded CDA components. These domains can include HL7-defined concepts or can be drawn from HL7-recognized coding systems such as LOINC or SNOMED. The HL7 Vocabulary chapter is the definitive reference source for the definitions of HL7-defined concepts. In this specification, references to code bindings using "D:concept-domain" indicates that a concept domain has been specified and the documentation defined in the RIM Vocabulary chapter should be referenced for an understanding of the code systems to be used when creating a CDA document.


Valuesets referenced in CDA R2.1 can be found here. An alternative to Concept Domain binding, the Valueset binding allows for a subset of codes to be bound to a CDA coded attribute. In this specification references to using "V:value set" indicates that a value set has been specified. Note: A number of value set bindings have been specified using "<= code", where the "<=" binding indicates a given code and all subordinate coded concepts defined as "type of" that code, within the code system referenced, are allowed. In Section 5, those bindings are mapped to the equivalent valueset for the readers reference.


Lastly, single code bindings can also be found in CDA R2.1 specification. Where a single code binding is being specified, the specification will indicate "= code" syntax. In Section 5, single code bindings are defined as Fixed bindings, as only the code specified can be used in CDA document instances. A number of these code bindings have a minimum cardinality of zero, as indicated by the [0..1] cardinality reference. In the cases where the code is fixed and the minimum cardinality is zero, instances of CDA conformant documents are not required to include the attribute and code in the instance, as receivers are required to interpret the document instance as though the coded attribute had been sent.


Vocabulary domains have a coding strength that can be "Closed" or "Coded, No Extensions" (CNE), in which case the only allowable values for the CDA component are those in stated value set; or "Open" or "Coded, With Extensions" (CWE), in which case values outside the stated value set can be used if necessary. Every vocabulary domain has a unique HL7-assigned identifier, and every concept within a vocabulary domain has a unique code.

Where a coded CDA component is associated with a Closed or CNE value set, the allowable values are fixed by the standard, and are enumerated as shown in the following example:

Table X: Value set for relatedDocument.typeCode
v:x_ActRelationshipDocument [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11610] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
APND is appendage RPLC replaces
XFRM] transformation
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002


A number of vocabulary domains and coding systems already in existence (e.g., LOINC, SNOMED) may be used to encode concepts in CDA documents (e.g., Section.code, Observation.code). These domains are referenced as external domains according to HL7 V3 processes. Where a coded CDA component is associated with an Open or CWE vocabulary domain, a preferred value set may be specified by the standard (such as for ClinicalDocument.code or for ClinicalDocument.confidentialityCode). Where the standard does not enumerate any values, the implementor is free to choose from any external source, such as LOINC or SNOMED or some other realm-specific vocabulary.

Where a reader needs to see the complete definition of an HL7-defined value, they should refer to the HL7 Vocabulary chapter.

2.4 HL7 CDA R-MIM

The definitive description of the HL7 V3 model refinement process, R-MIM development and interpretation can be found here.

The CDA R-MIM is described below (see CDA R-MIM).

HL7 specifications derived from the HL7 RIM use a process known as "cloning" to refine domain specific models from the base HL7 RIM. When a refined model makes use of a specialization of an HL7 RIM class, the new class in the refined model is known as a clone of the HL7 RIM class. These specializations may further constrain the base class, for example, by specifying more restrictive attribute cardinality or by further constraints on the allowed vocabulary values. Multiple clones of a particular HL7 RIM class may appear in a refined model, each representing a different specialization.

The CDA R-MIM is a graphical representation of the CDA specification. It is presented using diagramming conventions and notations that were developed by HL7 to represent the specific semantic constructs contained in the critical, "back-bone" classes of the RIM. Although it could be represented in UML notation, as the RIM is, the HL7 notation provides more details about the specific constraints and class clones being represented. The HL7 diagramming convention abbreviates some relationship conventions, enabling diagrams to be smaller and more concise and to convey more information visually.

The CDA R-MIM is a graphical aid to understanding the specification. Because the CDA Hierarchical Description, and subsequently the CDA Schema, are derived from the R-MIM, the R-MIM serves as a good basis for describing the standard. The narrative description of the specific clones used by CDA is organized to correspond with the R-MIM.

2.5 HL7 CDA Hierarchical Description

The definitive description of developing and interpreting HL7 Hierarchical Descriptions can be found here.

The CDA HD is described below (see CDA Hierarchical Description).

A Hierarchical Description is a tabular representation of the sequence of elements (i.e., classes, attributes and associations) represented in an R-MIM and that define the structure of the instance without reference to XML or any other implementation technology

The CDA HD is the definitive source for CDA conformance rules, and serves as the source from which the CDA Schema is derived. While a CDA instance must validate against the CDA Schema, it must also adhere to the conformance rules stated in the CDA Hierarchical Description. For CDA, Release 2.1, the CDA HD is uniquely identified by the string "POCD_HD000040UV". As described below (see Clinical Document), this value must be included in a CDA instance to serve as an unambiguous reference to the CDA, Release 2.1 specification.

2.6 HL7 CDA XML Implementation

The CDA Schema is derived through the use of the HL7 XML Implementation Technology Specification (ITS). The definitive description of HL7 XML ITS and the process used to go from Hierarchical Description to Schema can be found here.

The CDA Schema is described below (see CDA XML Implementation).

CDA, Release 2.1 is based on the HL7 V3 XML Implementable Technology Specification for V3 Structures, Release One.

Specific enhancements to the CDA Schema, above and beyond those defined in the HL7 V3 XML ITS, are described below in CDA XML Implementation.

Looking at the CDA R-MIM, a reader familiar with the RIM, the HL7 Development Framework and its rules for XML implementations, can identify the corresponding XML elements and attributes. Due to algorithmic generation of some of the element names, the correspondence may be unclear, and the reader should refer to the HL7 V3 XML ITS for more details.

2.7 Backwards and Forwards Compatibility

NOTE: A detailed list of all changes between CDA, Release 2.0 and CDA, Release 2.1 can be found in the appendix (see Changes from CDA Release 2.0).

CDA Release 2.1 represents a minor dot release enhancement to the CDA Release 2.0 standard. As such, the changes introduced into the CDA R2.1 schema should not generate errors when processing a legacy CDA R2.0 document instance. However, with the inclusion of new RIM attributes and RIM structural vocabulary (Class Codes, Mood Codes and Type Codes) CDA R2.1 will likely require changes to implementation guides previsouly based on CDA R2.0, when citing CDA R2.1 as their base. The enhancements provided are intended to reduce the usage of previous extensions and improve the semantic modeling capabilities found in CDA.

The following updates have been made to the CDA document model, these include, but are not necessary limited to:

  1. CDA R2 errata will be included
  2. Extensions previously required and cited by CDA Implementation Guides
  3. Attributes omitted from the classes derived from the RIM, where use cases exist for their inclusion
  4. Additional values to value sets such as Mood codes, will be considered to ensure consistency with modeling from other committees
  5. The inclusion of tables within tables in the narrative block will be considered as a minor presentation markup change.
  6. Include current language about bindings if appropriate
  7. Additional informative content will be considered for a number of topics:
    1. CDA Implementation Guides and Templating
    2. Vocabulary Binding Syntax in CDA
    3. Exchanging CDA documents

This section describes the types of changes that can be introduced to a new release of CDA and CDA principles of forward and backward compatibility. In general, changes can include the addition of new components; a renaming of components (including XML element and attribute names in the CDA Schema); a deprecation of components defined in a prior release; a change in cardinality of a component (to loosen); or a change in a vocabulary domain of a component {to add or change values, to change between Open (CWE) and Closed (CNE)}. The following set of guiding principles defines how CDA can continue to evolve, while protecting the investment implementers have made through their adoption of earlier releases.

  • Documentation : A new release of CDA will enumerate all substantive changes from the previous release.
  • Attested content : Attested, human readable content must be completely loss-less across CDA releases. Backwards and forwards compatibility on the attested content will be supported such that it will be possible for an automated transformation script to translate the human readable content in both directions.
  • New components : A new release of CDA can introduce new components. To preserve roundtrip translation capability, a translation from the new release to a prior release must represent the new components as extensions (e.g. local markup or local namespace).
  • Renaming : A new release of CDA can rename components (including XML element and attribute names). Where this occurs, a mapping table will list all changes. Renaming will adhere to the naming convention articulated above (see XML Markup of CDA Documents).
  • Deprecated components : A new release of CDA can deprecate components defined in a prior release. Deprecated components will be removed from the subsequent release of the standard, and therefore their use is not recommended.
  • Cardinality : A new release of CDA can change the cardinality of a component. Where an optional component becomes required, a translation between releases requires a dummy value or a null value.
  • Changes to vocabulary domain : A new release of CDA can change the vocabulary domain of a component. Where this occurs, a mapping table will list changes.
  • Change within Closed (CNE) : Where a value in a Closed (CNE) domain in a prior release is no longer present or has been renamed, a mapping table will indicate what the current value should be.
  • Change within Open (CWE) : When a CWE domain is expanded, users should begin using the new codes in addition to any equivalent local codes they may already be using.
  • Change from Open (CWE) to Closed (CNE) : To preserve roundtrip translation capability, a translation between releases must represent unrecognized components as extensions (e.g. local markup or local namespace). Ideally these situations will surface during a ballot cycle, allowing the Closed (CNE) domain to be sufficiently inclusive.

These guiding principles have lead to the current approach, defined in this Release 2.1 of the CDA standard. The goal is to ensure that the documents created using Release 2.0 can be processed by implementation adopting CDA R2.1 (with legacy extension references) with no loss of machine processable content or loss of attested, human-readable content.

3 CDA Document Exchange in HL7 Messages

NOTE: The exact method by which a CDA instance is packaged and exchanged is outside the scope of this standard. While the MIME packaging method described here is not normative, it does illustrate one mechanism that meets the document exchange requirements described below.

Any CDA exchange strategy must accommodate the following requirements:

  • All components of a CDA document that are integral to its state of wholeness (such as attested multimedia) are able to be included in a single exchange package.
  • Content needing to be rendered if exchanging across a firewall where the links won't be traversable, must be able to be included in a single exchange package.
  • Additional files associated with a CDA document to provide the recipient with the sender's rendering suggestions (such as one or more style sheets) are able to be included in a single exchange package.
  • There is no need to change any of the references (e.g., a reference to attested multimedia in a separate file) within the base CDA document when creating the exchange package.
  • There is no need to change any of the references (e.g., a reference to attested multimedia in a separate file) within the base CDA document when extracting the contents of an exchange package.
  • There is no need to change any values of attributes of type XML ID when creating the exchange package.
  • There are no restrictions on the directory structure used by receivers. Receivers can place the components of the CDA document into directories of their choosing.
  • Critical metadata about the CDA instance needed for document management (e.g. document state, document archival status) must be included in the exchange package. (For a complete discussion of clinical document metadata, document management, and HL7 V3 document states and state transitions, refer to the HL7 V3 Medical Records specification).

From the perspective of a V2.x, V3 message and FHIR, a CDA document can be thought of as a multimedia object that can be exchanged as a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME, RFC 2046) package, encoded as an encapsulated data type (ED).

The current MIME recommendation is to follow the approach described in the Internet standard RFC 2557 "MIME Encapsulation of Aggregate Documents, such as HTML (MHTML)", which is the approach for the MIME encapsulations of aggregate documents used by ebXML and DICOM.

3.1 Using HL7 V2.x Messages

In V2.x, CDA documents are to be exchanged in the OBX segment, in any message that can exchange documents (such as MDM). Within the OBX segment, the MIME package is placed in OBX.5 (Field 00573 Observation value), encoded as a V2.x encapsulated data type. The value of OBX.2 (Field 00570 Value Type) should be set to "ED". The value of OBX.3 should be the same as ClinicalDocument.code.

Many fields in the message will overlap in meaning with fields in the CDA document. The following table shows the correspondence between the HL7 V2 MDM message's TXA segment and components of CDA.

Table X: HL7 V2 TXA Segment :: CDA Mapping
TXA Field CDA Component
TXA-2 Document type ClinicalDocument.code
TXA-4 Activity date/time ServiceEvent.effectiveTime
TXA-5 Primary activity provider code/name ServiceEvent performer
TXA-6 Origination date/time ClinicalDocument.effectiveTime
TXA-7 Transcription date/time dataEnterer.time
TXA-9 Originator code/name author
TXA-11 Transcriptionist code/name dataEnterer
TXA-12 Unique document number ClinicalDocument.id
TXA-13 Parent document number ParentDocument.id
TXA-14 Placer order number Order.id
TXA-18 Document confidentiality status ClinicalDocument.confidentialityCode
TXA-22 Authentication person, time stamp authenticator, legalAuthenticator
TXA-23 Distributed copies informationRecipient

The following example shows a non-normative, valid use of RFC 2557 in a V2 message. Several other valid representations are possible.

Example X
MSH|...
EVN|...
PID|...
PV1|...
TXA|...
OBX|1|ED|11492-6^History and Physical^LN||
   ^multipart^related^A^
   MIME-Version: 1.0
   Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="HL7-CDA-boundary";
   type="text/xml"; start="10.12.45567.43"
   Content-Transfer-Encoding: BASE64

   --HL7-CDA-boundary
   Content-Type: text/xml; charset="US-ASCII"
   Content-ID: <10.12.45567.43>

   ... Base 64 of base CDA document, which contains 
      ...
      <observationMedia classCode="OBS" moodCode="EVN">
         <id root="10.23.4567.345"/> 
         <value mediaType="image/jpeg">
            <reference value="left_hand_image.jpeg"/>
         </value>
      </observationMedia>
      ...

   --HL7-CDA-boundary
   Content-ID: <10.23.4567.345>
   Content-Location: canned_left_hand_image.jpeg
   Content-Type: image/JPEG

   ... Base64 image ...

   --HL7-CDA-boundary--

   ...

3.2 Using HL7 V3 Messages

In V3, CDA documents can be exchanged in any message that can exchange documents (such as the HL7 V3 Medical Records messages). The Act.text RIM attribute contains the MIME package, encoded as an encapsulated data type.

As is the case with V2, many fields in the V3 message will overlap in meaning with fields in the CDA document. Since CDA and V3 Medical Records messages derive from a common model, the correspondence is clear, as shown in the following table.

Table X: HL7 V3 Medical Records :: CDA Mapping
HL7 V3 Medical Records Component CDA Component Comments
ClinicalDocument ClinicalDocument Medical Records includes attributes not present in CDA (text, statusCode, availabilityTime, reasonCode, completioncode, storageCode, copyTime); CDA includes attributes not present in Medical Records (title).
authenticator authenticator
legalAuthenticator legalAuthenticator
dataEnterer dataEnterer
EncounterEvent / encounterPerformer encompassingEncounter / encounterParticipant; serviceEvent / performer The Medical Records encounterPerformer is split into two CDA participants.
responsibleParty responsibleParty
custodian custodian
participant participant
informationRecipient informationRecipient
recordTarget recordTarget
author author
subject subject The Medical Records subject is a directory of all subjects listed in the document.
relatedDocument / ParentDocument relatedDocument / parentDocument
documentationOf / Event documentationOf / serviceEvent
inFulfillmentOf / Order inFulfillmentOf / order
componentOf / EncounterEvent componentOf / encompassingEncounter

The following example shows a non-normative, valid use of RFC 2557 in a V3 message. Several other valid representations are possible.

Example X
<someMessage>
  <Act.Code code="11488-4" 
    codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1" 
    displayName="Consultation note"/>
  <Act.text type="multipart/related">
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="HL7-CDA-boundary";
type="text/xml"; start="10.12.45567.43"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: BASE64

--HL7-CDA-boundary
Content-Type: text/xml; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-ID: <10.12.45567.43>

 ... Base 64 of base CDA document, which contains 
  ...
  <observationMedia classCode="OBS" moodcode="EVN">
    <id root="10.23.4567.345"/> 
    <value mediaType="image/jpeg">
      <reference value="left_hand_image.jpeg"/>
    </value>
  </observationMedia>
  ...

--HL7-CDA-boundary
Content-ID: <10.23.4567.345>
Content-Location: canned_left_hand_image.jpeg
Content-Type: image/JPEG

 ... Base64 image ...

--HL7-CDA-boundary--

      </Act.text>
    </someMessage>

3.3 Using HL7 FHIR Services

In FHIR DSTU 2, CDA documents are to be exchanged using the FHIR http://www.hl7.org/FHIR/documentreference.htmlDocumentReference resource. A DocumentReference resource is used to describe a document that is made available to a healthcare system. A document is some sequence of bytes that is identifiable, establishes its own context (e.g., what subject, author, etc. can be displayed to the user), and has defined update management. The DocumentReference resource can be used with any document format that has a recognized mime type and that conforms to this definition.

A client can ask a server to generate a document reference from a document. The server reads the existing document and generates a matching DocumentReference resource, or returns one it has previously generated. Servers may be able to return or generate document references for the following types of documents, FHIR Documents, CDA Documents, or Other Documents.

For CDA documents, the uri returned is a reference to a Binary end-point that returns either a CDA document, or some kind of CDA Package that the server knows how to process (e.g., an IHE .zip, Multipart Mime package)

The operation is initiated by a named query, using _query=generate on the /DocumentReference end-point:


 GET [service-url]/DocumentReference/?_query=generate&uri=:url&...


The "uri" parameter is a relative or absolute reference to one of the document types described above. Other parameters may be supplied:

Name Meaning
persist Whether to store the document at the document end-point (/Document) or not, once it is generated. Value = true or false (default is for the server to decide).

4 CDA Implementation Guides

The Clinical Document Architecture defines a single logical schema, which may be used to instantiate any clinical document for exchange. CDA can be used, by itself, to create such documents, which then can be shared and read by recipients with no problem. However the true utility of CDA to improve interoperability, is only realized when the base CDA standard is further constrained to define specific types of documents and their associated processable clinical statements.

4.1 Benefits of Constraining CDA

There are a number of benefits derived from constraining CDA documents:

  1. Specific types of documents can be defined, instantiated, exchanged and used (E.g. Consult Note, Procedure Note, Continuity of Care Document, ...)
  2. Required and optional sections of a clinical document can be identified (E.g. Reason for Visit, Family History, ...)
  3. Realm specific constraints and conventions can be identified (E.g. US Realm Header, US Address and Patient Naming, ...)
  4. Required and optional entries (machine processable content) can be identified (E.g. Medication Entries, Problem Entries, ...)

In addition to serving as a useful guides for implementers or creators of CDA documents, CDA Implementation Guides with their associated templates can:

  1. Be used to create new document types, by using reusable sections and clinical statement models form previously defined IGs.
  2. Be used to improve consistency across documents, by reusing sections and clinical statement models from previously IGs.
  3. Be used to validate document instance conformance to constants and best practices (Machine Processable Conformance Testing)
  4. Be used by receivers to aid in their processing of complex clinical content, there by improving semantic interoperability.

The Architecture of CDA is demonstrated in the system of reusable constraint models (templates) which have been created, used and reused in various CDA Implementation Guides. Implementation Guides define the constraints or expected additional conformance rules to be applied to document instances beyond those already defined within the CDA standard itself. As such every CDA document expressing conformance to a CDA Implementation Guides is still a CDA document, it simply asserts additional conformance to the constraints defined within an Implementation Guide.

4.2 Structure of CDA Implementation Guides

A CDA Implementation Guide is used package up the set of constraints defined for specific set of CDA document types. Some implementation Guides are for a single document types, while others are used to define sets of documents that share common features or use cases. Overtime, a structure has been established for CDA Implementation Guides.

CDA Implementation Guides generally contain:

  1. Introduction
  2. Additional background information
  3. Shared Templates (Header)
  4. Listing of Document Templates
  5. Listing of Section Templates
  6. Listing of Entry Templates
  7. Shared Templates (Address, Name conventions, etc.)
  8. Listing of all Templates
  9. Listing of all Value Sets
  10. Appendixes

There are generally four types of templates defined in a CDA Implementation Guide. Note that each element in the CDA Schema supports a templateId, therefore templates can be defined, as needed, anywhere they are required.

4.3 Templates on CDA

As can be seen, there are many kinds of templates that might be created. Among them, the most common are:

  • Document-level templates: These templates constrain fields in the CDA header, and define containment relationships to CDA sections. For example, a History and Physical document-level template might require that the patient’s name be present, and that the document contain a Physical Exam section.
  • Section-level templates: These templates constrain fields in the CDA section, and define containment relationships to CDA entries. For example, a Physical Exam section-level template might require that the section/code be fixed to a particular LOINC code, and that the section contains a Systolic Blood Pressure observation.
  • Entry-level templates: These templates constrain the CDA clinical statement model in accordance with real-world observations and acts. For example, a Systolic Blood Pressure entry-level template defines how the CDA Observation class is constrained (how to populate observation/code, how to populate observation/value, etc.) to represent the notion of a systolic blood pressure.
  • Other templates: Templates that exist to establish a set of constraints that are reused in the CDA document. These other templates are only used within another template, rather than on their own as a complete clinical statement. For example, US Realm Date and Time (DTM.US.FIELDED) includes a set of common constraints for recording time. This template is referenced several times with other templates used in the implementation guide. They reduce the need to repeat constraints in templates that use the common set.

A CDA implementation guide includes references to those template versions that are applicable.

4.3.1 Template Identifiers

Each template specified in a CDA Implementation Guide will have an associated template identifier. Those identifiers can be placed in a CDA instance via the "templateId" to indicate where it wants to assert conformance to a given template version. On the receiving side, the recipient can then not only test the instance for conformance against the CDA Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema, but also test the instance for conformance against asserted templates.

4.3.2 Template Versioning

A new version of an existing implementation guide reuses templates from the previous version. During the ballot phase or update phase, templates carry the designation “Published” to indicate the template is unchanged from the previous version or “Draft” to indicate a new or revised template. Substantial revisions to previously published templates are indicated by the version number (V2, V3, etc.) in all phases: ballot, update, and published guides.

If there are no substantive changes to a template that has been successfully published, the template will carry the same templateId/@root (identifier oid) and templateId/@extension as in the previous implementation guide. (In the case of older templates, the @extension attribute will not be present.) During a new ballot or update phase, “Published” is appended to the main heading for the template to indicate that the template cannot be commented on in the ballot or update. The “Published” designation is removed in the final publication versions.

A revised version of a previously published template keeps the same templateId/@root as the previous version but is assigned a new templateId/@extension. The notation “(Vn)” (V2, V3, etc.) is also added to the template name. Versions are not necessarily forward or backward compatible. A versioning may be due to substantive changes in the template or because a contained template has changed. The “(Vn)” designation is persistent; it appears with that template when it is used in subsequent guides. During a new ballot or update phase, “Draft” is appended to the main heading for the template to indicate that it may be voted on in the ballot or commented on in the update; the “Draft” designation is removed in the final publication versions.

Structured Documents Working Group collaborated with Templates Working Group to establish template versioning recommendations, recently published in the following specification: HL7 Templates Standard: Specification and Use of Reusable Information Constraint Templates, Release 1. SDWG will leverage that specification to create guidance for template IDs and template versioning for future CDA implementation guides, including future versions of C-CDA, but that work is still in progress. The versioning approach used in this version of C-CDA is likely to be close to the final guidance, but has not been formally approved by SDWG for all implementation guides at this time.

Each version of a template has a status. For example, a template version can be draft, active, or deprecated, etc. The HL7 Templates DSTU describes the various status states that may apply to a template version over the course of its lifecycle. Each version of a template has an associated status. Thus, one version of a template may be deprecated, while a newer version of that template may be draft or active.

4.3.3 Open and Closed Templates

In open templates, all of the features of the CDA R2 base specification are allowed except as constrained by the templates. By contrast, a closed template specifies everything that is allowed and nothing further may be included.

Estimated Date of Delivery (templateId 2.16.840.1.113883.10.20.15.3.1) as defined in C-CDA R2.1 is an example of a closed template. Open templates allow HL7 implementers to develop additional structured content not constrained within this guide. HL7 encourages implementers to bring their use cases forward as candidate requirements to be formalized in a subsequent version of the standard to maximize the use of shared semantics.

4.4 Conformance Statements

Each template defined within a CDA Implementation Guide, will contain one or more conformance statements. Each conformance statement will have a conformance identifier, (CONF:####), identify a conformance verb, SHALL, SHOULD, MAY, etc.), identify the element or attribute that is the subject or context of the conformance constraint and define one or more constraint(s) to be imposed on that item. Constraints can specify cardinality, allowed use of nullFlavors, various types of attribute binding, inclusive of single code, value set and concept domain binding for code types and allowed specializations on data type usage. In general constrains can be defined as needed to ensure that implementers and receivers of CDA documents can semantically interpret and process the clinical content.

4.4.1 Conformance Verbs (Keywords)

The keywords SHALL, SHOULD, MAY, NEED NOT, SHOULD NOT, and SHALL NOT represent the set of conformance verbs that can be asserted on conformance statements. They are to be interpreted as described in the HL7 Version 3 Publishing Facilitator's Guide.

  • SHALL: an absolute requirement
  • SHALL NOT: an absolute prohibition against inclusion
  • SHOULD/SHOULD NOT: best practice or recommendation. There may be valid reasons to ignore an item, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course
  • MAY/NEED NOT: truly optional; can be included or omitted as the author decides with no implications

The keyword "SHALL" allows the use of nullFlavor unless the requirement is on an attribute or the use of nullFlavor is explicitly precluded. When conformance statements are nested (or have subordinate clauses) the conformance statements are to be read and interpreted in hierarchical order. These hierarchical clauses can be interpreted as "if then, else" clauses. Thus...

a. This structuredBody SHOULD contain zero or one [0..1] component (CONF:1098-29066) such that it
i. SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] Plan of Treatment Section (V2)
(identifier: urn:hl7ii:2.16.840.1.113883.10.20.22.2.10:2014-06-09) (CONF:1098-29067).

...is understood as:

a. It is recommended (SHOULD) that the structureBody contains a component.
i. If the component exists, then it must contain a Plan of Treatment Section (V2),
ii. else the component does not exist, and the conformance statement about the Plan of Treatment Section (V2)
should be skipped.

In the case where the higher level conformance statement is a SHALL, there is no conditional clause. Thus...

b. This structuredBody SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] component (CONF:1098-29086) such that it
i. SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] Problem Section (entries required) (V2)
(identifier: urn:hl7ii:2.16.840.1.113883.10.20.22.2.5.1:2014-06-09) (CONF:1098-29087).

...means that the structuredBody is always required to have a component.

4.4.2 Cardinality Constraints

The cardinality indicator (0..1, 1..1, 1..*, etc.) specifies the allowable occurrences within a document instance. The cardinality indicators are interpreted with the following format “m…n” where m represents the least and n the most:

  • 0..1 zero or one
  • 1..1 exactly one
  • 1..* at least one
  • 0..* zero or more
  • 1..n at least one and not more than n

When a constraint has subordinate clauses, the scope of the cardinality of the parent constraint must be clear. In the next figure, the constraint says exactly one participant is to be present. The subordinate constraint specifies some additional characteristics of that participant.

1. SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] participant (CONF:2777).
    a. This participant SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] @typeCode="LOC" 
       (CodeSystem: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90 HL7ParticipationType) (CONF:2230).

In the next figure, the constraint says only one participant “like this” is to be present. Other participant elements are not precluded by this constraint.

1. SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] participant (CONF:2777) such that it
   a. SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] @typeCode="LOC" 
      (CodeSystem: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90 HL7ParticipationType) (CONF:2230).

4.4.2.1 Optional and Required with Cardinality

The terms optional and required describe the lower bound of cardinality as follows:

Optional means that the number of allowable occurrences of an element may be 0; the cardinality will be expressed as [0..1] or [0..*] or similar. In these cases, the element may not be present in the instance. Conformances formulated with MAY or SHOULD are both considered "optional" conformances.

Required means that the number of allowable occurrences of an element must be at least 1; the cardinality will be expressed as [m..n], where m >=1 and n >=1 (for example, [1..1] or [1..*]). In these cases, the element must be present in the instance. Conformance statements formulated with SHALL are required conformances. If an element is required but it is not known, the @nullFlavor attribute must be used.

4.4.3 Data Types

All data types used in a CDA document are defined in the HL7 Version 3 Standard: XML Implementation Technology Specification - Data Types, R1 (Release: 2.35). All attributes of a data type are allowed unless explicitly prohibited by implementation guides.

4.4.4 Vocabulary Binding

The templates in a CDA Implementation Guide can use terms from several code systems. These vocabularies are defined in various supporting specifications and may be maintained by other bodies, as is the case for the LOINC® and SNOMED CT® vocabularies.

4.4.4.1 Code Binding

Example: Single Code Binding

2. SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] code (CONF:15403).
   a) This code SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] @code="11450-4" Problem List (CONF:15408).
   b) This code SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] @codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1"
       (CodeSystem: LOINC 2.16.840.1.113883.6.1 STATIC) (CONF: 31141).

The notation conveys the actual code (11450-4), the code’s displayName (Problem List), the OID of the codeSystem from which the code is drawn (2.16.840.1.113883.6.1), and the codeSystemName (LOINC).

HL7 Data Types Release 1 requires the codeSystem attribute unless the underlying data type is “Coded Simple” or “CS”, in which case it is prohibited. The displayName and the codeSystemName are optional, but recommended.

The above example would be properly expressed as follows.

Figure: XML Expression of a Single-Code Binding


or best practice recommendation:


4.4.4.2 ValueSet Binding

Value set bindings should adhere to HL7 Vocabulary Working Group best practices, and include both an indication of stability and of coding strength for the binding. Value set bindings can be STATIC, meaning that they bind to a specified version of a value set, or DYNAMIC, meaning that they bind to the most current version of the value set. If a STATIC binding is specified, a date SHALL be included to indicate the value set version. If a DYNAMIC binding is specified, the value set authority and link to the base definition of the value set SHALL be included, if available, so implementers can access the current version of the value set. When a vocabulary binding binds to a single code, as previously depicted, the stability of the binding is implicitly STATIC.

 9. SHALL contain exactly one [1..1] value with @xsi:type="CD", where the code SHOULD be selected 
     from ValueSet Problem urn:oid:2.16.840.1.113883.3.88.12.3221.7.4 DYNAMIC (CONF:1198-9058).

Figure: XML Expression of a Value-Set Binding

   <value xsi:type="CD"  code="233604007"  codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96"  displayName="Pneumonia" />

Note that value set identifiers (e.g., ValueSet Problem urn:oid:2.16.840.1.113883.3.88.12.3221.7.4 DYNAMIC) used in the binding definitions of template conformance statements do not appear in the XML instance of a CDA document. The definition of the template must be referenced to determine or validate the vocabulary conformance requirements of the template.

A full discussion of the representation of vocabulary is outside the scope of this document; for more information, see the HL7 V3 Normative Edition 2010 sections on Abstract Data Types and XML Data Types R1.

4.4.5 Readable Conformance

The presentation of the conformance statements within a CDA Implementation Guide has slowly evolved over time. As all conformance requirements are typically captured using one of a number the profiling tools available within he industry, two patterns have established themselves within the industry. Tabular and narrative presentation models of representation are both currently in use. The HL7 Templates Standard: Specification and Use of Reusable Information Constraint Templates, Release 1 (DSTU) provides an excellent resource for those wanting to know more about templating and the current best practices.

4.5 Machine Processsable Conformance

When a CDA document instance is validated against the CDA R2.1 schema, it has demonstrated conformance to the CDA standard in it's usage of XML proper elements and attributes as defined in the schema. There are additional conformance requirements, but in essence the document instance would likely be viewable using any one of a number of CDA stylesheet that are available for viewing CDA documents.

However, when a document is defined which declares conformance to an implementation guide, it does so, by the inclusion of templateId values. Thus, when a CDA document is received it can validated against the conformance claims in the associated CDA Implementation Guide. Thankfully, just as the human readable conformance has developed over the years, so has the ability to express conformance constraints in machine processable formats.

4.5.1 Benefits of Processable Conformance

One of the obvious benefits of having machine processable conformance with CDA documents, is the ability to perform automatic validation of the secondary conformance constraints asserted in a given CDA document instance against the associated conformance statements in a CDA implementation guide(s). This ability also enables the exchange of CDA documents which both can be read and processed to extract clinical statements as needed. Without additional conformance claims, and automated testing of those claims, receivers of CDA documents would have significant difficultly attempting to process descrete data.

4.5.2 Machine Processable Strategies

A number of different strategies have been employed in the automated validation of secondary conformance claims found in CDA Implementation Guides. In general, the choice of tool used to create an Implementation Guide will determine the means by which conformance will be validates. The typical strategies are:

  1. Schematron - conformance statements are converted into a set of processable X-Path expressions which test conformance in a CDA instance using XSLt processing.
  2. JAVA code - conformance statements are used to generate JAVA code which is used to read and validate the document instance into an object model.

5 CDA Design

NOTE: The definitive description of HL7 V3 model refinement, R-MIM development and interpretation can be found here.

The CDA R-MIM POCD_RM000040 can be found here: Link to wide graphic (opens in a new window)

A CDA document is comprised of a header and a body. The header identifies and classifies the document; provides information on authentication, the encounter, the patient, and the provider; and sets the context for the document as a whole. The body contains the clinical report, and is conceptually divided up into nested sections, each containing a narrative block to be rendered along with structured entries and external references.

5.1 Clinical Document

The ClinicalDocument class is the entry point into the CDA R-MIM, and corresponds to the <ClinicalDocument> XML element that is the root element of a CDA document instance. This section will outline the CDA Document's physical design, first in the header and then the body.

A CDA document is logically broken up into a CDA Header and a CDA Body. The CDA Header is comprised of ClinicalDocument attributes, participants, and act relationships. The CDA Body is the target of the ClinicalDocument component act relationship.

5.2 Header

The purpose of the CDA header is to enable clinical document exchange across and within institutions; facilitate clinical document management; and facilitate compilation of an individual patient's clinical documents into a lifetime electronic patient record.

5.2.1 ClinicalDocument

The CDA schema was produced by serialization of the CDA model. The starting point for his serialization was the ClinicalDocument class. The ClinicalDocument is the root element in a CDA document instance.

Authenicator

5.2.1.1 ClinicalDocument Attributes

This section describes attributes defined in the ClinicalDocument class.

The table below identifies the attributes of ClinicalDocument. For each item, the name is provided, along with the data type, cardinality*, code bindings, and binding strength. The links allow will access to the item's definition, data type definition, and when appropriate, the concept domain or value set used with the item.

Table X: ClinicalDocument Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DOCCLIN Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
typeId II [1..1]
templateId II [0..*]
id II [1..1]
code CE [1..1] D:DocumentType Open
title TS [0..1]
effectiveTime TS [0..1]
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] V:x_BasicConfidentialityKind Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed
setId II [0..1]
versionNumber ST.SIMPLE [0..1]
copyTime (Deprecated) TS [0..1]

Note*: The cardinality represents to effective cardinality, taking into account 1.3.1 Recipient Responsibilities, relaxation of the requirement to exchange fixed and defaulted values.

ClinicalDocument.classCode

The ClinicalDocument.classCode in the CDA model is fixed to "DOCCLIN". As a result, in the CDA R2.1 Schema, the ClinicalDocument/@classCode has been fixed to "DOCCLIN".

As noted in section 1.3.1 Recipient Responsibilities, fixed and default values asserted in this standard are not required to be present in CDA document instances. However, CDA Implementation Guides can still require them via conformance statements.

Table X: Fixed ClinicalDocument.classCode
Code Display Name
DOCCLIN clinical document
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ClinicalDocument.moodCode

The ClinicalDocument.moodCode in the CDA model is fixed to "EVN" or event mood to indicate that this is documentation of a past service. In the CDA R2.1 Schema, the ClinicalDocument/@classCode has been fixed to "EVN".

Table X: Fixed ClinicalDocument.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

The ClinicalDocument class inherits various attributes from the InfrastructureRoot class of the RIM, including ClinicalDocument.templateId and ClinicalDocument.typeId which are discussed here. All CDA classes inherit from infrastructureRoot, which is discussed in Section (link here).

ClinicalDocument.typeId

ClinicalDocument.typeId is a technology-neutral explicit reference to this CDA, Release Two specification, and must be valued as follows: ClinicalDocument.typeId.root = "2.16.840.1.113883.1.3" (which is the OID for HL7 Registered models); ClinicalDocument.typeId.extension = "POCD_HD000040" (which is the unique identifier for the CDA, Release Two Hierarchical Description).

ClinicalDocument.templateId

When a templateId is present in a CDA element, it signals the imposition of a set of template-defined constraints for that element. The templateId is one of the infrastructure attributes added to all CDA classes. It has only been displayed for ClinicalDocument, but is present in all CDA classes, where it can be used to identify constraints defined in an external Implementation Guide template.

ClinicalDocument.id

Represents the unique instance identifier of a clinical document.

ClinicalDocument.code

The code specifying the particular kind of document (e.g. History and Physical, Discharge Summary, Progress Note). The value set is drawn from LOINC, and has a CWE coding strength.

Within the LOINC database, beginning with version 2.09, May 2003, document type codes are those that have a value of "DOC" in the Scale component. This subset of LOINC is included in the appendix (see LOINC Document Codes).

NOTE: The hierarchical relationship among LOINC document codes is in evolution. Per the LOINC version 2.14 (December 2004) manual: As soon as possible, the component terms used in the creation of the names of document type codes will be mapped to either the UMLS Metathesaurus or SNOMED CT. This mapping will help to establish the meaning of the terms and will allow aggregation and classification of document type codes based on definitions, computable relationships, and subsumption hierarchies that exist in the reference terminology.

ClinicalDocument.title

Represents the title of the document. It's commonly the case that clinical documents do not have a title, and are collectively referred to by the display name of ClinicalDocument.code (e.g. a "consultation" or "progress note"). Where these display names are rendered to the clinician, or where the document has a unique title, the ClinicalDocument.title component should be used. In the example document in the appendix (see Sample Document), the value of ClinicalDocument.title = "Good Health Clinic Consultation Note".

ClinicalDocument.effectiveTime

Signifies the document creation time, when the document first came into being. Where the CDA document is a transform from an original document in some other format, the ClinicalDocument.effectiveTime is the time the original document is created. The time when the transform occurred is not currently represented in CDA.

ClinicalDocument.ConfidentialityCode

Confidentiality is a required contextual component of CDA, where the value expressed in the header holds true for the entire document, unless overridden by a nested value (as further described in CDA Context).

Table X: Value set for ClinicalDocument.confidentialityCode
x_BasicConfidentialityKind [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.16926] (OPEN)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
N normal R restricted
V very restricted
Code System: Confidentiality (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.25

* The codeSystem value is included here because confidentialityCode is of type CE, and therefore must carry both a code and a codeSystem.

ClinicalDocument.languageCode

Specifies the human language of character data (whether they be in contents or attribute values). The values of the attribute are language identifiers as defined by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) RFC 3066 for the Identification of Languages, ed. H. Alvestrand. 1995, which obsoletes RFC 1766. The HL7 code system for these values is "2.16.840.1.113883.6.121". Language is a contextual component of CDA, where the value expressed in the header holds true for the entire document, unless overridden by a nested value (as further described in CDA Context).

ClinicalDocument.setId

Represents an identifier that is common across all document revisions.

ClinicalDocument.versionNumber

An integer value used to version successive replacement documents.

ClinicalDocument.copyTime (Deprecated)

Represents the time a document is released (i.e. copied or sent to a display device) from a document management system that maintains revision control over the document. Once valued, it cannot be changed. The intent is to give the viewer of the document some notion as to how long the document has been out of the safe context of its document management system.

Included for backwards compatibility with CDA, Release One. ClinicalDocument.copyTime has been deprecated because it is not part of the document at the time it is authenticated, but instead represents metadata about the document, applied at some variable time after authentication. Further use is discouraged.

5.2.2 Header Participants

This section describes classes related to the root ClinicalDocument class via a Participation.

5.2.2.1 authenticator

authenicator

Represents a participant who has attested to the accuracy of the document, but who does not have privileges to legally authenticate the document. An example would be a resident physician who sees a patient and dictates a note, then later signs it. (See also legalAuthenticator)

A clinical document can have zero to many authenticators. Both authentication and legal authentication require that a document has been signed manually or electronically by the responsible individual.

Table X: Authenicator
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] AUTHEN Fixed
time TS [1..1]
signatureCode CV [0..1] S Fixed
signatureText ED [0..1]

authenticator.typeCode

The ClinicalDocument.typeCode is fixed to "AUTHEN" to indicate that a participant has attested his participation through a signature.

Table X: Fixed authenticator.typeCode
Code Display Name
AUTHEN authenticator
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

authenticator.time

Authenticator has a required authenticator.time indicating the time of authentication.

authenticator.signatureCode

Authenicator has a required authenticator.signatureCode, indicating that a signature has been obtained and is on file.

Table X: Fixed authenticator.signatureCode
Code Display Name
S (Fixed) signed
Code System: ParticipationSignature (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.89

Note: CDA Release One represented either an intended ("X") or actual ("S") authenticator. CDA Release 2 and 2.1 only represents an actual authenticator, so usage of "X" and "I" are deprecated.

authenticator.signatureText

A new attribute, SignatureText has been added to authenticator. The signature can be represented either inline or by reference according to the ED data type. Typical cases are:

  1. Paper-based signatures: the ED data type may refer to a document or other resource that can be retrieved through an electronic interface to a hardcopy archive.
  2. Electronic signature: this attribute can represent virtually any electronic signature scheme.
  3. Digital signature: this attribute can represent digital signatures by reference to a signature data block that is constructed in accordance to a digital signature standard, such as XML-DSIG, PKCS#7, PGP, etc.
5.2.2.1.1 AssignedEntity

An authenticator is a person in the role of an assigned entity (AssignedEntity class). An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a person (Person class). The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class). (See here for a description of "player" and "scoper" role associations.)

Table X: AssignedEntity
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] ASSIGNED Fixed
id SET<II> [1..*]
code CE [0..1] D:RoleCode Open
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

AssignedEntity.classCode

The classCode is fixed to "ASSIGNED", which is used in this context to indicate that a person in the employ of an organization was acting as their agent.

Table X: Fixed AssignedEntity.classCode
Code Display Name
ASSIGNED assigned entity
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

AssignedEntity.id

In this context, it is a unique identifier for the person in this Role.

AssignedEntity.code

Identifies the specific kind of Role to which an Role-instance belongs. The AssignedEntity.code is bound to D:RoleCode, which enables any code from the HL7 RoleCode vocabulary.

AssignedEntity.addr

A postal address for the Entity while in the Role.

AssignedEntity.telecom

A telecommunication address for the Entity while in the Role.

5.2.2.1.2 Person

Refer to Person as defined for Author participation.

5.2.2.1.3 Organization
Table X: Organization
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] ORG Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
id SET<II> [0..*]
name SET<ON> [0..1]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
standardIndustryClassCode CE [0..1] D:OrganizationIndustryClass

Organization.classCode With the code fixed to "ORG", it indicates we are referencing an Organization.

Table X: Fixed Organization.classCode
Code Display Name
ORG organization
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

Organization.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates that the scoping organization referenced, is a specific instance of an organization.

Table X: Fixed Organization.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

Organization.id

A unique identifier for the Organization.

Organization.name

A non-unique textual identifier or moniker for the organization.

Organization.telecom

A telecommunication address for the Organization.

Organization.addr

The postal or residential address of an organization.

Organization.standardIndustryClassCode

A code which identifies the industrial category of an organization. In the US Realm, it has been bound to the Code System: North American Industry Classification System [2.16.840.1.113883.6.85] (NAICS). The binding type is Open, so other code system and values sets may be used in the US and other realms. D:OrganizationIndustryClass

5.2.2.1.4 OrganizationPartOf

A scoping organization can be part of a larger organization. Where there is a need to include whole-part relationships, the OrganizationPartOf role can be used. OrganizationPartOf.statusCode indicates the state of the whole-part relationship (e.g. "active", "terminated").

Table X: OrganizationPartOf
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] PART Fixed
id SET<II> [1..*]
code CE [0..1] D:RoleCode Open
statusCode CS [0..1] V:RoleStatus Closed
effectiveTime IVL<TS > [0..1]


OrganizationPartOf.classCode

Table X: Fixed OrganizationPartOf.classCode
Code Display Name
PART part
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

OrganizationPartOf.id

A unique identifier for the player organization in this Role.

OrganizationPartOf.code

The specific kind of Role to which an Role-instance belongs.

OrganizationPartOf.statusCode

The state of this Role as defined in the state-transition model.

Table X: Value set for OrganizationPartOf.statusCode
V:RoleStatus [2.16.840.1.113883.5.1068] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
normal normal active active
cancelled cancelled pending pending
suspended suspended terminated terminated
nullified nullified
Code System: RoleStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1068

OrganizationPartOf.effectiveTime

The OrganizationPartOf.effectiveTime is an interval of time specifying the period during which the whole-part relationhship is in effect, if such time limit is applicable and known.

5.2.2.2 author

author

Represents the humans and/or machines that authored the document.

Table X: author
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] AUT Fixed
functionCode CE [0..1] D:ParticipationFunction Open
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed
time TS [1..1]

author.typeCode

The author.typeCode is fixed to "AUT", used to indicate the party that originates the document and is responsible for the information in the document.

Table X: Fixed author.typeCode
Code Display Name
AUT author
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

author.functionCode


The author.functionCode is bound to the concept domain ParticipationFunction, which is used to specify the exact function an actor had in a service in all necessary detail. This domain may include local extensions (Open).

In some cases, the role or function of the author is inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, such as where ClinicalDocument.code is "Medical Student Progress Note". The role of the author can also be recorded in the Author.functionCode or AssignedAuthor.code attribute. If either of these attributes is included, they should be equivalent to or further specialize the role inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code (such as where the ClinicalDocument.code is simply "Physician Progress Note" and the value of Author.functionCode is "rounding physician"), and shall not conflict with the role inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, as such a conflict would constitute an ambiguous situation.

author.contextControlCode

The author.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". It means that the author will replace the set of author participations that have propagated from ancestor Acts, and will itself be the only author to propagate to any child Acts that allow context to be propagated.

Table X: Fixed author.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057

author.time

The author.time is used to capture the time this specific author contributed content to the document.

5.2.2.2.1 AssignedAuthor

An author is a person in the role of an assigned author (AssignedAuthor class). The entity playing the role is a person (Person class) or a device (AuthoringDevice class). The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class), and is the organization from which the document originates.

Table X: AssignedAuthor
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] ASSIGNED Fixed
id SET<II> [1..*]
code CE [0..1] D:RoleCode Open
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

AssignedAuthor.classCode

The classCode is fixed to "ASSIGNED", which is used in this context to indicate that a person in the employ of an organization was acting as their agent.

Table X: Fixed AssignedAuthor.classCode
Code Display Name
ASSIGNED assigned entity
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

AssignedAuthor.id

In this context, it is a unique identifier for the person in this Role.

AssignedAuthor.code

Identifies the specific kind of Role to which an Role-instance belongs. The AssignedEntity.code is bound to D:RoleCode, which enables any code from the HL7 RoleCode vocabulary.

AssignedAuthor.addr

A postal address for the Entity while in the Role.

AssignedAuthor.telecom

A telecommunication address for the Entity while in the Role.

5.2.2.2.2 Person

A human being.

Table X: Person
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] PSN Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
name SET<PN> [0..*]
desc ED [0..1]
birthTime TS [0..1]

Person.classCode

With the code fixed to "PSN", it indicates we are referencing a Person.

Table X: Fixed Person.classCode
Code Display Name
PSN person
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

Person.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates that we are dealing with a specific person.

Table X: Fixed Person.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE (Fixed) specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

Person.name

The person's name.

Note: The person name data type "PN" supports current, and historical names using validTime, and the specification of different use codes can indicate legal name, tribal name, stage name and others.

Person.desc

A textual or multimedia depiction of the person.

Person.birthTime

The date and time of a person's birth.

5.2.2.2.3 AuthoringDevice
Table X: AuthoringDevice
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DEV Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
code CE [0..1] D:EntityCode
manufacturerModelName SC [0..1] D:ManufacturerModelName
softwareName SC [0..1] D:SoftwareName

AuthoringDevice.classCode

The AuthoringDevice.classCode if fixed to "DEV" indicating that a device was used to generate content in the document.

Table X: Fixed AuthoringDevice.classCode
Code Display Name
DEV role
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

AuthoringDevice.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates we are referencing a specific device.

Table X: Fixed AuthoringDevice.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

AuthoringDevice.code

The AuthoringDevice.code is bound to the EntityCode domain.

AuthoringDevice.manufacturerModelName

Is used to convey a coded name for the device.

AuthoringDevice.softwareName

Is used to convey a coded name for the software used to author content.

5.2.2.2.4 MaintainedEntity
NOTE: In CDA, Release One, it was possible to specify those individuals responsible for the device. This functionality has been deprecated in CDA, Release Two. The MaintainedEntity class is present for backwards compatibility, and its use is discouraged, except where needed to support the transformation of CDA, Release One documents.
Table X: MaintainedEntity
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] MNT Fixed
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]

MaintainedEntity.classCode

With the classCode fixed to "MNT", it indicates that AuthoringDevice is maintained by person assuming responsibility for proper operation, quality, and safety.

Table X: Fixed MaintainedEntity.classCode
Code Display Name
MNT maintained entity
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

MaintainedEntity.effectiveTime

An interval of time specifying the period during which the Role is in effect.

5.2.2.3 custodian

custodian

Represents the organization that is in charge of maintaining the document. The custodian is the steward that is entrusted with the care of the document. Every CDA document has exactly one custodian.

The custodian participation satisfies the CDA definition of Stewardship (see What is the CDA). Because CDA is an exchange standard and may not represent the original form of the authenticated document, the custodian represents the steward of the original source document.

Table X: custodian
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] CST Fixed

custodian.typeCode

The custodian.typeCode is fixed to "CST", which indicates in this instance an organization that is in charge of maintaining this document. Examples: Medical Records Dept in hospital, Health Information Management Dept., etc.

Table X:Fixed custodian.typeCode
Code Display Name
CST custodian
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

A custodian is a scoping organization in the role of an assigned custodian (AssignedCustodian class). The steward organization (CustodianOrganization class) is an entity scoping the role of AssignedCustodian, and has a required CustodianOrganization.id.

5.2.2.3.1 AssignedCustodian
Table X: AssignedCustodian
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] ASSIGNED Fixed

AssignedCustodian.classCode

Table X: Fixed AssignedCustodian.classCode
Code Display Name
ASSIGNED assigned entity
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110
5.2.2.3.2 CustodianOrganization
Table X: CustodianOrganization
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] ORG Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
id SET<II> [1..*]
name SET<ON> [0..1]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]
addr SET<AD> [0..*]

CustodianOrganization.classCode With the code fixed to "ORG", it indicates we are referencing an Organization.

Table X: Fixed CustodianOrganization.classCode
Code Display Name
ORG organization
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

CustodianOrganization.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates that the scoping organization referenced, is a specific instance of an organization.

Table X: Fixed CustodianOrganization.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

CustodianOrganization.id

A unique identifier for the Organization.

CustodianOrganization.name

A non-unique textual identifier or moniker for the organization.

CustodianOrganization.telecom

A telecommunication address for the Organization.

CustodianOrganization.addr

The postal or residential address of an organization.

5.2.2.4 dataEnterer (Transcriptionist)

dataEnterer

Represents the participant who has transformed a dictated note into text.

Table X: dataEnterer
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] ENT Fixed
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed
time TS [1..1]

dataEnterer.typeCode

The dataEnterer.typeCode is fixed to "ENT".

Table X: Fixed dataEnterer.typeCode
Code Display Name
ENT data entry person
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

dataEnterer.contextControlCode

The dataEnterer.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP".

Table X: Fixed dataEnterer.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057

dataEnterer.time

The date and time the data was entered into the originating system.

5.2.2.4.1 AssignedEntity

Refer to AssignedEntity as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.5 encounterParticipant

See EncompassingEncounter for a description of the encounterParticipant participant.

5.2.2.6 informant

informant

An informant (or source of information) is a person that provides relevant information, such as the parent of a comatose patient who describes the patient's behavior prior to the onset of coma.

Table X: informant
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] INF Fixed
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed

informant.typeCode The informant.typeCode is fixed to "INF", which indicates the source of reported information (e.g., a next of kin who answers questions about the patient's history).

Table X: Fixed informant.typeCode
Code Display Name
INF informant
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

informant.contextControlCode

The informant.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". It means that the informant will replace the set of informant participations that have propagated from ancestor Acts, and will itself be the only informant to propagate to any child Acts that allow context to be propagated.

Table X: Fixed informant.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057

An informant can be a person in one of two roles RelatedEntity or AssignedEntity.

5.2.2.6.1 RelatedEntity

The RelatedEntity role is used to represent an informant without a role.id (e.g. a parent or guy on the street). The informant in this case bears some formal or personal relationship to the patient. The role is unscoped, with the assumption that the patient is always the implied scoper. RelatedEntity.code can be used to specify the nature of the relationship.

Table X: RelatedEntity
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] v:RoleClassMutualRelationship Closed
code CE [0..1] D:PersonalRelationshipRoleType Open
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]

RelatedEntity.classCode

Table X: Value set for RelatedEntity.classCode
v:RoleClassMutualRelationship [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19316] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
AFFL affiliate AGNT agent
ASSIGNED assigned entity COMPAR commissioning party
SGNOFF signing authority or officer CON contact
ECON emergency contact NOK next of kin
GUARD guardian CIT citizen
COVPTY covered party CLAIM claimant
NAMED named insured DEPEN dependent
INDIV individual SUBSCR subscriber
PROG program eligible CRINV clinical research investigator
CRSPNSR clinical research sponsor EMP employee
MIL military person GUAR guarantor, GuarantorRole
INVSBJ Investigation Subject CASEBJ Case Subject
RESBJ research subject LIC licensed entity
NOT notary public PROV healthcare provider
PAT patient PAYEE payee
PAYOR invoice payor POLHOLD policy holder
QUAL qualified entity SPNSR coverage sponsor
STD student UNDWRT underwriter
CAREGIVER caregiver PRS personal relationship
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

RelatedEntity.code

The RelatedEntity.code is bound to the PersonalRelationshipRoleType concept domain.

RelatedEntity.addr

The RelatedEntity.addr is used to convey the postal address for the informant.

RelatedEntity.telecom

The RelatedEntity.telecom is used to convey the phone number for the informant.

RelatedEntity.effectiveTime

The RelatedEntity.effectiveTime is used to convey the time period that the role is/was in effect.

5.2.2.6.2 AssignedEntity

The AssignedEntity role is used for an identified informant, and is scoped by an Organization.

Refer to AssignedEntity as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.7 informationRecipient

informationRecipient

Represents a recipient who should receive a copy of the document.

NOTE: The information recipient is an entity to whom a copy of a document is directed, at the time of document authorship. It is not the same as the cumulative set of persons to whom the document has subsequently been disclosed, over the life-time of the patient. Such a disclosure list would not be contained within the document, and it outside the scope of CDA.
Table X: informationRecipient
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [1..1] V:x_InformationRecipient Closed


informationRecipient.typeCode

Two values are available for the informationRecipient.typeCode, the default value is primary information recipient an alternative value is tracker.

Table X: Value set for informationRecipient.typeCode
v:x_InformationRecipient [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19366] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
PRCP (Default) primary information recipient TRC tracker
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90
5.2.2.7.1 IntendedRecipient

Identifies the person(s), organization or health chart to receive the document.

Table X: IntendedRecipient
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] V:x_InformationRecipientRole Closed
id SET<II> [1..*]
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

IntendedRecipient.classCode

Where a person is the intended recipient (IntendedRecipient class), the IntendedRecipient.classCode is valued with "ASSIGNED", and the playing entity is a person (Person class), optionally scoped by an organization (Organization class). Where the intended recipient is an organization, the IntendedRecipient.classCode is valued with "ASSIGNED", and the recipient is reflected by the presence of a scoping Organization, without a playing entity. Where a health chart is the intended recipient, the IntendedRecipient.classCode is valued with "HLTHCHRT" (health chart). In this case there is no playing entity, and an optional scoping organization (Organization class).

Table X: Value set for IntendedRecipient.classCode
V:x_InformationRecipientRole [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.16772] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ASSIGNED (Default) assigned entity HLTHCHRT health chart
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110


IntendedRecipient.id

Optional identifier of the intended recipient.

IntendedRecipient.addr

Optional postal address of the intended recipient.

IntendedRecipient.telecom

Optional phone number for the intended recipient.

5.2.2.7.2 Person

Refer to Person as defined for Author participation.

5.2.2.7.3 Organization

Refer to organization as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.8 legalAuthenticator

Represents the participant(s) who has legally authenticated the document.

authenicator

CDA R2.1, now supports [0.2] legal authenications. This enhancement was put into CDA to support the sharing of medical documents needing to take more than one legal authenication signature.

The CDA is a standard that specifies the structure of exchanged clinical documents. In the case where a local document is transformed into a CDA document for exchange, authentication occurs on the local document, and that fact is reflected in the exchanged CDA document. A CDA document can reflect the unauthenticated, authenticated, or legally authenticated state. The unauthenticated state exists when no authentication information has been recorded (i.e., it is the absence of being either authenticated or legally authenticated).

Both authentication and legal authentication require that a document has been signed manually or electronically by the responsible individual. A legalAuthenticator has a required legalAuthenticator.time indicating the time of authentication, and a required legalAuthenticator.signatureCode, indicating that a signature has been obtained and is on file.

Table X: legalAuthenticator[0..2]
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] LA Fixed
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed
time TS [1..1]
signatureCode CV [0..1] S Fixed
signatureText ED [0..1]

legalAuthenticator.typeCode

The ClinicalDocument.typeCode is fixed to "LA" to indicate that a participant has legally attested his participation through a signature.

Table X: Fixed legalAuthenticator.typeCode
Code Display Name
AUTHEN authenticator
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

legalAuthenticator.contextControlCode


The legalAuthenticator.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". It means that the legalAuthenticator will propagate to any child Acts that allow context to be propagated.

legalAuthenticator.time

legalAuthenticatorhas a required legalAuthenticator.time indicating the time of authentication.

legalAuthenticator.signatureCode

legalAuthenticatorhas a required legalAuthenticator.signatureCode, indicating that a signature has been obtained and is on file.

Table X: Fixed legalAuthenticator.signatureCode
Code Display Name
S (Fixed) signed
Code System: ParticipationSignature (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.89

Note: CDA Release One represented either an intended ("X") or actual ("S") legalAuthenticator. CDA Release 2 and 2.1 only represents an actual legalAuthenticator, so only S / Signed can be indicated for the signatureCode.

legalAuthenticator.signatureText

A new attribute, SignatureText has been added to legalAuthenticator. The signature can be represented either inline or by reference according to the ED data type. Typical cases are:

  1. Paper-based signatures: the ED data type may refer to a document or other resource that can be retrieved through an electronic interface to a hardcopy archive.
  2. Electronic signature: this attribute can represent virtually any electronic signature scheme.
  3. Digital signature: this attribute can represent digital signatures by reference to a signature data block that is constructed in accordance to a digital signature standard, such as XML-DSIG, PKCS#7, PGP, etc.
Table X: Fixed legalAuthenticator.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057

A legalAuthenticator is a person in the role of an assigned entity (AssignedEntity class). An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a person (Person class). The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

5.2.2.8.1 AssignedEntity

Refer to AssignedEntity as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.8.2 Person

Refer to Person as defined for Author participation.

5.2.2.8.3 Organization

Refer to Organization as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.8.4 OrganizationPartOf

Refer to OrganizationPartOf as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.9 participant

participant

Table X: participant
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] ParticipationType Fixed
functionCode CE [0..1] D:ParticipationFunction Open
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed
time TS [1..1]

participant.typeCode

The participant.typeCode is can be any code defined in the ParticipationType domain. Which can be used to represent other participants not explicitly mentioned by other classes, that were somehow involved in the documented acts.

Table X: Value set for participant.typeCode
v:ParticipationType [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.10901] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
PART Participation ADM admitter
ATND attender ADM admitter
CALLBCK callback contact CON consultant
DIS discharger ESC escort
REF referrer TRANS Transcriber
ENT data entry person WIT witness
CST custodian DIR direct target
BBY baby DEV device
NRD non-reuseable device RDV reusable device
EXPAGNT ExposureAgent EXPART ExposureParticipation
EXPTRGT ExposureTarget EXSRC ExposureSource
IND indirect target BEN beneficiary
CAGNT causative agent COV coverage target
GUAR guarantor party HLD holder
DON donor RCV receiver
IRCP information recipient NOT ugent notification contact
PRCP primary information recipient REFB Referred By
REFT Referred to TRC tracker
LOC location DST destination
ELOC entry location ORG origin
RML remote VIA via
RESP responsible party VRF verifier
AUTHEN authenticator
Use the following participations, only if the other participations provided in CDA will not work
RCT record target AUT author (originator)
INF informant CSM consumable
PRD product SBJ subject
SPC specimen PRF performer
DIST distributor PPRF primary performer
SPRF secondary performer LA legal authenticator
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

participant.functionCode

The participant.functionCode is bound to the concept domain ParticipationFunction, which is used to specify the exact function an actor had in a service in all necessary detail. This domain may include local extensions (Open).

participant.contextControlCode

The participant.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". It means that the participantType code specified in participant.typeCode will replace the set of author participations that have propagated from ancestor Acts, and will itself be the only author to propagate to any child Acts that allow context to be propagated.

Table X: Fixed participant.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP (Fixed) overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057

participant.typeCode.time

The participant.typeCode.time is the date and time the specific participation occurred.

5.2.2.9.1 AssociatedEntity

A participant is a person or organization in the role of a participating entity (AssociatedEntity class). The entity playing the role is a person (Person class). The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

Table X: AssociatedEntity
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] V:RoleClassAssociative Closed
id SET<II> [0..*]
code CE [0..1] D:RoleCode Open
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

AssociatedEntity.classCode

When the participating entity is an organization, this is reflected by the presence of a scoping Organization, without a playing entity. Otherwise, the participating entity is considered a person with or without a scoping Organization.

Table X: Value set for ParticipatingEntity.classCode
V:RoleClassAssociative [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19313] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ROL (Default) role AFFL affiliate
AGNT agent ASSIGNED assigned entity
COMPAR commissioning party SGNOFF signing authority or officer
CON contact ECON emergency contact
NOK next of kin GUARD guardian
CIT citizen COVPTY covered party
CLAIM claimant NAMED named insured
DEPEN dependent INDIV individual
SUBSCR subscriber PROG program eligible
CRINV clinical research investigator CRSPNSR clinical research sponsor
EMP employee MIL military person
GUAR guarantor INVSBJ Investigation Subject
CASEBJ Case Subject RESBJ research subject
LIC licensed entity NOT notary public
PROV healthcare provider PAT patient
PAYEE payee PAYOR invoice payor
POLHOLD policy holder QUAL qualified entity
SPNSR underwriter STD student
UNDWRT coverage sponsor CAREGIVER caregiver
PRS personal relationship ACCESS access
ADMM Administerable Material BIRTHPL birthplace
DEATHPLC place of death DST distributed material
RET retailed material EXPR exposed entity
HLD held entity HLTHCHRT health chart
IDENT identified entity MANU manufactured product
THER therapeutic agent MNT maintained entity
OWN owned entity RGPR regulated product
SDLOC service delivery location DSDLOC dedicated service delivery location, health care facility
ISDLOC incidental service delivery location TERR territory of authority
USED used entity WRTE warranted product
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

AssociatedEntity.id

An identifier for the associate person (when present) or the organization.

AssociatedEntity.code

An optional role code taken from the RoleCode concept domain. This binding is open so other code systems can be used.

AssociatedEntity.addr

The postal address for the associate person (when present) or the organization.

AssociatedEntity.telecom

The phone number for the associated person (when present) or the organization.

5.2.2.9.2 Person

Refer to Person as defined for Author participation.

5.2.2.9.3 Organization

Refer to Organization as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.10 performer

See ServiceEvent for a description of the performer participant.

5.2.2.11 recordTarget

recordTarget

The recordTarget represents the medical record that this document belongs to.

A clinical document typically has exactly one recordTarget participant. In the uncommon case where a clinical document (such as a group encounter note) is placed into more than one patient chart, more than one recordTarget participants can be stated.

The recordTarget(s) of a document are stated in the header and propagate to nested content, where they cannot be overridden (see See CDA Context).

Table X: recordTarget
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] RCT Fixed
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed

recordTarget.typeCode

The recordTarget.typeCode is fixed to "RCT" and indicates that this is a record target participation.

Table X: Fixed recordTarget.typeCode
Code Display Name
RCT record target
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

recordTarget.contextControlCode

The recordTarget.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". It means that the recordTarget identified in the header will propagate to any child Acts that allow context to be propagated.

Table X: Fixed recordTarget.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057

A recordTarget is represented as a relationship between a person and an organization, where the person is in a patient role (PatientRole class). The entity playing the role is a patient (Patient class). The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class). A patient is uniquely identified via the PatientRole.id attribute.

5.2.2.11.1 PatientRole
Table X: PatientRole
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] PAT Fixed
id SET<II> [1..*]
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

PatientRole.classCode

The PatientRole.classCode is fixed to "PAT" to indicate a person (Patient) as a recipient of health care services from a healthcare provider.

Table X: Fixed PatientRole.classCode
Code Display Name
PAT patient
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

PatientRole.id

A unique identifier for the person in this patient role.

PatientRole.addr

The postal address for the Patient.

PatientRole.telecom

The phone number for the Patient.

5.2.2.11.2 Patient
Table X: Patient
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] PSN Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
id (Deprecated) SET<II> [0..*]
name SET<PN> [0..*]
desc ED [0..1]
administrativeGenderCode CE [0..1] D:administrativeGender Open
birthTime TS [0..1]
deceasedInd BL [0..1]
deceasedTime TS [0..1]
multipleBirthInd BL [0..1]
multipleBirthOrderNumber INT [0..1]
maritalStatusCode CE [0..1] D:MaritalStatus Open
religiousAffiliationCode CE [0..1] D:ReligousAffiliation Open
raceCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Race Open
ethnicGroupCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Ethnicity Open

Patient.classCode

The Patient.classCode is fixed to "PSN", indicating that the entity is a person.

Table X: Fixed Patient.classCode
Code Display Name
PSN person
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

Patient.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates a specific person is a patient.

Table X: Fixed Patient.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

Patient.id (Deprecated)

CDA Release 1.0 allowed for additional person identifiers, corresponding to the Patient.id attribute in CDA Release 2.1. This attribute is included for backwards compatibility and has been deprecated because having two different ways to identify a patient can result in inconsistent usage. Further use of Patient.id is discouraged.

Patient.name

The patient's name.

Note: The person name data type "PN" supports current, and historical names using validTime, and the specification of different use codes can indicate legal name, tribal name, stage name and others.

Patient.desc

A textual or multimedia depiction of the patient.

Patient.administrativeGenderCode

The gender (i.e., the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex) of a living subject as defined for administrative purposes.

Patient.birthTime

The date and time of the patient's birth.

Patient.deceasedInd

An indication that the subject is dead.

Patient.deceasedTime

The date and time that the patient's death occurred.

Patient.multipleBirthInd

An indication as to whether the patient was part of a multiple birth.

Patient.multipleBirthOrderNumber

The order within a multiple birth in which this patient was born.

Patient.maritalStatusCode

The domestic partnership status of the patient.

Patient.religiousAffiliationCode

The primary religious preference of the patient.

Patient.raceCode

The race of the patient.

Note: More than one race code is now supported in CDA R2.1.

Patient.ethnicGroupCode

The ethnic group of the patient.

Note: More than one race code is now supported in CDA R2.1.

5.2.2.11.3 Organization

Refer to Organization as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.11.4 LanguageCommunication

A patient's language communication skills can be expressed in the associated LanguageCommunication class.

Table X: LanguageCommunication
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Open
modeCode CE [0..1] D:LanguageAbilityMode Open
proficiencyLevelCode CE [0..1] D:LanguageAbilityProficiency Open
preferenceInd BL [0..1]

LanguageCommunication.languageCode

A language for which the patient has some level of proficiency for communication.

LanguageCommunication.modeCode

The method of expression of the language, e.g. expressed spoken, expressed written, expressed signed, received spoken, received written, received signed

LanguageCommunication.proficiencyLevelCode

The level of proficiency the patient has in a particular language, e.g. excellent, good, fair, poor

LanguageCommunication.preferenceInd

An indicator specifying whether the language is preferred by the patient for the associated mode.

5.2.2.11.5 Birthplace

A Patient's birthplace is represented as a relationship between a patient and a place. The Birthplace class is played by a place (Place class), and scoped by the patient (Patient class).

Table X: Birthplace
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] BIRTHPL Fixed

Birthplace.classCode

The Birthplace.classCode it fixed to "BIRTHPL" indicating in this context, that the Place referenced is the birth place of the patient.

Table X: Fixed Birthplace.classCode
Code Display Name
BIRTHPL birthplace
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110
5.2.2.11.6 Place
Table X: Place
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] PLC Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
name SET<ON> [0..1]
addr SET<AD> [0..*]

Place.classCode

A physical place or site with its containing structure. May be natural or man-made. The geographic position of a place may or may not be constant.

Table X: Fixed Place.classCode
Code Display Name
PLC place
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

Place.determinerCode


The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates a specific place is being identified.

Table X: Fixed Place.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

Place.name

The name of place of birth (E.g. Queen Mary)

Place.addr

The postal address for the patient's birthplace.

5.2.2.11.7 Guardian

A patient's guardian is a person or organization in the role of guardian (Guardian class). The entity playing the role of guardian is a person (Person class) or organization (Organization class). The entity scoping the role is the patient (Patient class).

Where a guardian is not explicitly stated, the value should default to local business practice (e.g. the patient makes their own health care decisions unless incapacitated in which case healthcare decisions are made by the patient's spouse).

Table X: Guardian
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] GUARD Fixed
id SET<II> [0..*]
code CE [0..1] D:RoleCode Open
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

Guardian.classCode

The Guardian.classCode is fixed to "GUARD", indicating that the associated person or institution are legally empowered with responsibility for the care of a ward.

Table X: Fixed Guardian.classCode
Code Display Name
GUARD guardian
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

Guardian.code

An optional role code taken from the RoleCode concept domain. This binding is open so other code systems can be used.

Guardian.addr

The guardian's postal address.

Guardian.telecom

The guardian's phone number.

5.2.2.11.8 Person

Refer to Person as defined for Author participation.

5.2.2.11.9 Organization

Refer to organization as defined for authenticator participation.

5.2.2.12 responsibleParty

See EncompassingEncounter for a description of the responsibleParty participant.

5.2.2.13 Participant Scenarios

Several CDA Header participations can be played by the same person. In such cases, the person should be identified as the player for each appropriate participation. For instance, if a person is both the author and the authenticator of a document, the CDA Header should identify that person as both the author participant and the authenticator participant.

On other occasions, CDA Header participants are played by different people. The following table shows a number of scenarios and the values for various participants.

Table X: CDA participation scenarios
1. StaffPhysicianOne sees a patient as a consultant, dictates a note, and later signs it.
*Author — StaffPhysicianOne
  • Encounter Participant — StaffPhysicianOne (typeCode="CONS")
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffPhysicianOne
2. StaffPhysicianOne sees a patient and dictates a note. StaffPhysicianTwo later signs the note. *
*Author — StaffPhysicianOne
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffPhysicianTwo
3. ResidentOne sees a patient with StaffPhysicianOne. ResidentOne dictates a note and later signs it. The note is co-signed by StaffPhysicianOne. *
*Author — ResidentOne
  • Authenticator — ResidentOne
  • Encounter Participant — StaffPhysicianOne (typeCode="ATND")
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffPhysicianOne
4. ResidentOne sees a patient with StaffPhysicianOne. ResidentOne dictates a note and later signs it. The note is co-signed by StaffPhysicianTwo. *
  • Author — ResidentOne
  • Authenticator — ResidentOne
  • Encounter Participant — StaffPhysicianOne (typeCode="ATND")
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffPhysicianTwo
5. ResidentOne sees a patient with StaffPhysicianOne. ResidentOne dictates a note, and goes off on vacation. The note is signed by ResidentTwo and by StaffPhysicianOne. *
  • Author — ResidentOne
  • Authenticator — ResidentTwo
  • Encounter Participant — StaffPhysicianOne (typeCode="ATND")
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffPhysicianOne
6. ResidentOne sees a patient with StaffPhysicianOne. ResidentOne dictates a note, which is later signed by ResidentTwo and StaffPhysicianTwo. *
  • Author — ResidentOne
  • Authenticator — ResidentTwo
  • Encounter Participant — StaffPhysicianOne (typeCode="ATND")
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffPhysicianTwo
7. StaffPhysicianOne receives an abnormal lab result, attempts to contact patient but can't, and writes and signs a progress note.
  • Author — StaffPhysicianOne
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffPhysicianOne
8. ResidentSurgeonOne is operating on a patient with StaffSurgeonOne. StaffSurgeonOne dictates an operative report and later signs it.
  • Author — StaffSurgeonOne
  • Authenticator — null (need not be included)
  • Legal Authenticator — StaffSurgeonOne
  • Performer — StaffSurgeonOne (typeCode="PPRF")
  • Performer — ResidentSurgeonOne (typeCode="SPRF")

* Note that the ability of one clinician to co-sign or to sign on behalf of another clinician is subject to regulatory and local practice constraints.

5.2.3 Header Relationships

This section describes classes related to the root ClinicalDocument class via an ActRelationship.

5.2.3.1 ParentDocument

ParentDocument

The ParentDocument represents the source of a document revision, addenda, or transformation.

5.2.3.1.1 relatedDocument

The optional relatedDocument class is used to associate a ClinicalDocument to a ParentDocument.

Table X: relatedDocument Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [1..1] x_ActRelationshipDocument Closed

relatedDocument.typeCode

Allowable values for the intervening relatedDocument.typeCode are shown in the following table.

Table X: Value set for relatedDocument.typeCode
v:x_ActRelationshipDocument [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11610] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
APND is appendage RPLC replaces
XFRM] transformation
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002

A conformant CDA document can have a single relatedDocument with typeCode "APND"; a single relatedDocument with typeCode "RPLC"; a single relatedDocument with typeCode "XFRM"; a combination of two relatedDocuments with typeCodes "XFRM" and "RPLC"; or a combination of two relatedDocuments with typeCodes "XFRM" and "APND". No other combinations are allowed.

5.2.3.1.2 ParentDocument

The ParentDocument identifies and optionally provides a reference to the original document serving as the source for the current document revision, addendum or transformation.

Table X: ParentDocument Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DOCCLIN Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
typeId II [1..1]
id II [1..*]
code CE [1..1] D:DocumentType Open
text ED [0..1]
setId II [0..1]
versionNumber ST.SIMPLE [0..1]

ParentDocument.classCode

The ParentDocument.classCode is fixed to "DOCCLIN".

Table X: Fixed ParentDocument.classCode
Code Display Name
DOCCLIN clinical document
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ParentDocument.moodCode

The ParentDocument.moodCode is fixed to "EVN".

Table X: Fixed ParentDocument.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ParentDocument.id

The ParentDocument.id is a required identifier, which uniquely identifies the parent document.

ParentDocument.code

The code specifying the particular kind of document (e.g. History and Physical, Discharge Summary, Progress Note). The value set is drawn from LOINC, and has a CWE coding strength.

ParentDocument.text

ParentDocument.text is modeled as an ED data type - allowing for the expression of the MIME type of the parent document. It is not to be used to embed the related document, and thus ParentDocument.text.BIN is precluded from use.

ParentDocument.setId

Optional setID for the parent document.

ParentDocument.versionNumber

Optional versionNumber of the parent document.

Additional Information on Document Identification, Revisions, and Addenda

A clinical document can be replaced by a new document and/or appended with an addendum.

A replacement document is a new version of the parent document. The parent document is considered superseded, but a system may retain it for historical or auditing purposes. The parent document being replaced is referenced via act relationship relatedDocument, where relatedDocument.typeCode is set to equal "RPLC" (for "replaces"). An example is a report found to contain an error that is subsequently replaced by the corrected report.

An addendum is a separate document that references the parent document, and may extend or alter the observations in the prior document. The parent document remains a current component of the patient record, and the addendum and its parent are both read by report recipients. The parent report (represented by the ParentDocument class) being appended is referenced via act relationship relatedDocument, where relatedDocument.typeCode is set to equal "APND" (for "appends").

Every CDA document must have a unique ClinicalDocument.id, and thus the replacement or addendum documents each have ClinicalDocument.id that is different from that of the parent document.

CDA documents may also contain a ClinicalDocument.setId and a ClinicalDocument.versionNumber, which together support a document identification and versioning scheme used in some document management systems. In this scheme, all documents in a chain of replacements have the same ClinicalDocument.setId and are distinguished by an incrementing ClinicalDocument.versionNumber. The initial version of a document gets, in addition to a new unique value for ClinicalDocument.id, a new value for ClinicalDocument.setId, and has the value of ClinicalDocument.versionNumber set to equal "1". A replacement document gets a new globally unique ClinicalDocument.id value, and uses the same value for ClinicalDocument.setId as the parent report being replaced, and increments the value of ClinicalDocument.versionNumber by 1. (Note that version number must be incremented by one when a report is replaced, but can also be incremented more often to meet local requirements.)

These relationships are illustrated in the following exhibit "Document Identification, Revisions, and Addenda Scenarios". Typical scenarios are a simple relacement (e.g. ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.266" replacing ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.123") and a simple append (e.g. ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.456" appends ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.123"). More complex scenarios that might be anticipated include: [1] replacement of an addendum (e.g. ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.224" replaces ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.456", which itself is an addendum to ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.123") - expected behavior would be to render the replacement as the addendum (e.g. render ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.224" as the addendum to ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.123"); [2] addendum to a replaced document (e.g. ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.456" appends ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.123", which has been replaced by ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.266") - expected behavior would be to render the addendum along with the replacement (e.g. render ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.456" as an addendum to ClinicalDocument.id "1.2.345.6789.266").

Document transformations

A CDA document can be a transformation from some other format, meaning that it has undergone a machine translation from some other format (such as DICOM SR). In this case, relatedDocument.typeCode should be set to "XFRM".

A proper transformation must ensure that the human readable clinical content of the report is not impacted. Local business rules determine whether or not a transformed report replaces the source, but typically this would not be the case. If it is, an additional relationship of type "RPLC" is to be used. The "XFRM" relationship can also be used when translating a document in a local format into CDA for the purpose of exchange. In this case, the target of the "XFRM" relationship is the local document identifier.

Technical note: The inversionInd was not available in CDA R2.0, and CDA R2.0 assumed that the source document (ClinicalDocument) was a transformation of the target document (ParentDocument). The actual definition of "XFRM: Used when the target Act is a transformation of the source Act..." requires the use of inversionInd to establish the ClinicalDocument as the target and the ParentDocument as the source for the transformation. As a result, in CDA R2.1 when "XFRM" is assigned to the relatedDocument.typeCode the associated inversionInd is assumed to be fixed to true, but does not need to be present in the instance. In all other cases, "APND", "RPLC" the associated inversionInd is not present and assumed to be false. This enables wire format compatibility between CDA R2.0 and CDA R2.1, and ensures proper interpretation of the "XFRM" ActRelationshipType code.

Link to wide graphic (opens in a new window)

5.2.3.2 ServiceEvent

ServiceEvent

The ServiceEvent is used to represent the main activity being documented. It may used to represent a specific procedure, such as a colonoscopy, an appendectomy, or other clinical activity. When the ClinicalDocument represents a summary of care, the ServiceEvent.code can be set to "PCPR" to indicate the service is care provisioning.

5.2.3.2.1 documentationOf

The optional documentationOf class is used to associate a ClinicalDocument to a ServiceEvent.

Table X: documentationOf Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] DOC Fixed

documentationOf.typeCode

The documentationOf.typeCode is fixed to "DOC" which indicates that the ClinicalDocument provides documentation is about ServiceEvent.

Table X: Fixed documentationOf.typeCode
Code Display Name
DOC documents
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002
5.2.3.2.2 ServiceEvent

In some cases, the ServiceEvent is inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, such as where ClinicalDocument.code is "History and Physical Report" and the procedure being documented is a "History and Physical". A ServiceEvent can further specialize the act inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, such as where the ClinicalDocument.code is simply "Procedure Report" and the procedure was a "colonoscopy". If ServiceEvent is included, it must be equivalent to or further specialize the value inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, and shall not conflict with the value inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, as such a conflict would constitute an ambiguous situation.

Table X: ServiceEvent Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] V:ActClassRoot Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
id II [0..*]
code CD [0..1] D:ActCode Open
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]

ServiceEvent.classCode

The ServiceEvent.classCode identifies the RIM Act class code of the service event instance.

Table X: Value set for ServiceEvent.classCode
V:ActClassRoot [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13856] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ACT (Default) act COMPOSITION composition, Attestable unit
DOC document DOCCLIN clinical document
CDALVLONE CDA Level One clinical document CONTAINER record container
CATEGORY category DOCBODY document body
CATEGORY document section, Section TOPIC topic
EXTRACT extract EHR electronic health record
FOLDER folder GROUPER grouper
CLUSTER Cluster ACCM accommodation
ACCT account ACSN accession
ADJUD financial adjudication, financial adjudication results CACT control act
ACTN action INFO information
STC state transition control CNTRCT contract
FCNTRCT financial contract COV coverage
CONS consent CONTREG container registration
CTTEVENT clinical trial timepoint event DISPACT disciplinary action
EXPOS exposure AEXPOS acquisition exposure
TEXPOS transmission exposure INC incident
INFRM inform INVE invoice element
LIST working list MPROT monitoring program
OBS Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI PCPR care provision
ENC encounter POLICY policy
JURISPOL jurisdictional policy ORGPOL organizational policy
SCOPOL scope of practice policy STDPOL standard of practice policy
PROC procedure SBEXT Substance Extraction
SPECCOLLECT Specimen Collection SBADM substance administration
REG registration REV review
SPCTRT specimen treatment SPLY supply
DIET diet STORE storage
SUBST Substitution TRFR transfer
TRNS transportation XACT financial transaction
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ServiceEvent.moodCode

The ServiceEvent.moodCode is fixed to "EVN", which indicates documentation of a past service.

Table X: Fixed ServiceEvent.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ServiceEvent.id

The optional unique identifier for the ServiceEvent.

ServiceEvent.code

The particular kind of service event that the this instance represents within its class code. The ServiceEvent.code is bound to the D:ActCode concept domain.

ServiceEvent.statusCode

The ServiceEvent.statusCode can take on any of the values defined in the D:ActStatus domain.

ServiceEvent.effectiveTime

ServiceEvent.effectiveTime can be used to indicate the time the actual event (as opposed to the encounter surrounding the event) took place.

5.2.3.2.3 performer

The performer participant represents clinicians who actually and principally carry out the ServiceEvent.

Table X: performer
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [1..1] x_ServiceEventPerformer Closed
functionCode CE [0..1] D:ParticipationFunction Open
time TS [1..1]

performer.typeCode

Allows for the optional identification of performers, primary performers and secondary performers.

Table X: Value set for performer.typeCode
v:x_ServiceEventPerformer [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19601] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
PRF performer PPRF primary performer
SPRF secondary performer
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

performer.functionCode

Performer.functionCode can be used to specify addition detail about the function of the performer (e.g. scrub nurse, third assistant). The functionCode is bound to the D:ParticipationFunction concept domain.

performer.time

Performer.time can be used to specify the time during which the performer is involved in the activity.

5.2.3.2.4 AssignedEntity

A performer is an entity in the role of assigned entity (AssignedEntity class).

5.2.3.2.5 Person

An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a person (Person] class).

5.2.3.2.6 Organization

The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

5.2.3.3 Order

Order

This class represents those orders that are fulfilled by this document. For instance, a provider orders an X-Ray. The X-Ray is performed. A radiologist reads the X-Ray and generates a report. The X-Ray order identifier is transmitted in the Order class, the performed X-Ray procedure is transmitted in the ServiceEvent class, and the ClinicalDocument.code would be valued with "Diagnostic Imaging Report".

5.2.3.3.1 inFullfillmentOf

The optional inFullfillmentOf class is used to associate a ClinicalDocument to an Order.

Table X: Fixed InFulfillmentOf.typeCode
Code Display Name
FLFS fulfills
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002
5.2.3.3.2 Order

A reference to the fulfilled order.

Table X: Order Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] V:ActClassRoot Closed
moodCode CS [0..1] RQO Fixed
id II [1..*]
code CD [0..1] D:ActCode Open
priorityCode CS [0..1] V:ActPriority Open

Order.classCode

The Order.classCode identifies the RIM Act class code of the order instance.

Table X: Value set for Order.classCode
V:ActClassRoot [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13856] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ACT (Default) act COMPOSITION composition, Attestable unit
DOC document DOCCLIN clinical document
CDALVLONE CDA Level One clinical document CONTAINER record container
CATEGORY category DOCBODY document body
CATEGORY document section, Section TOPIC topic
EXTRACT extract EHR electronic health record
FOLDER folder GROUPER grouper
CLUSTER Cluster ACCM accommodation
ACCT account ACSN accession
ADJUD financial adjudication, financial adjudication results CACT control act
ACTN action INFO information
STC state transition control CNTRCT contract
FCNTRCT financial contract COV coverage
CONS consent CONTREG container registration
CTTEVENT clinical trial timepoint event DISPACT disciplinary action
EXPOS exposure AEXPOS acquisition exposure
TEXPOS transmission exposure INC incident
INFRM inform INVE invoice element
LIST working list MPROT monitoring program
OBS Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI PCPR care provision
ENC encounter POLICY policy
JURISPOL jurisdictional policy ORGPOL organizational policy
SCOPOL scope of practice policy STDPOL standard of practice policy
PROC procedure SBEXT Substance Extraction
SPECCOLLECT Specimen Collection SBADM substance administration
REG registration REV review
SPCTRT specimen treatment SPLY supply
DIET diet STORE storage
SUBST Substitution TRFR transfer
TRNS transportation XACT financial transaction
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Order.moodCode

The Order.moodCode is fixed to "RQO", which indicates we are referencing the actual order instance.

Table X: Fixed Order.moodCode
Code Display Name
RQO request
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Order.id

The Order.id is a unique identifier for the order that was fulfilled.

Order.code

The particular kind of order that the this instance represents within its class code. The optional Order.code is bound to the D:ActCode concept domain.

Order.priorityCode

The optional Order.priorityCode, identifies the priority requested when the order was placed. It is bound to the D:ActPriority concept domain.

5.2.3.4 Consent

Consent

Provides references to consents on file.

5.2.3.4.1 authorization

The optional authorization class is used to associate a ClinicalDocument to a Consent.

Table X: authorization Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] AUTH Fixed

authorization.typeCode

Table X: Fixed authorization.typeCode
Code Display Name
AUTH authorized by
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002
5.2.3.4.2 Consent

This class references the consents associated with this document.

Table X: Consent Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] CONS Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
id II [0..*]
code CD [0..1] D:ActCode Open
statusCode CS [1..1] completed Fixed

Consent.classCode

The Consent.classCode is fixed to "CONS" to represent a consent. The Consent class represents informed consents and all similar medico-legal transactions between the patient (or his legal guardian) and the provider.

Table X: Fixed Consent.classCode
Code Display Name
CONS consent
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Consent.moodCode

The Consent.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" (event) which indicates the consent has already been captured and is assumed to be on file.

Table X:Fixed Consent.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Consent.id

Optional identifier for the consent.

Consent.code

The Consent.code is bound to the D:ActCode concept domain. It is used to optionally identify the type of consent (e.g. a consent to perform the related ServiceEvent, a consent for the information contained in the document to be released to a third party).

Consent.statusCode

Consents referenced in the CDA Header have been finalized (Consent.statusCode must equal "completed") and should be on file.

Table X: Fixed Consent.statusCode
Code Display Name
completed completed
Code System: ActStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.14

5.2.3.5 EncompassingEncounter

EncompassingEncounter

This optional class represents the setting of the clinical encounter during which the documented act(s) or ServiceEvent occurred. Documents are not necessarily generated during an encounter, such as when a clinician, in response to an abnormal lab result, attempts to contact the patient but can't, and writes a Progress Note.

5.2.3.5.1 componentOf

The optional componentOf class is used to associate the ClinicalDocument to an EncompassingEncounter.

Table X: componentOf Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] COMP Fixed

componentOf.typeCode

The componentOf.typeCode is fixed to "COMP", which indicates that the ClinicalDocument was created within the context of an encounter (encompassingEncounter).

Table X: Fixed componentOf.typeCode
Code Display Name
COMP component
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002
5.2.3.5.2 EncompassingEncounter

The EncompassingEncounter represents an interaction between a patient and care provider(s) for the purpose of providing healthcare-related service(s).

Table X: EncompassingEncounter Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] ENC Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
id II [0..*]
code CD [0..1] V:ActEncounterCode Open
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]
admissionReferralSourceCode CE [0..1] D:EncounterReferralSourceCode Open
dischargeDispositionCode CE [0..1] D:EncounterDischargeDisposition Open

EncompassingEncounter.classCode

The EncompassingEncounter.classCode is fixed to "ENC" to represent a encounter. The encounter class is used to represent an interaction between a patient and healthcare participant(s) for the purpose of providing patient service(s) or assessing the health status of a patient.

Table X: Fixed EncompassingEncounter.classCode
Code Display Name
ENC encounter
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

EncompassingEncounter.moodCode

The EncompassingEncounter.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" (event) which indicates that the encounter is on-going or completed.

Table X: Fixed EncompassingEncounter.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

EncompassingEncounter.id

The optional EncompassingEncounter.id can be used to uniquely identify the encounter.

EncompassingEncounter.code

The optional EncompassingEncounter.code is bound to the ActEncounterCode value set.

Table X: Value set for EncompassingEncounter.code
V:ActEncounterCode [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13955] (OPEN)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
AMB ambulatory EMER emergency
FLD field HH home health
IMP inpatient encounter ACUTE inpatient acute
NONAC virtual SS short stay
VR inpatient non-acute
Code System: ActCode (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.4

EncompassingEncounter.effectiveTime

For Encounters, the effectiveTime is the "administrative" time, i.e., the encounter start and end date as established by business rules. For inpatient encounters, the effectiveTime/low value is the admission date and time and the effectiveTime/high value is the discharge date and time. Note: If the encounter is still active at the time of document creation, the effectiveTime/high element can be omitted to indicate the encounter is on-going.

EncompassingEncounter.admissionReferralSourceCode

The optional EncompassingEncounter.admissionReferralSourceCode can be use to depict the type of place or organization responsible for the patient's care immediately prior to a patient encounter.

EncompassingEncounter.dischargeDispositionCode

The optional EncompassingEncounter.dischargeDispositionCode can be used to depict the disposition of the patient at the time of hospital discharge (e.g., discharged to home, expired, against medical advice, etc.).

5.2.3.5.3 location

The location participant (location class) relates a healthcare facility (HealthCareFacility class) to the encounter to indicate where the encounter took place.

Table X: location
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [1..1] LOC Fixed

location.typeCode

Table X: Fixed participant.typeCode
Code Display Name
LOC location
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90
5.2.3.5.4 HealthCareFacility

The HealthCareFacility class supports the identification of the service delivery location. The location may be the setting (place) with an optional organizational reference, or a reference to the healthcare organization.

Table X: HealthCareFacility
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] SDLOC Fixed
id SET<II> [0..*]
code CE [0..1] V:ServiceDeliveryLocation Open

HealthCareFacility.classCode

The HealthCareFacility.classCode is bound to the ServiceDeliveryLocation valueset and defaulted to the "SDLOC" to indicate the service delivery location.

Table X: Value set for HealthCareFacility.classCode
v:RoleClassServiceDeliveryLocation [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.16927] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
SDLOC (Default) service delivery location DSDLOC dedicated service delivery location, health care facility
ISDLOC incidental service delivery location
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

HealthCareFacility.id

An optional HealthCareFacility.id can be sent to uniquely identify the health care facility.

HealthCareFacility.code

The setting of an encounter (e.g. cardiology clinic, primary care clinic, rehabilitation hospital, skilled nursing facility) can be expressed in HealthCareFacility.code. A valueset ServiceDeliveryLocationRoleType is provided for the this field.

Note: In some cases, the setting of the encounter is inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, such as where ClinicalDocument.code is "Diabetes Clinic Progress Note". The setting of an encounter can also be transmitted in the HealthCareFacility.code attribute. If HealthCareFacility.code is sent, it should be equivalent to or further specialize the value inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code (such as where the ClinicalDocument.code is simply "Clinic Progress Note" and the value of HealthCareFacility.code is "cardiology clinic"), and shall not conflict with the value inherent in the ClinicalDocument.code, as such a conflict would constitute an ambiguous situation.

5.2.3.5.5 Place

The entity playing the role of HealthCareFacility is a place (Place class).

The setting (place) and physical location are not the same. There is a many-to-many relationship between setting and the physical location where care is delivered. Thus, a particular room can provide the setting for cardiology clinic one day, and for primary care clinic another day; and cardiology clinic today might be held in one physical location, but in another physical location tomorrow.

5.2.3.5.6 Organization

The entity scoping the HealthCareFacility role is an organization (Organization class). When the location is an organization, this is indicated by the presence of a scoping Organization, without a playing Place.

5.2.3.5.7 responsibleParty

The responsibleParty participant represents the participant having primary legal responsibility for the encounter. This differs from the legalAuthenticator participant in that the legalAuthenticator may or may not be the responsible party, and is serving a medical records function by signing off on the document, moving it into a completed state.

responsibleParty.typeCode

The responsibleParty.typeCode is fixed to "RESP" to indicate the responsible party i.e. The person or organization that has primary responsibility for the encounter. The responsible party is not necessarily present in an action, but is accountable for the action through the power to delegate, and the duty to review actions with the performing actor after the fact. This responsibility may be ethical, legal, contractual, fiscal, or fiduciary in nature.

Table X: Fixed responsibleParty.typeCode
Code Display Name
RESP responsible party
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

A responsibleParty is a person or organization in the role of an assigned entity (AssignedEntity class). An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a person (Person class). The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

When the responsible party is an organization, the value for AssignedEntity.classCode is "ASSIGNED", and the responsible party is reflected by the presence of a scoping Organization, without a playing entity.

5.2.3.5.8 AssignedEntity

A performer is an entity in the role of assigned entity (AssignedEntity class).

5.2.3.5.9 Person

An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a Person class.

5.2.3.5.10 Organization

The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

5.2.3.5.11 encounterParticipant

The encounterParticipant participant represents clinicians directly associated with the encounter (e.g. by initiating, terminating, or overseeing it).

Table X: performer
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [1..1] V:x_EncounterParticipant Closed
time TS [0..1]

encounterParticipant.typeCode

The encounterParticipant typeCode is bound to the x_EncounterParticipant value set. It supports for the following participation: admitter, attender, consultant, discharger, and referrer.

Table X: Value set for encounterParticipant.typeCode
V:x_EncounterParticipant [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19600] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ADM admitter ATND attender
CON consultant DIS discharger
REF
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

encounterParticipant.time

An encounterParticipant is an entity in the role of assigned entity (AssignedEntity class). An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a person (Person class). The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

5.2.3.5.12 AssignedEntity

A performer is an entity in the role of assigned entity (AssignedEntity class).

5.2.3.5.13 Person

An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a Person class.

5.2.3.5.14 Organization

The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

5.3 Body

5.3.1 Body Choice

BodyChoice

The CDA body choice can be either a document body in a format other than XML, or the CDA structured body. Every CDA document has exactly one body, associated with the ClinicalDocument class through the component relationship.

5.3.1.1 component

The component class relates the ClinicalDocument header to the body choice; NonXMLBody or StructuredBody.

Table X: documentationOf Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] DOC Fixed
contextConductionInd BL [0..1]

component.typeCode

The component.typeCode is fixed to "COMP", which indicates that the body is a component part of the StructuredDocument.

Table X: Fixed component.typeCode
Code Display Name
COMP has component
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002

component.contextConductionInd

The component.contextConductionInd indicator is fixed to "true". Ancestor elements () which propagate, will conduct through this component class to the associated child element.

5.3.1.2 NonXMLBody

The NonXMLBody class represents a document body that is in some format other than XML. The NonXMLBody can be used to represent scanned document(s) or legacy document(s) needing to be transferred using the CDA standard.

Table X: NonXMLBody Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DOCCLIN Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
text ED [1..1]
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] V:x_BasicConfidentialityKind Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed

NonXMLBody.typeCode

The ClinicalDocument.classCode in the CDA model is fixed to "DOCCLIN".

Table X: Fixed NonXMLBody.classCode
Code Display Name
DOCBODY document body
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

NonXMLBody.moodCode

The NonXMLBody.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" or event mood to indicate that this is documentation of a past service.

Table X: Fixed NonXMLBody.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

NonXMLBody.text

NonXMLBody.text is used to reference data that is stored externally to the CDA document or to encode the data directly inline. Rendering a referenced non-XML body requires a software tool that recognizes the particular MIME media type for this type of body.

NonXMLBody.confidentialityCode

Confidentiality is a required contextual component of CDA, where the value expressed in the ClinicalDocument can be overridden for the NonXMLBody of the document.

Table X: Value set for NonXMLBody.confidentialityCode
X_BasicConfidentialityKind [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.16926] (OPEN)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
N normal R restricted
V very restricted
Code System: Confidentiality (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.25

* The codeSystem value is included here because confidentialityCode is of type CE, and therefore must carry both a code and a codeSystem.

NonXMLBody.languageCode

Specifies the human language of character data (whether they be in contents or attribute values). The values of the attribute are language identifiers as defined by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) RFC 3066 for the Identification of Languages, ed. H. Alvestrand. 1995, which obsoletes RFC 1766. The HL7 code system for these values is "2.16.840.1.113883.6.121". Language is a contextual component of CDA, where the value expressed in the header holds true for the entire document, unless overridden by the NonXMLBody (as further described in CDA Context).

5.3.1.3 StructuredBody

The StructuredBody class represents a CDA document body that is comprised of one or more document sections.

Table X: StructuredBody Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DOCCLIN Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] V:x_BasicConfidentialityKind Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed

StructuredBody.classCode

Table X: Fixed StructuredBody.classCode
Code Display Name
DOCBODY document body
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

StructuredBody.moodCode

Table X: Fixed StructuredBody.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

StructuredBody.confidentialityCode

Table X: Value set for StructuredBody.confidentialityCode
X_BasicConfidentialityKind [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.16926] (OPEN)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
N normal R restricted
V very restricted
Code System: Confidentiality (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.25

* The codeSystem value is included here because confidentialityCode is of type CE, and therefore must carry both a code and a codeSystem.

confidentialityCode.HumanLanguage

5.3.1.3.1 component

A component class is used to relate the body choice (NonXMLBody, StructuredBody) to it's component Section(s). See component for its attributes.

5.3.2 Section Attributes

Section

Document sections can nest, can override context propagated from the header (see CDA Context, and can contain narrative and CDA entries.

Table X: Section Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DOCSECT Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
id ii [0..1]
code CE [1..1] D:DocumentSectionType Open
title ST [0..1]
text ED.STRUCTURED_TEXT [0..1]
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] V:x_BasicConfidentialityKind Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed

An XML attribute "ID" of type XML ID, is added to Section within the CDA Schema. This attribute serves as the target of a reference (see reference). All values of attributes of type XML ID must be unique within the document (per the W3C XML specification).

Section.classCode

The Section.classCode is fixed to "DOCSECT", which represents a context that subdivides the body of a document. Document sections are typically used for human navigation, to give a reader a clue as to the expected content. Document sections are used to organize and provide consistency to the contents of a document body. Document sections can contain document sections and can contain entries.

Table X: Fixed Section.classCode
Code Display Name
DOCSECT document section
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Section.moodCode

The Section.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" (event) which indicates the section is about a service that actually happens, may be an ongoing service or a documentation of a past service.

Table X: Fixed Section.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Section.id

The unique instance identifier of a particular document section.

Section.code

The code specifying the particular kind of section (e.g. Chief Complaint, Review of Systems, Assessment). The value set is drawn from LOINC, and has a CWE coding strength.

Section.title

Represents the label of a section. If valued, it is to be rendered as part of the narrative content of the clinical document body.

Section.text

Used to store narrative to be rendered. Also referred to as the CDA Narrative Block. See Section Narrative Block for details.

Section.confidentialityCode

A value for Section.confidentialityCode overrides the value propagated from StructuredBody. See CDA Context for more details.

Table X: Value set for Section.confidentialityCode
X_BasicConfidentialityKind [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.16926] (OPEN)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
N normal R restricted
V very restricted
Code System: Confidentiality (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.25

* The codeSystem value is included here because confidentialityCode is of type CE, and therefore must carry both a code and a codeSystem.

Section.languageCode

Specifies the human language of character data (whether they be in contents or attribute values). The values of the attribute are language identifiers as defined by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) RFC 3066: Tags for the Identification of Languages, ed. H. Alvestrand. 1995 , which obsoletes RFC 1766. The HL7 code system for these values is "2.16.840.1.113883.6.121".

A value for Section.languageCode overrides the value propagated from StructuredBody. See CDA Context for more details.

5.3.3 Section Participants

5.3.3.1 author

The author participant (described above, see author), can be ascribed to a CDA section, where it overrides the value(s) propagated from the CDA header.

5.3.3.2 informant

The informant participant (described above, see informant), can be ascribed to a CDA section where it overrides the value(s) propagated from the CDA header.

5.3.3.3 subject

The subject participant represents the primary target of the entries recorded in the document. Most of the time the subject is the same as the recordTarget (see recordTarget), but need not be, for instance when the subject is a fetus observed in an obstetrical ultrasound.

The subject participant can be ascribed to a CDA section or a CDA entry. It propagates to nested components, unless overridden. The subject of a document is presumed to be the patient.

Table X: informant
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] INF Fixed
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed
awarenessCode CE [0..1] D:TargetAwareness Open

subject.typeCode

The subject.typeCode is fixed to "SBJ" to indicate that a participant that is the principle target (subject) of the service acts documented.

Table X: Fixed subject.typeCode
Code Display Name
SBJ subject
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

subject.contextControlCode

The subject.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". Any subject(s) defined for a section will override the the Patient in recordTarget (an implicit subject) and propagate to the sub-sections and entries this section contains.

Table X: Fixed subject.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057
5.3.3.3.1 RelatedSubject

A subject is a person playing one of several possible roles (RelatedSubject class).

Table X: RelatedSubject
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] x_DocumentSubject Closed
code CE [0..1] D:PersonalRelationshipRoleType Open
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

RelatedSubject.classCode

The RelatedSubject.classCode can take two codes; "PAT" a Role of a LivingSubject (player) as a recipient of health care services from a healthcare provider (scoper) and "PRS" which links two people in a personal relationship. The character of the relationship must be defined by a PersonalRelationshipRoleType code.

Table X: Value set for RelatedSubject.classCode
v:x_DocumentSubject [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19368] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
PAT (Default) patient PRS personal relationship
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

RelatedSubject.code

The RelatedSubject.code is bound to the PersonalRelationshipRoleType concept domain

RelatedSubject.addr

An optional postal address for the subject.

RelatedSubject.telecom

An optional phone number for the subject.

5.3.3.3.2 SubjectPerson

The entity playing in the role RelatedSubject, is a person (SubjectPerson class).

Table X: SubjectPerson
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] PSN Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
id SET<II> [0..*]
name SET<PN> [0..*]
desc ED [0..1]
administrativeGenderCode CE [0..1] D:administrativeGender Open
birthTime TS [0..1]
deceasedInd BL [0..1]
deceasedTime TS [0..1]
multipleBirthInd BL [0..1]
multipleBirthOrderNumber INT [0..1]
maritalStatusCode CE [0..1] D:MaritalStatus Open
religiousAffiliationCode CE [0..1] D:ReligousAffiliation Open
raceCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Race Open
ethnicGroupCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Ethnicity Open

SubjectPerson.classCode

The SubjectPerson.classCode is fixed to "PSN", indicating that the entity is a person.

Table X: Fixed SubjectPerson.classCode
Code Display Name
PSN person
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

SubjectPerson.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates a specific person is a SubjectPerson.

Table X: Fixed SubjectPerson.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

SubjectPerson.id

Optional identifier for the SubjectPerson.

SubjectPerson.name

The subject's name.

Note: The person name data type "PN" supports current, and historical names using validTime, and the specification of different use codes can indicate legal name, tribal name, stage name and others.

SubjectPerson.desc

A textual or multimedia depiction of the subject.

SubjectPerson.administrativeGenderCode

The gender (i.e., the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex) of a living subject as defined for administrative purposes.

SubjectPerson.birthTime

The date and time of the subject's birth.

SubjectPerson.deceasedInd

An indication that the subject is dead.

SubjectPerson.deceasedTime

The date and time that the Subject's death occurred.

SubjectPerson.multipleBirthInd

An indication as to whether the subject was part of a multiple birth.

SubjectPerson.multipleBirthOrderNumber

The order within a multiple birth in which this subject was born.

SubjectPerson.maritalStatusCode

The domestic partnership status of the subject.

SubjectPerson.religiousAffiliationCode

The primary religious preference of the subject.

SubjectPerson.raceCode

The race of the subject.

Note: More than one race code is now supported in CDA R2.1.

SubjectPerson.ethnicGroupCode

The ethnic group of the subject.

Note: More than one race code is now supported in CDA R2.1.

5.3.4 Section Relationships

5.3.4.1 component

The "component" Act Relationship is used to nest a Section within a Section. Context propagates to nested sections (see CDA Context). Refer to component above for more information.

5.3.4.2 entry

The relationship between a section and its entries is encoded in the intervening "entry" Act Relationship.

The narrative of each Section, together with the multimedia content referenced in the narrative, comprises the complete authenticated content of the Section. This multimedia content consists of ObservationMedia and RegionOfInterest entries referenced by tags in the Section.text. This is the only case where the entries contain authenticated content that must be rendered with the narrative.

NOTE: See Referencing in and out of the narrative block for a discussion of referencing in and out of a section's narrative block.
Table X: entry Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] V:x_ActRelationshipEntry Fixed
contextConductionInd BL [0..1]

entry.typeCode

In terms of the relationship between a section and its entries, CDA defines a default general case, and a more specific case that can be used when applicable.

The entry relationship is defaulted to "COMP" (component), for the general case where the only assertion is that the related entries are contained within the source section and no other semantics are implied. In this case, the narrative is the original authenticated content. The CDA entries are created by various techniques (e.g., natural language processing, a human coder, a structured data entry tool that outputs both entries and a text report). The method of entry creation may be indicated by the entry participants (e.g., by identifying the algorithm or person that generated them). Relationships between various entries (such as two Observations or an Observation and an ObservationMedia) are encoded using the relationship types defined in entryRelationship.

A section may also have no narrative content in the case where the entries represent information that is not part of the clinical content of the document. A report may embed information referencing evidence data, reagents, calibration or other information that may be used for later processing but is not part of the clinical content. Such entries are also linked to the Section with ActRelationships possessing typeCode="COMP".

The entry relationship "DRIV" (is derived from) can be used in the special case where the narrative is fully derived from CDA Entries. When a report consisting entirely of structured entries is transformed into CDA, the encoding application must ensure that the authenticated content (narrative plus multimedia) is a faithful and complete rendering of the clinical content of the structured source data. This ensures that the narrative plus multimedia represents, as in all CDA documents, the complete authenticated content of the Section. In this case, narrative plus multimedia does not contain any clinical content that is not present in the Entries. An example of this case is a DICOM Structured Reporting document of obstetrical measurements made by ultrasound, rendered into a tabular report by a program converting it to CDA narrative block. If the typeCode of the ActRelationship linking these Entries to the Section was "DRIV", it would indicate to a receiving application: 1) the source of the narrative block is the Entries; 2) the contents of the two are equivalent.

The entries sourced from a Section may have a mix of ActRelationship typeCodes. In such a case, the union of the targets with a "DRIV" relationship are those used to generate the narrative block, and are those that, taken in total, are equivalent to the narrative block. Additional entries with "COMP" relationships are contained within the same section, with no implied semantics.

Table X: Value set for entry.typeCode
V:x_ActRelationshipEntry [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19446] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
COMP (Default) has component DRIV is derived from
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002

entry.contextConductionInd

The component.contextConductionInd indicator is fixed to "true". Ancestor elements () which propagate, will conduct through this component class to the associated child element.

5.3.5 Section Narrative Block

The Section.text field is used to store narrative to be rendered, as described above in CDA Conformance, and is therefore referred to as the CDA Narrative Block.

The CDA Narrative Block schema can be found here.

The content model of the CDA Narrative Block schema is specially hand crafted to meet the requirements outlined above (see Human Readability and Rendering CDA Documents). The schema is registered as a MIME type (text/x-hl7-text+xml), which is the fixed media type for Section.text. Components of the schema are described in the sections that follow.

5.3.5.1 <content>

The CDA <content> element is used to wrap a string of text so that it can be explicitly referenced, or so that it can suggest rendering characteristics. The <content> element can nest recursively, which enables wrapping a string of plain text down to as small a chunk as desired.

The <content> element contains an optional identifier, that can serve as the target of a reference. All values of attributes of type XML ID must be unique within the document (per the W3C XML specification). The originalText component of a RIM attribute present in any CDA entry can make explicit reference to the identifier, thereby indicating the original text associated with the attribute in the CDA entry.

Note: The <content> element is not the only element which can serve as the target of a reference. All narrative elements (including <text>) contain an ID element which can be referenced by the originalText component in a CDA entry. <content> is simply a tool which can be used to reference only a portion of a longer string contained in another narrative element.

Example X
<section>
   <code code="10153-2" 
    codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1" 
    codeSystemName="LOINC"/>
   <title>Past Medical History</title>
   <text>
    There is a history of <content ID="a1">Asthma</content>
   </text>
   <entry>
      <observation classCode="OBS" moodCode="EVN">
         <code code="195967001" 
          codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96" 
          codeSystemName="SNOMED CT" 
          displayName="Asthma">
            <originalText>
               <reference value="#a1"/>
            </originalText>
         </code>
         <statusCode code="completed"/>
      </observation>
   </entry>
</section>

There is no requirement that CDA entries must reference into the CDA Narrative Block. The referencing mechanism can be used where it is important to represent the original text component of a coded CDA entry.

The <content> element contains an optional "revised" attribute that can be valued with "insert" or "delete", which can be used to indicate narrative changes from the last version of a CDA document. The attribute is limited to a single generation, in that it only reflects the changes from the preceding version of a document. If applied, it needs to be used in conjunction with standard CDA revision tracking. Changes to a CDA document that has been released for patient care still require a formal versioning and revision, and the revised document can optionally carry the "revised" attribute to show the delta in the narrative. Receivers are required to interpret the "revised" attribute when rendering by visually distinguishing or suppressing deleted narrative.

5.3.5.2 <linkHtml>

The CDA <linkHtml> is a generic referencing mechanism, similar, but not identical, to the HTML anchor tag. It can be used to reference identifiers that are either internal or external to the document.

Multimedia that is integral to a document, and part of the attestable content of the document requires the use of the ObservationMedia CDA entry, which is referenced by the <renderMultiMedia> element (see <renderMultiMedia>). Multimedia that is simply referenced by the document and not an integral part of the document can use <linkHtml>.

The source of a link uses the linkHtml.href attribute. The target of an internal reference is an identifier of type XML ID, which can exist on other elements in the same or a different narrative block, or XML ID attributes that have been added to the <section>, <ObservationMedia>, or <renderMultiMedia> elements of the CDA Schema. The linkHtml.name attribute is deprecated, because attributes of type XML ID provide an alternative and more consistent target for referencing. Following the conventions of HTML, an internal link is prefaced with the pound sign, as shown in the following example.

Example X
<section ID="SECT001">
   <code code="10164-2" codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1" 
    codeSystemName="LOINC"/>
   <title>History of Present Illness</title>
   <text>Mr. Smith is a 57 year old male presenting with 
    chest pain. He sustained a myocardial infarction 3 years 
    ago, ...
   </text>
</section>

 ...

<section ID="SECT003">
   <code code="10153-2" codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1" 
    codeSystemName="LOINC"/>
   <title>Past Medical History</title>
   <text>History of coronary artery disease, as noted
    <linkHtml href="#SECT001">above</linkHtml>.</text>
</section>

CDA links do not convey shareable meaning. Shareable semantics are only achieved by the inclusion of CDA entries and their associated formalized relationships. There is no requirement that a receiver render an internal or external link, or the target of an external link.

5.3.5.3 <sub> and <sup>

The CDA <sub> and <sup> elements are used to indicate subscripts and superscripts, respectively.

Receivers are required to interpret these elements when rendering by visually distinguishing subscripted and superscripted characters.

5.3.5.4 <br>

The CDA <br/> element is used to indicate a hard line break. It differs from the CDA <paragraph> element in that the <br/> element has no content. Receivers are required to interpret this element when rendering so as to represent a line break.

5.3.5.5 <footnote> and <footnoteRef>

The CDA <footnote> element is used to indicate a footnote. The element contains the footnote, inline with the flow of text to which it is applied.

The <footnoteRef> element can reference an existing footnote in the same or different CDA Narrative Block of the same document. It can be used when the same footnote is being used multiple times. The value of the footnoteRef.IDREF must be an footnote.ID value in the same document.

Receivers are required to interpret these elements when rendering by visually distinguishing footnoted text. The exact rendition is at the discretion of the recipient, and might include a mark at the location of the footnote with a hyperlink to the footnoted text, a simple demarcation (such as "This is the text [this is the footnote] that is being footnoted"), etc.

5.3.5.6 <renderMultiMedia>

The CDA <renderMultiMedia> element references external multimedia that is integral to a document, and part of the attestable content of the document, and serves to show where the referenced multimedia is to be rendered.

The <renderMultiMedia> element has an optional <caption>, and contains a required referencedObject attribute (of type XML IDREFS), the values of which must equal the XML ID value(s) of ObservationMedia or RegionOfInterest CDA entries within the same document.

Example X
<section>
   <code code="8709-8" codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1" 
    codeSystemName="LOINC"/>
   <title>Skin exam</title>
   <text>Erythematous rash, palmar surface, left index 
    finger.<renderMultiMedia referencedObject="MM1"/>
   </text>
   <entry>
      <observationMedia classCode="OBS" moodCode="EVN" ID="MM1">
         <id root="2.16.840.1.113883.19.2.1"/>
         <value xsi:type="ED" mediaType="image/jpeg">
            <reference value="left_hand_image.jpeg"/>
         </value>
      </observationMedia>
   </entry>
</section>

Multimedia that is simply referenced by the document and not an integral part of the document must use <linkHtml>.

The expected behavior is that the referenced multimedia should be rendered or referenced at the point of reference. Where a caption is present, it must also be rendered. <renderMultiMedia> can either reference a single ObservationMedia, or one or more RegionOfInterest. If <renderMultiMedia> references a single ObservationMedia, that ObservationMedia should be rendered or referenced at the point of reference. If <renderMultiMedia> references one or more RegionOfInterest, all RegionOfInterests should be rendered or referenced at the point of reference, atop the multimedia they are regions of. If <renderMultiMedia> references more than one RegionOfInterest, each RegionOfInterest must be a region on the same multimedia.

5.3.5.7 <paragraph>

A CDA <paragraph> is similar to the HTML paragraph, which allows blocks of narrative to be broken up into logically consistent structures. A CDA <paragraph> element contains an optional caption, which if present must come first before any other character data.

5.3.5.8 <list>

A CDA <list> is similar to the HTML list. A CDA <list> has an optional caption, and contains one or more <item> elements. A CDA <item> element contains an optional caption, which if present must come first before any other character data. The required listType attribute specifies whether the <list> is ordered or unordered (with unordered being the default). Unordered lists are typically rendered with bullets, whereas ordered lists are typically rendered with numbers, although this is not a requirement.

5.3.5.9 <table>

The CDA <table> is similar to the HTML table. The table markup is for presentation purposes only and, unlike a database table, does not possess meaningful field names. Remember to access the discrete data conveyed in a CDA document, process the RIM models contained within the <entry> element.

CDA modifies the strict XHTML table model by removing formatting tags and by setting the content model of cells to be similar to the contents of other elements in the CDA Narrative Block. A notable enhancement to the CDA R2.1 standard is the support of the <table> element within <td> & <th> elements. The support of tables within tables was not supported in CDA R2.0, but has been added for those implementation requiring complex table layouts.

The table.border, table.cellspacing, and table.cellpadding attributes are deprecated, because the styleCode attribute (see styleCode attribute) provides a more consistent way for senders to suggest rendering characteristics.

5.3.5.10 <caption>

The CDA <caption> is a label for a paragraph, list, list item, table, or table cell. It can also be used within the <renderMultiMedia> element to indicate a label for referenced ObservationMedia and RegionOfInterest entries. A <caption> contains plain text and may contain links and footnotes.

5.3.5.11 styleCode attribute

The styleCode attribute is used within the CDA Narrative Block to give the instance author the ability to suggest rendering characteristics of the nested character data. Receivers are not required to render documents using the style hints provided and can present stylized text in accordance with their local style conventions.

The value set is drawn from the HL7 styleType vocabulary domain, and has a CWE coding strength.

Table X: Value set for styleCode (CWE)
Code Definition
Font style (Defines font rendering characteristics.)
Bold Render with a bold font.
Underline Render with an underlines font.
Italics Render italicized.
Emphasis Render with some type of emphasis.
Table rule style (Defines table cell rendering characteristics.
Lrule Render cell with left-sided rule.
Rrule Render cell with right-sided rule.
Toprule Render cell with rule on top.
Botrule Render cell with rule on bottom.
Ordered list style (Defines rendering characteristics for ordered lists.)
Arabic List is ordered using Arabic numerals: 1, 2, 3.
LittleRoman List is ordered using little Roman numerals: i, ii, iii.
BigRoman List is ordered using big Roman numerals: I, II, III.
LittleAlpha List is ordered using little alpha characters: a, b, c.
BigAlpha List is ordered using big alpha characters: A, B, C.
Unordered list style (Defines rendering characteristics for unordered lists.)
Disc List bullets are simple solid discs.
Circle List bullets are hollow discs.
Square List bullets are solid squares.

Local extensions to the styleType vocabulary domain must follow the following convention: [x][A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9]* (first character is "x", second character is an upper or lower case A-Z, remaining characters are any combination of upper and lower case letters or numbers).

The styleCode attribute can contain multiple values, separated by white space. Where an element containing a styleCode attribute is nested within another element containing a styleCode attribute, the style effects are additive, as in the following example:

Example X
<section>
   <text><content styleCode="Bold">This is rendered bold, 
    <content styleCode="Italics">this is rendered bold and 
    italicized,</content> this is rendered bold. </content>
    <content styleCode="Bold Italics">This is also rendered 
    bold and italicized.</content>
   </text>
</section>

5.3.5.12 Referencing in and out of the narrative block

NOTE: See entry for a discussion of the relationships between a section and its contained entries.

To summarize the mechanisms for referencing in and out of the CDA Narrative Block:

CDA entries can point in to the <content> element of the CDA Narrative Block (see <content>).

The <linkHtml> element of the CDA Narrative Block can reference targets that are either internal or external to the document (see <linkHtml>).

The <footnoteRef> element of the CDA Narrative Block can reference a <footnote> element in the same or different CDA Narrative Block of the same document (see <footnote> and <footnoteRef>).

The <renderMultiMedia> element of the CDA Narrative Block can point out to CDA ObservationMedia and RegionOfInterest entries of the same document (see <renderMultiMedia>).

5.3.6 Entry Acts

CDA entries represent the structured computer-processable components within a document section. Each section can contain zero to many entries.

Clinical documents contain a wide breadth of content, requiring much of the RIM to enable a full and complete encoding. The current set of CDA entries have been developed in response to identified requirements and scenarios that are in CDA's scope. Rather than creating specific entries for each scenario, similar requirements are merged to create broader entries, which can then be constrained within a particular realm or implementation. This approach is consistent with the approach taken by CEN, DICOM, and OpenEHR.

The model for CDA entries is derived from the shared HL7 Clinical Statement model, which is a collaborative project between several committees striving to provide a consistent representation of clinical observations and acts across various V3 specifications.

5.3.6.1 Act

Act

A derivative of the RIM Act class, to be used when the other classes present in the CDA Clinical Statement choice pattern are not appropriate.

Table X: Act Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] V:x_ActClassDocumentEntryAct Closed
moodCode CS [1..1] V:x_DocumentActMood Closed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CD [1..1] D:ActCode Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
negationInd (Deprecated) BL [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]
activityTime GTS [0..1]
availabilityTime TS [0..1]
priorityCode CE [0..1] D:ActPriority Open
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Confidentiality Open
uncertaintyCode CE [0..1] D:ActUncertainty Open
reasonCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:ActReason Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed

Act.classCode

The major class of Acts to which an Act-instance belongs.

Table X: Value set for Act.classCode
x_ActClassDocumentEntryAct [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19599] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ACT Act ACCM accommodation
CONS consent CTTEVENT clinical trial timepoint event
INC incident INFRM inform
PCPR care provision REG registration
SPCTRT specimen treatment TRNS transportation
ACSN accession CONTREG container registration
DISPACT disciplinary action EXPOS exposure
AEXPOS acquisition exposure TEXPOS transmission exposure
LIST working list MPROT monitoring program
REV review STORE storage
TRFR transfer
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Act.moodCode

The intended use of the Act statement: as a report of fact, a command, a possibility, a goal, etc. Since the mood code is a determining factor for the meaning of an entire Act object, the mood must always be known. This means that whenever an act object is instantiated, the mood attribute SHALL be assigned to a valid code, and the mood assignment SHALL NOT change throughout the lifetime of the act object.

Table X: Value set for Act.moodCode
V:x_DocumentActMood [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19458] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
APT appointment ARQ appointment request
EVN event DEF definition
RQO request INT intent
PRMS promise PRP proposal
RSK risk
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Act.id

A unique identifier for the Act.

Act.code

The particular kind of Act that the Act-instance represents within its class. Act.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the Act.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Act type (determined by the "classCode" attribute). It allows the use of rich terminologies such as LOINC and SNOMED to represent sub-types of the limited set of Act types defined by "classCode." The Act.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

Act.actionNegation

Act.actionNegationInd, indicates that the Act statement is a negation of the Act in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. For Act, actionNegationInd indicates that the act itself did not occur. I.e. no act took place. Some properties such as Act.id, Act.moodCode, and the participations are not affected. These properties always have the same meaning: i.e., the author remains the author of the negative Act. An act statement with negationInd is still a statement about the specific fact described by the Act.

Act.negationInd

Act.negationInd, is deprecated in RIM 2.35, and CDA R2.1 retains it for backwards compatibility. CDA R2.1 compliant implementation guides should use actionNegationInd moving forward.

Act.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the Act. The Act.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

Act.statusCode

The status reflects the state of the activity. The RIM based state machine diagram depicts the allowable state transitions that an Act.StatusCodes can take on.

Table X: Value set for Act.statusCode
V:ActStatus [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.15933] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
normal normal aborted aborted
active active cancelled cancelled
completed completed held held
new new suspended suspended
nullified nullified obsolete obsolete
Code System: ActStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.14

Act.effectiveTime

Act.effectiveTime is used to indicate the clinically or operationally relevant time of a procedure, exclusive of administrative activity.

Act.activityTime

Act.activityTime is a time expression specifying when an act occurs, inclusive of administrative time E.g. times of component actions, such as preparation and clean-up. Depending on the mood code used, it represents the time the act occurred, is supposed to occur, is scheduled to occur, etc.

Act.availabilityTime

Act.availabilityTime is the point in time at which information about an act instance (regardless of mood) first became available to a system. The availabilityTime is metadata describing the recording of, not the act itself.

Act.priorityCode

The urgency under which the Act happened, can happen, is happening, is intended to happen, or is requested/demanded to happen. The Act.priorityCode is bound to the ActPriority concept domain.

Act.confidentialityCode

Constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Act, regardless of mood. The Act.confidentialityCode is bound to the Confidentiality concept domain.

Act.uncertaintyCode

An indication that the Act statement as a whole, with its subordinate components has been asserted to be uncertain in some way. The use of the uncertaintyCode is appropriate only if the entirety of the Act and its dependent Acts is questioned. The Act.uncertaintyCode is bound to the ActUncertainty concept domain.

Act.reasonCode

The motivation, cause, or rationale of an Act, when such rationale is not reasonably represented as an ActRelationship of type "has reason" linking to another Act. The Act.reasonCode is bound to the ActReason concept domain.

Most reasons for acts can be clearly expressed by linking the new Act to another prior Act record using an ActRelationship of type "has reason." This simply states that the prior Act is a reason for the new Act (see ActRelationship). The prior act can then be a specific existing act or a textual explanation. This works for most cases, and the more specific the reason data is, the more should this reason ActRelationship be used instead of the reasonCode.

The reasonCode remains as a place for common reasons that are not related to a prior Act or any other condition expressed in Acts. Indicators that something was required by law or was on the request of a patient may qualify. However, if that piece of legislation, regulation, or the contract or the patient request can be represented as an Act (and they usually can), such a representation is preferable to the reasonCode.

Act.languageCode

The primary language in which this Act statement is specified, particularly the language of the Act.text. The Act.languageCode is bound to the HumanLanguage concept domain.

5.3.6.2 Encounter

Encounter

A derivative of the RIM PatientEncounter class, used to represent related encounters, such as follow-up visits or referenced past encounters.

NOTE: The EncompassingEncounter class in the CDA Header (see Header Relationships) represents the setting of the clinical encounter during which the documented act occurred. The Encounter class in the CDA Body is used to represent other related encounters.
Table X: Encounter Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] ENC Fixed
moodCode CS [1..1] V:x_DocumentEncounterMood Closed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CD [1..1] D:ActCode Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
negationInd (Deprecated) BL [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]
activityTime GTS [0..1]
availabilityTime TS [0..1]
priorityCode CE [0..1] D:ActPriority Open
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Confidentiality Open
uncertaintyCode CE [0..1] D:ActUncertainty Open
reasonCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:ActReason Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed
admissionReferralSourceCode <CE> [0..1] D:EncounterReferralSource Open
lengthOfStayQuantity <PQ>.TIME [0..1]
dischargeDispositionCode <CE> [0..1] D:EncounterDischargeDisposition Open
preAdmitTestInd BL [0..1]
specialCourtesiesCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:EncounterSpecialCourtesy Open
specialArrangementCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:SpecialArrangement Open

Encounter.classCode

The Encounter.classCode is fixed to "ENC" to represent an encounter. The encounter class is used to represent an interaction between a patient and healthcare participant(s) for the purpose of providing patient service(s) or assessing the health status of a patient.

Table X: Fixed Encounter.classCode
Code Display Name
ENC (Fixed) encounter
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Encounter.moodCode

The Encounter.moodCode is bound to the x_DocumentEncounterMood value set. This enables to the modeling of both past, present and planned future encounters.

Table X: Value set for Encounter.moodCode
V:x_DocumentEncounterMood [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19459] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
APT appointment ARQ appointment request
EVN event DEF definition
RQO request INT intent
PRMS promise PRP proposal
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Encounter.id

The optional EncompassingEncounter.id can be used to uniquely identify the encounter.

Encounter.code

The optional EncompassingEncounter.code is bound to the ActEncounterCode value set.

Table X: Value set for EncompassingEncounter.code
V:ActEncounterCode [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13955] (OPEN)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
AMB ambulatory EMER emergency
FLD field HH home health
IMP inpatient encounter ACUTE inpatient acute
NONAC virtual SS short stay
VR inpatient non-acute
Code System: ActCode (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.4

Encounter.actionNegation

Encounter.actionNegationInd, indicates that the Encounter statement is a negation of the Encounter in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. For Encounter, actionNegationInd indicates that the Encounter itself did not occur. I.e. no Encounter took place. Some properties such as Encounter.id, Encounter.moodCode, and the participations are not affected. These properties always have the same meaning: i.e., the author remains the author of the negative Encounter.

Encounter.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the Encounter. The Encounter.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

Encounter.statusCode

The status reflects the state of the Encounter. The RIM based state machine diagram depicts the allowable state transitions that an Encounter.statusCode can take on.

Encounter.effectiveTime

For Encounters, the effectiveTime is the "administrative" time, i.e., the encounter start and end date as established by business rules. For inpatient encounters, the effectiveTime/low value is the admission date and time and the effectiveTime/high value is the discharge date and time. Note: If the encounter is still active at the time of document creation, the effectiveTime/high element can be omitted to indicate the encounter is on-going.

Encounter.activityTime

Encounter.activityTime is a time expression specifying when an Encounter occurs, inclusive of administrative time E.g. times of component actions, such as preparation and clean-up. Depending on the mood code used, it represents the time the Encounter occurred, is supposed to occur, is scheduled to occur, etc.

Encounter.availabilityTime

Encounter.availabilityTime is the point in time at which information about an Encounter instance (regardless of mood) first became available to a system. The availabilityTime is metadata describing the recording of, not the Encounter itself.

Encounter.priorityCode

The urgency under which the Encounter happened, can happen, is happening, is intended to happen, or is requested/demanded to happen. The Encounter.priorityCode is bound to the ActPriority concept domain.

Encounter.confidentialityCode

Constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Encounter, regardless of mood. The Encounter.confidentialityCode is bound to the Confidentiality concept domain.

Encounter.reasonCode

The motivation, cause, or rationale of an Encounter, when such rationale is not reasonably represented as an ActRelationship of type "has reason" linking to another Act. The Encounter.reasonCode is bound to the ActReason concept domain.

Encounter.languageCode

The primary language in which this Encounter statement is specified, particularly the language of the Encounter.text. The Encounter.languageCode is bound to the HumanLanguage concept domain.

Encounter.admissionReferralSourceCode

The optional EncompassingEncounter.admissionReferralSourceCode can be use to depict the type of place or organization responsible for the patient's care immediately prior to a patient encounter.

Encounter.lengthOfStayQuantity

The total quantity of time when the subject is expected to be or was resident at a facility as part of an encounter. Note, the actual days quantity cannot be simply calculated from the admission and discharge dates because of possible leaves of absence.

Encounter.dischargeDispositionCode

The optional EncompassingEncounter.dischargeDispositionCode can be used to depict the disposition of the patient at the time of hospital discharge (e.g., discharged to home, expired, against medical advice, etc.).

Encounter.preAdmitTestInd

An indication that pre-admission tests are required for this patient encounter.

Encounter.specialArrangementCode

Extraordinary considerations or services provided within the context of the Patient Encounter. Examples include: Professional courtesy, VIP courtesies, no courtesies

5.3.6.3 Observation

Observation

A derivative of the Observation(§ RIM 5.36) class, it is intended to result in new information about a subject. The main difference between Observations and other Acts is that Observations have a value attribute. The code attribute of Observation and the value attribute of Observation must be considered in combination to determine the semantics of the observation.

Table X: Observation Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] <= OBS" is V:ActClassObservation Closed
moodCode CS [1..1] V:x_ActMoodDocumentObservation Closed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CD [1..1] D:ObservationType Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
negationInd (Deprecated) BL [0..1]
derivationExpr ST [0..1]
title ED [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]
activityTime GTS [0..1]
availabilityTime TS [0..1]
priorityCode CE [0..1] D:ActPriority Open
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Confidentiality Open
repeatNumber IVL<INT> [0..1]
uncertaintyCode CE [0..1] D:ActUncertainty Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed
isCriterionInd BL [0..1]
value SET<ANY> [0..*] D:ObservationValue Open
valueNegationInd BL [0..1]
interpretationCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:ObservationInterpretation Open
methodCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:ObservationMethod Open
targetSiteCode SET<CD> [0..*] D:ActSite Open

Observation.classCode

The defines a specific sub-type of a given Observation type.

Table X: Value set for Observation.classCode
V:ActClassObservation [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11529] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
OBS Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Observation.moodCode

The intended use of the Observation statement: as a report of fact, a command, a possibility, a goal, etc. Since the mood code is a determining factor for the meaning of an entire Observation object, the mood must always be known. This means that whenever an Observation is instantiated, the mood attribute SHALL be assigned to a valid code, and the mood assignment SHALL NOT change throughout the lifetime of the Observation.

Table X: Value set for Observation.moodCode
V:x_ActMoodDocumentObservation [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19644] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
APT appointment ARQ appointment request
EVN event DEF definition
GOL goal INT intent
PRMS promise PRP proposal
RSK risk RQO request
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Observation.id

A unique identifier for the Observation.

Observation.code

The particular kind of Observation that the Observation-instance represents within its class. Observation.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the Observation.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Observation type (determined by the "classCode" attribute). The Observation.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

Observation.actionNegationInd

Observation.actionNegationInd, indicates that the Act statement is a negation of the Act in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. For Observations, actionNegationInd indicates that the act itself did not occur. I.e. no observation took place. To indicate that an observation did occur but the finding was negative, use Observation.valueNegationInd.

Observation.negationInd

Observation.negationInd, is deprecated in RIM 2.35, and CDA R2.1 retains it for backwards compatibility. It was deprecated as the type of negation required knowledge of template documentation to determine the actual type of negation I.e. value or action negation. CDA R2.1 compliant implementation guides should use actionNegationInd or valueNegationInd moving forward.

Observation.derivationExpr

A character string containing a formal language expression that specifies how the Observation's attributes are, should be, or have been derived from input parameters associated with derivation relationships. Derived observations can be defined through association with other observations using ActRelationships of type "derivation." For example, to define a derived observation for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) one will associate the MCH observation with a Hemoglobin (HGB) observation and a Red Blood cell Count (RBC) observation: the derivation expression value encodes the formula: MCH = HGB / RBC.

Observation.title

A word or phrase by which a specific Observation may be known among people. This is not a formal identifier but rather a human-recognizable common name. However it is similar to the id attribute in that it refers to a specific Observation rather than a 'kind' of Observation. (For definition mood, the title refers to that specific definition, rather than to a broad category that might be conveyed with Observation.code.)

Observation.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the Observation. The Observation.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

Observation.statusCode

The status reflects the state of the activity. The RIM based state machine diagram depicts the allowable state transitions that an Observation.StatusCode can take on.

Table X: Value set for Observation.statusCode
V:ActStatus [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.15933] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
normal normal aborted aborted
active active cancelled cancelled
completed completed held held
new new suspended suspended
nullified nullified obsolete obsolete
Code System: ActStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.14

Observation.effectiveTIme

Observation.effectiveTime is used to indicate the clinically or operationally relevant time of an observation, exclusive of administrative activity. For example, in a Blood Gas Analysis (BGA), a result might not be available for several minutes after the specimen was taken. The effectiveTime is the time the specimen was taken, the availabilityTime would be the time the result was available for review. For clinical Observations, the effectiveTime represents the time at which the observation holds (is effective) for the patient. In V2 the effectiveTime was known as the biologically relevant time.

Observation.activityTime

Observation.activityTime is a time expression specifying when an Observation occurs, inclusive of administrative time E.g. times of component actions, such as preparation and clean-up. Depending on the mood code used, it represents the time the observation occurred, is supposed to occur, is scheduled to occur, etc. When an observation of a prior symptom is made, the activityTime describes the time the observation is made, as opposed to effectiveTime which is the time the symptom is reported to have occurred. Thus the activityTime may be entirely different from the effectiveTime for the same observation instance.

Observation.availabilityTIme

Observation.availabilityTime is the point in time at which information about an observation instance (regardless of mood) first became available to a system. The availabilityTime is metadata describing the recording of, not the Observation itself. For CDA documents, the availabilityTime reported for its contents, would represent the time the observation first became available to a source system generating the CDA document.

Observation.priorityCode

The urgency under which the Act happened, can happen, is happening, is intended to happen, or is requested/demanded to happen. The Act.priorityCode is bound to the ActPriority concept domain.

Observation.confidentialityCode

Constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Observation, regardless of mood. The Observation.confidentialityCode is bound to the Confidentiality concept domain.

Observation.repeatNumber

An interval of integer numbers stating the minimal and maximal number of repetitions of the Observation.

Observation.uncertaintyCode

An indication that the Observation statement as a whole, with its subordinate components has been asserted to be uncertain in some way. The use of the uncertaintyCode is appropriate only if the entirety of the Observation and its dependent Acts is questioned. The Observation.uncertaintyCode is bound to the ActUncertainty concept domain.

Observation.languageCode

The primary language in which this Observation statement is specified, particularly the language of the Observation.text. The Observation.languageCode is bound to the HumanLanguage concept domain.

Observation.isCriterionInd

Is defaulted to false, when set to true it indicates that the data conveyed by the act, including outbound associations, represent "criteria" for some other act, not a "real" act. I.e. If an Act exists with a classCode of ACT and a moodCode of RQO and isCriterionInd is true, it does not represent an order for an act. Rather, it represents a criteria that will match on all orders.

Observation.value

The result of the observation action. Extensive usage notes are available in the RIM, reference Value UsageNotes

Observation.valueNegationInd

Observation.valueNegationInd, indicates that when the observation event occurred, the finding communicated by the value attribute was NOT found. So, when we want to indicate the patient does not have asthma, we can negate a finding of asthma, using this indicator. Note: This attribute should only be used when the terminology used for Observation.value is not itself capable of expressing negated findings. (E.g. ICD9).

Observation.interpretationCode

A qualitative interpretation of the observation. These interpretation codes are sometimes called "abnormal flags," however, the judgment of normalcy is just one of the interpretations, and is often not relevant. For example, the susceptibility interpretations are not about "normalcy," and for any observation of a pathologic condition, it does not make sense to state the normalcy, since pathologic conditions are never considered "normal."

Observation.methodCode

The means or technique used to ascertain the observation. In all observations the method is already partially specified by the Observation.code. In this case, the methodCode NEED NOT be used at all. The methodCode MAY still be used to identify this method more clearly in addition to what is implied from the Observation.code. However, an information consumer system or process SHOULD NOT depend on this methodCode information for method detail that is implied by the Observation.code.

Observation.targetSiteCode

The anatomical site or system that is the focus of the observation. Most observation target sites are implied by the observation definition and Observation.code, or Observation.value. For example, "heart murmur" always has the heart as target. This attribute is used only when the observation target site needs to be refined, to distinguish right from left, etc. If the subject of the Observation is something other than a human patient or animal, the attribute is used analogously to specify a structural landmark of the thing where the Observation focuses. For example, if the subject is a lake, the site could be inflow and outflow, etc. If the subject is a lymphatic node, "hilus," "periphery," or other node sites would be valid target sites.

5.3.6.3.1 Reference Range

An Observation can have zero to many referenceRange relationships, which relate an Observation to the ObservationRange class.

referenceRange.typeCode

The referenceRange.typeCode has been fixed to "REFV", which indicates an association to a reference range.

Table X: Fixed referenceRange.typeCode
Code Display Name
REFV has reference values
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002
5.3.6.3.2 ObservationRange

ObservationRange or reference ranges are essentially descriptors of a class of result values assumed to be "normal", "abnormal", or "critical." Those can vary by sex, age, or any other criterion.

Table X: ObservationRange Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] <= OBS is V:ActClassObservation Closed w/ Default
moodCode CS [0..1] ENV.CRT Fixed
code CD [1..1] D:ActCode Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
isCriterionInd BL [0..1]
value SET<ANY> [0..*] D:ObservationValue Open
valueNegationInd BL [0..1]
interpretationCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:ObservationInterpretation Open

ObservationRange.classCode

Table X: Value set for ObservationRange.classCode
V:ActClassObservation [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11529] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
OBS (Default) Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ObservationRange.moodCode

The ObservationRange.moodCode is fixed to the "EVN.CRT" (event criterion). The "EVN.CRT" is a criterion or condition over service events that must apply for an associated service to be considered.

Table X: Fixed ObservationRange.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN.CRT event criterion
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ObservationRange.code

The particular kind of Observation that the ObservationRange-instance represents within its class. ObservationRange.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the ObservationRange.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Observation type (determined by the "classCode" attribute). The ObservationRange.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

ObservationRange.actionNegationInd

ObservationRange.actionNegationInd, indicates that the ObservationRange statement is a negation of the ObservationRange in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. For Observations, actionNegationInd indicates that the act itself did not occur. I.e. no observation took place. To indicate that an observation did occur but the finding was negative, use Observation.valueNegationInd.

ObservationRange.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the ObservationRange. The ObservationRange.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

ObservationRange.isCriterionInd

Is set to true to indicate that the data conveyed by the ObservationRange, including outbound associations, represent "criteria" for some other act, not a "real" act. I.e. If an Act exists with a classCode of ACT and a moodCode of RQO and isCriterionInd is true, it does not represent an order for an act. Rather, it represents a criteria that will match on all orders.

ObservationRange.value

The result of the ObservationRange action. Extensive usage notes are available in the RIM, reference Value UsageNotes

ObservationRange.valueNegationInd

ObservationRange.valueNegationInd, indicates that when the ObservationRange event occurred, the finding communicated by the value attribute was NOT found. Note: This attribute should only be used when the terminology used for ObservationRange.value is not itself capable of expressing negated findings. (E.g. ICD9).

ObservationRange.interprerationCode

A qualitative interpretation of the ObservationRange. These interpretation codes are sometimes called "abnormal flags," however, the judgment of normalcy is just one of the interpretations, and is often not relevant. For example, the susceptibility interpretations are not about "normalcy," and for any observation of a pathologic condition, it does not make sense to state the normalcy, since pathologic conditions are never considered "normal."

5.3.6.4 ObservationMedia

ObservationMedia

A derivative of the RIM Observation class that represents multimedia that is logically part of the current document. This class is only for multimedia that is logically part of the attested content of the document. Rendering a referenced ObservationMedia requires a software tool that recognizes the particular MIME media type. The distinction between ObservationMedia and ExternalObservation is that ObservationMedia entries are part of the attested content of the document whereas ExternalObservations are not. For instance, when a clinician draws a picture as part of a progress note, that picture is represented as a CDA ObservationMedia. If that clinician is also describing a finding seen on a chest-x-ray, the referenced chest-x-ray is represented as a CDA ExternalObservation.

Table X: ObservationMedia Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] <= OBS is V:ActClassObservation Closed
moodCode CS [1..1] EVN Fixed
id SET <II> [0..*]
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed
value ED [1..1]

NOTE: XML ID Attribute added

An XML attribute "ID" of type XML ID, is added to ObservationMedia within the CDA Schema. This attribute serves as the target of a <renderMultiMedia> reference (see <renderMultiMedia>). All values of attributes of type XML ID must be unique within the document (per the W3C XML specification).

ObservationMedia.classCode

The ObservationMedia.classCode is defaulted to "OBS" for Observation, but can be set to any sub-type of Observation that may more accurately characterize the multi-media referenced via the ObservationMedia class.

Table X: Value set for ObservationMedia.classCode
V:ActClassObservation [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11529] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
OBS (Default) Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ObservationMedia.moodCode

The ObservationMedia.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" or event mood to indicate that this is ObservationMedia is from a past service.

Table X: Fixed ObservationMedia.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event (occurrence)
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ObservationMedia.id

An optional identifier for the ObservationMedia instance.

ObservationMedia.languageCode

Specifies the human language of character data (whether they be in contents or attribute values).

ObservationMedia.value

The ObservationMedia.value is set to the xsi:type="ED" which enables the referencing of the multi-media object. Review the ED data type for more information about linking to files.

5.3.6.5 Organizer

Organizer

A derivative of the RIM Act class, which can be used to create arbitrary groupings of other CDA entries that share a common context. An Organizer can contain other Organizers and/or other CDA entries, by traversing the component relationship. An Organizer can refer to external acts by traversing the reference relationship. An Organizer cannot be the source of an entryRelationship relationship.

NOTE: CDA entries such as Observation can also contain other CDA entries by traversing the entryRelationship class. There is no requirement that the Organizer entry be used in order to group CDA entries.
Table X: Organizer Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] V:x_ActClassDocumentEntryOrganizer Closed
moodCode CS [1..1] EVN Fixed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CD [1..1] D:ActCode Open
text ED [0..1]
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]
activityTime GTS [0..1]
availabilityTime TS [0..1]
priorityCode CE [0..1] D:ActPriority Open
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Confidentiality Open

Organizer.classCode

The Organizer.classCode can take on one of two values, BATTERY or CLUSTER.

  1. CLUSTER is an ACT that organizes a set of component acts into a semantic grouping that have a shared subject. The subject may be either a subject participation (SBJ), subject act relationship (SUBJ), or child participation/act relationship types.
  2. The BATTERY is an observation that is composed of a set of observations. These observations typically have a logical or practical grouping for generally accepted clinical or functional purposes, such as observations that are run together because of automation. A battery can define required and optional component observations and, in some cases, will define complex rules that determine whether or not a particular observation is made. BATTERY is a constraint on the Observation class in that it is understood to always be composed of component observations.
Table X: Value set for Organizer.classCode
V:x_ActClassDocumentEntryOrganizer [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19598] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
BATTERY battery CLUSTER Cluster
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Organizer.moodCode

The Organizer.moodCode is fixed to the "EVN" or event mood to indicate that the Organizer has been created with the contents specified.


Table X: Fixed Organizer.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event (occurrence)
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Organizer.id

An optional identifier for the Organizer instance.

Organizer.code

The particular kind of Organizer that the Organizer-instance represents within its class. Organizer.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the Organizer.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Organizer type (BATTERY or CLUSTER). The Organizer.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

Organizer.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the Organizer. The Organizer.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

Organizer.statusCode

The status reflects the state of the activity. The RIM based state machine diagram depicts the allowable state transitions that an Organizer.StatusCode can take on.

Table X: Value set for Organizer.statusCode
V:ActStatus [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.15933] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
normal normal aborted aborted
active active cancelled cancelled
completed completed held held
new new suspended suspended
nullified nullified obsolete obsolete
Code System: ActStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.14

Organizer.effectiveTime

The optional Organizer.effectiveTime is used to indicate the clinically or operationally relevant time of an Organizer's component items, exclusive of administrative activity. For example, in a Blood Gas Analysis (BGA), a result might not be available for several minutes after the specimen was taken. The effectiveTime is the time the specimen was taken, the availabilityTime would be the time the result was available for review.

Organizer.activityTime

The optional Organizer.activityTime is a time expression specifying when the activityTime of the Organizer's component items occurred, inclusive of administrative time E.g. times of component actions, such as preparation and clean-up. Depending on the mood code used, it represents the time the component Acts occurred, is supposed to occur, is scheduled to occur, etc.

Organizer.availabilityTime

The optional Observation.availabilityTime is the point in time at which information about the component Acts regardless of mood) first became available to a system. The availabilityTime is metadata describing the recording of, not the Organizer's component activities themselves.

Organizer.priorityCode

The optional priorityCode identifies the urgency under which the component Act's happened, can happen, is happening, is intended to happen, or is requested/demanded to happen. The Organizer.priorityCode is bound to the ActPriority concept domain.

Organizer.confidentialityCode

The optional confidentialityCode identifies any constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Organizer and it's component Acts, regardless of mood. The Organizer.confidentialityCode is bound to the Confidentiality concept domain.

5.3.6.6 Procedure

Procedure

A derivative of the RIM Procedure class, is represents an act whose immediate and primary outcome (post-condition) is the alteration of the physical condition of the subject.

Table X: Procedure Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] <= PROC is V:ActClassProcedure Closed
moodCode CS [1..1] V:x_DocumentProcedureMood Closed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CD [1..1] D:ActProcedureCode Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
negationInd (Deprecated) BL [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime IVL<TS> [0..1]
activityTime GTS [0..1]
availabilityTime TS [0..1]
priorityCode CE [0..1] D:ActPriority Open
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Confidentiality Open
uncertaintyCode CE [0..1] D:ActUncertainty Open
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed
isCriterionInd BL [0..1]
methodCode CE [0..*] D:ProcedureMethod Open
approachSiteCode CE [0..*] D:ActSite Open
targetSiteCode CE [0..*] D:ActSite Open

Procedure.classCode

The defines a specific sub-type of a given Procedure type. The Procedure.classCode is bound to the V:ActClassProcedure value set.

Table X: Value set for Procedure.classCode
V:ActClassProcedure [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19665] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
PROC (Default) procedure SBEXT Substance Extraction
SPECCOLLECT Specimen Collection
Note: Although SBADM is technically allowed, is best used with the SubstanceAdministration Entry Class
SBADM substance administration
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Procedure..moodCode

The intended use of the Procedure statement: as a procedure report, a command, a possibility, a goal, etc. Since the mood code is a determining factor for the meaning of an entire Procedure object, the mood must always be known. This means that whenever an Procedure is instantiated, the mood attribute SHALL be assigned to a valid code, and the mood assignment SHALL NOT change throughout the lifetime of the Procedure.

Table X: Value set for Procedure.moodCode
V:x_DocumentProcedureMood [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19460] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
APT appointment ARQ appointment request
EVN event DEF definition
RQO request INT intent
PRMS promise PRP proposal
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Procedure.id

A unique identifier for the Procedure.

Procedure.code

The particular kind of Procedure that the Procedure-instance represents within its class. Procedure.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the Procedure.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Procedure type (determined by the "classCode" attribute). The Procedure.code is bound to the ActProcedureCode concept domain.

Procedure.actionNegationInd

Procedure.actionNegationInd, when set to "true", indicates that the Procedure statement is a negation of the Procedure in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. For Procedure, actionNegationInd indicates that the procedure itself did not occur. For instance, a negated "appendectomy performed" means that the author positively denies that there was ever an appendectomy performed, and that he takes the same responsibility for such statement and the same requirement to have evidence for such statement than if he had not used negation. Some properties such as Procedure.id, Procedure.moodCode, and the participations are not affected.

Procedure.negationInd

Procedure.negationInd, is deprecated in RIM 2.35, and CDA R2.1 retains it for backwards compatibility. CDA R2.1 compliant implementation guides should use actionNegationInd moving forward.

Procedure.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the Procedure. The Procedure.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

Procedure.statusCode

The status reflects the state of the activity. The RIM based state machine diagram depicts the allowable state transitions that an Procedure.statusCode can take on.

Table X: Value set for Procedure.statusCode
V:ActStatus [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.15933] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
normal normal aborted aborted
active active cancelled cancelled
completed completed held held
new new suspended suspended
nullified nullified obsolete obsolete
Code System: ActStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.14


Procedure.effectiveTime

Procedure.effectiveTime is used to indicate the clinically or operationally relevant time of a procedure, exclusive of administrative activity. For a surgical procedure (operation), the effectiveTime is the time relevant for the patient, i.e., between incision and last suture. For transportation acts, the effective time is the time the transported payload is en route.

Procedure.activityTime

Procedure.activityTime is a time expression specifying when a procedure occurs, inclusive of administrative time E.g. times of component actions, such as preparation and clean-up. Depending on the mood code used, it represents the time the procedure occurred, is supposed to occur, is scheduled to occur, etc. For Procedures the activityTime can provide a needed administrative function by providing a more inclusive time to be anticipated in scheduling.

Procedure.availabilityTime

Procedure.availabilityTime is the point in time at which information about a procedure instance (regardless of mood) first became available to a system. The availabilityTime is metadata describing the recording of, not the procedure itself.

Procedure.priorityCode

The urgency under which the Act happened, can happen, is happening, is intended to happen, or is requested/demanded to happen. The Procedure.priorityCode is bound to the ActPriority concept domain.

Procedure.confidentialityCode

Constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Procedure, regardless of mood. The Procedure.confidentialityCode is bound to the Confidentiality concept domain.

Procedure.uncertaintyCode

An indication that the Procedure statement as a whole, with its subordinate components has been asserted to be uncertain in some way. The use of the uncertaintyCode is appropriate only if the entirety of the Procedure and its dependent Acts is questioned. The Procedure.uncertaintyCode is bound to the ActUncertainty concept domain.

Procedure.languageCode

The primary language in which this Procedure statement is specified, particularly the language of the Procedure.text. The Procedure.languageCode is bound to the HumanLanguage concept domain.

Procedure.isCriterionInd

Is defaulted to false, when set to true it indicates that the data conveyed by the act, including outbound associations, represent "criteria" for some other act, not a "real" act. I.e. If an Act exists with a classCode of ACT and a moodCode of RQO and isCriterionInd is true, it does not represent an order for an act. Rather, it represents a criteria that will match on all orders.

Procedure.methodCode

The means or technique used to ascertain the observation. In some procedures the method is already partially specified by the Procedure.code. In this case, the methodCode NEED NOT be used at all. The methodCode MAY still be used to identify this method more clearly in addition to what is implied from the Procedure.code. However, an information consumer system or process SHOULD NOT depend on this methodCode information for method detail that is implied by the Procedure.code.

Procedure.approachSiteCode

The anatomical site or system through which the procedure reaches its target.

Procedure.targetSiteCode

The anatomical site or system that is the focus of the procedure. Most procedure target sites are implied by the procedure definition and Procedure.code, or Procedure.value. If the subject of the procedure is something other than a human patient or animal, the attribute is used analogously to specify a structural landmark of the thing where the Procedure occurred.

5.3.6.7 RegionOfInterest

RegionOfInterest

A derivative of the RIM Observation class that represents a region of interest on an image, using an overlay shape. RegionOfInterest is used to make reference to specific regions in images, e.g., to specify the site of a physical finding by "circling" a region in a schematic picture of a human body. The relationship between a RegionOfInterest and its referenced ObservationMedia or ExternalObservation is specified by traversing the entryRelationship or reference class, respectively, where typeCode equals "SUBJ". A RegionOfInterest must reference exactly one ObservationMedia or one ExternalObservation. If the RegionOfInterest is the target of a <renderMultimedia> reference, then it shall only reference an ObservationMedia and not an ExternalObservation.

Table X: RegionOfInterest Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] ROIOVL Fixed
moodCode CS [1..1] EVN Fixed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CE [0..1] V:ROIOverlayShape Closed
value LIST<INT> [1..*]

NOTE: XML ID Attribute added

An XML attribute "ID" of type XML ID, is added to RegionOfInterest within the CDA Schema. This attribute serves as the target of a <renderMultiMedia> reference (see <renderMultiMedia>). All values of attributes of type XML ID must be unique within the document (per the W3C XML specification).

RegionOfInterest.classCode

The RegionOfInterest.classCode is fixed to "ROIOVL" which is a Region of Interest (ROI) specified for an image using an overlay shape. Typically used to make reference to specific regions in images, e.g., to specify the location of a radiologic finding in an image or to specify the site of a physical finding by "circling" a region in a schematic picture of a human body. The units of the coordinate values are in pixels. The origin is in the upper left hand corner, with positive X values going to the right and positive Y values going down. The relationship between a ROI and its referenced Act is specified through an ActRelationship of type "subject" (SUBJ), which must always be present.

Table X: Fixed RegionOfInterest.classCode
Code Display Name
ROIOVL overlay ROI
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

RegionOfInterest.moodCode

The RegionOfInterest.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" or event mood to indicate that this is region of interest, was created.

Table X: Fixed RegionOfInterest.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN (Fixed) event (occurrence)
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

RegionOfInterest.id

The optional RegionOfInterest.id allows for the unique identification of the region of interest.

RegionOfInterest.code

There are 4 types of regions that can be created, they are determined by the RegionOfInterest.code which can take on 1 of the following codes: circle, ellipse, point and polyline.

Table X: Value set for RegionOfInterest.code
V:ROIOverlayShape [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.16117] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
CIRCLE circle ELLIPSE ellipse
POINT point POLY polyline
Code System: ActCode (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.4

RegionOfInterest.value

The RegionOfInterest.value units are pixels, expressed as a list of integers. The origin is in the upper left hand corner, with positive X values going to the right and positive Y values going down.


EXAMPLE

The following example illustrates one sample use of RegionOfInterest. In this case, the clinician has identified a rash upon physical examination of the skin, and indicates this by creating a region of interest atop a hand image taken from an image library. The narrative block references the RegionOfInterest via the <renderMultiMedia> tag, and the referenced RegionOfInterest references the hand image.

Example X
<section>
   <code code="8709-8" codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.1" 
    codeSystemName="LOINC"/>
   <title>Skin Exam</title>
   <text>Erythematous rash, palmar surface, left index 
    finger.<renderMultiMedia referencedObject="MM2"/>
   </text>
   <entry>
      <observation classCode="OBS" moodCode="EVN">
         <code code="271807003" 
          codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96" 
          codeSystemName="SNOMED CT" 
          displayName="Rash"/>
         <statusCode code="completed"/>
         <targetSiteCode code="48856004" 
          codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96" 
          codeSystemName="SNOMED CT" 
          displayName="Skin of palmer surface of index finger">
            <qualifier>
               <name code="78615007" 
                codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96" 
                displayName="with laterality"/>
               <value code="7771000" 
                codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96" 
                displayName="left"/>
            </qualifier>
         </targetSiteCode>
         <entryRelationship typeCode="SPRT">
            <regionOfInterest classCode="ROIOVL" moodCode="EVN" ID="MM2">
               <id root="2.16.840.1.113883.19.3.1"/>
               <code code="ELLIPSE"/>
               <value value="3"/>
               <value value="1"/>
               <value value="3"/>
               <value value="7"/>
               <value value="2"/>
               <value value="4"/>
               <value value="4"/>
               <value value="4"/>
               <entryRelationship typeCode="SUBJ">
                  <observationMedia classCode="OBS" moodCode="EVN">
                     <id root="2.16.840.1.113883.19.2.1"/>
                     <value mediaType="image/jpeg">
                        <reference value="lefthand.jpeg"/>
                     </value>
                  </observationMedia>
               </entryRelationship>
            </regionOfInterest>
         </entryRelationship>
      </observation>
   </entry>
</section>

5.3.6.8 SubstanceAdministration

SubstanceAdministration

A derivative of the RIM SubstanceAdministration class, used for representing medication-related events such as medication history or planned medication administration orders.

Table X: SubstanceAdministration Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] SBADM Fixed
moodCode CS [1..1] V:x_DocumentSubstanceMood Closed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CD [1..1] D:ActSubstanceAdministrationCode Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
negationInd (Deprecated) BL [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime GTS [0..1]
activityTime GTS [0..1]
availabilityTime TS [0..1]
priorityCode CE [0..1] D:ActPriority Open
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Confidentiality Open
repeatNumber IVL<INT> [0..1]
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed
isCriterionInd BL [0..1]
approachSiteCode CE [0..1] D:RouteOfAdministration Open
routeSiteCode SET<CD> [0..*] D:ActSite Open
doseQuantity IVL<PQ> [0..*]
rateQuantity IVL<PQ> [0..*]
doseCheckQuantity SET<RTO<PQ,PQ.TIME>> [0..*]
maxDoseQuantity SET<RTO<PQ,PQ.TIME>> [0..*]
administrationUnitCode CE [0..1] D:AdministrableDrugForm Open

SubstanceAdministration.classCode

The SubstanceAdministration.classCode is fixed to "SBADM" which indicates an act of introducing or otherwise applying a substance to the subject.

Table X: Fixed SubstanceAdministration.classCode
Code Display Name
SBADM substance administration
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

SubstanceAdministration.moodCode

SubstanceAdministration.moodCode has been bound to the x_DocumentSubstanceMood value set.

Table X: Fixed SubstanceAdministration.moodCode
V:x_DocumentSubstanceMood [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19461] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
EVN event DEF definition
RQO request INT intent
PRMS promise PRP proposal
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

SubstanceAdministration.id

The optional SubstanceAdministration.id can be used to uniquely identify the substance administration.

SubstanceAdministration.code

The SubstanceAdministration.code has been bound to the ActSubstanceAdministrationCode concept domain.

SubstanceAdministration.actionNegationInd

SubstanceAdministration.actionNegationInd, when set to "true", indicates that the SubstanceAdministration statement is a negation of the SubstanceAdministration in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. Some properties such as SubstanceAdministration.id, SubstanceAdministration.moodCode, and the participations are not affected. These properties always have the same meaning: i.e., the author remains the author of the action negation SubstanceAdministration. A substance administration statement with negationInd is still a statement about the specific fact described by the SubstanceAdministration. For instance, a negated "aspirin administration" means that the author asserts that aspirin has not been administered, and that he takes the same responsibility for such statement and the same requirement to have evidence for such statement than if he had not used action negation.

SubstanceAdministration.negationInd

SubstanceAdministration.negationInd, is deprecated in RIM 2.35, and CDA R2.1 retains it for backwards compatibility. CDA R2.1 compliant implementation guides should use actionNegationInd moving forward.


SubstanceAdministration.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the SubstanceAdministration. The SubstanceAdministration.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

SubstanceAdministration.statusCode

The status reflects the state of the activity. The RIM based state machine diagram depicts the allowable state transitions that an SubstanceAdministration.StatusCode can take on.

Table X: Value set for SubstanceAdministration.statusCode
V:ActStatus [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.15933] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
normal normal aborted aborted
active active cancelled cancelled
completed completed held held
new new suspended suspended
nullified nullified obsolete obsolete
Code System: ActStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.14

SubstanceAdministration.effectiveTime

SubstanceAdministration.effectiveTime is the clinically relevant time of an substance administration act, exclusive of administrative activity. It is used to indicate the time over which the substance is to be administered, including the frequency of administration (e.g., TID for 10 days). SubstanceAdministration.effectiveTime is used to describe the timing of administration. It is modeled using the GTS data type to accommodate various dosing scenarios, as illustrated in the following example.

SubstanceAdministration.activityTime

SubstanceAdministration.activityTime is a time expression specifying when the substance administration activity occurs, inclusive of administrative time E.g. times of component actions, such as preparation and clean-up. The substance administration activityTime can provide a needed administrative function, by providing a more inclusive time to be anticipated in scheduling.

SubstanceAdministration.availabilityTime

SubstanceAdministration.availabilityTime is the point in time at which information about a substance administration instance (regardless of mood) first became available to a system. The availabilityTime is metadata describing the recording of, not the substance administration itself.

SubstanceAdministration.priorityCode

The urgency under which the SubstanceAdministration happened, can happen, is happening, is intended to happen, or is requested/demanded to happen. The SubstanceAdministration.priorityCode is bound to the ActPriority concept domain.

SubstanceAdministration.confidentialityCode

Constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this SubstanceAdministration, regardless of mood. The SubstanceAdministration.confidentialityCode is bound to the Confidentiality concept domain.


SubstanceAdministration.repeatNumber

An interval of integer numbers stating the minimal and maximal number of repetitions of the SubstanceAdministration.

SubstanceAdministration.languageCode

The primary language in which this SubstanceAdministrationstatement is specified, particularly the language of the SubstanceAdministration.text. The SubstanceAdministration.languageCode is bound to the HumanLanguage concept domain.

SubstanceAdministration.isCriterionInd

Is defaulted to false, when set to true it indicates that the data conveyed by the act, including outbound associations, represent "criteria" for some other act, not a "real" act. I.e. If an Act exists with a classCode of ACT and a moodCode of RQO and isCriterionInd is true, it does not represent an order for an act. Rather, it represents a criteria that will match on all orders.

SubstanceAdministration.approachSiteCode

The anatomical site or system through which the procedure reaches its target.

SubstanceAdministration.routeCode

The physiological path or route for introducing the therapeutic material into or onto the subject. Route, site of administration (administrationSiteCode), method of administration (methodCode) and the device used in administration are closely related. All four (if present) must be closely coordinated and in agreement. In some cases, the coding system used to specify one may pre-coordinate one or more of the others.

SubstanceAdministration.doseQuantity

SubstanceAdministration.doseQuantity indicates how much medication is given per dose.

SubstanceAdministration.rateQuantity

SubstanceAdministration.rateQuantity can be used to indicate the rate at which the dose is to be administered (e.g., the flow rate for intravenous infusions).

SubstanceAdministration.doseCheckQuantity

The ratio of a quantity to be consumed over the period of time during which it expected to be consumed.

SubstanceAdministration.maxDoseQuantity

SubstanceAdministration.maxDoseQuantity is used to capture the maximum dose of the medication that can be given over a stated time interval (e.g., maximum daily dose of morphine, maximum lifetime dose of doxorubicin).

SubstanceAdministration.administrationUnitCode

A unit for the administered substance.

  1. This attribute SHOULD be used if and only if the material specified as the player of the Role attaching to the consumable participation is not in itself the finished dose form to be administered but a larger whole, pack, etc.
  2. If the material so specified is the proper administered dose form, such as a tablet, capsule, etc. then this attribute SHOULD be valued NULL (not applicable).
  3. If the material so specified is an amorphous substance (liquid, gas, powder, etc.) to be measured as a volume, mass, etc., then this attribute SHOULD remain NULL (not applicable).
  4. If the material so specified is a container, and the content is to be measured as a volume, mass, etc., then this attribute SHOULD be specified as "measured portion".


Example X
<section>
   <text>Take captopril 25mg PO every 12 hours, starting on 
    Jan 01, 2002, ending on Feb 01, 2002.
   </text>
   <entry>
      <substanceAdministration classCode="SBADM" moodCode="RQO">
         <effectiveTime xsi:type="IVL_TS">
            <low value="20020101"/>
            <high value="20020201"/>
         </effectiveTime>
         <effectiveTime xsi:type="PIVL_TS" operator="A">
            <period value="12" unit="h"/>
         </effectiveTime>
         <routeCode code="PO" 
          codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.5.112" 
          codeSystemName="RouteOfAdministration"/>
         <doseQuantity value="1"/>
         <consumable>
            <manufacturedProduct>
               <manufacturedLabeledDrug>
                  <code code="318821008" 
                   codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96" 
                   codeSystemName="SNOMED CT" 
                   displayName="Captopril 25mg tablet"/>
               </manufacturedLabeledDrug>
            </manufacturedProduct>
         </consumable>
      </substanceAdministration>
   </entry>
</section>

5.3.6.8.1 consumable

The capture of medication-related information also involves the interrelationship of SubstanceAdministration with several other classes.

Table X: consumable
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] CSM consumable
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed

consumable.typeCode

The consumable.typeCode is fixed to "CSM" to represent a consumable participation.

Table X: Fixed consumable.typeCode
Code Display Name
CSM consumable
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

consumable.contextControlCode

The consumable.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". It means that the consumable identified will replace the set of consumables that have propagated from ancestor Acts, and will itself be the only consumable to propagate to any child Acts that allow context to be propagated.

5.3.6.8.2 ManufacturedProduct

The consumable participation is used to bring in the LabeledDrug or Material entity that describes the administered substance via the ManufacturedProduct role class.

ManufacturedProduct.classCode

The ManufacturedProduct.typeCode is fixed to "MANU" to represent the role of manufactured. The playing role is what was manufactured and the scoping role identifies the manufacturer.

Table X: Fixed ManufacturedProduct.classCode
Code Display Name
MANU manufactured
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

ManufacturedProduct.id

An optional unique identifier assigned by the manufacturer.

5.3.6.8.3 LabeledDrug

The LabeledDrug class, which is an Entity class playing the Role of Manufactured Product, identifies the drug that is consumed in the substance administration. The medication is identified by means of the LabeledDrug.code or the LabeledDrug.name.

LabeledDrug.classCode

The LabeledDrug.classCode is fixed to "MMAT" which indicates the substance administered was manufactured.

Table X: Fixed LabeledDrug.classCode
Code Display Name
MMAT A manufactured material.
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

LabeledDrug.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates that the LabeledDrug referenced, is a specific instance of a LabeledDrug.

Table X: Fixed LabeledDrug.determinerCode
Code Display Name
KIND described
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

LabeledDrug.code

The LabeledDrug.code is bound to the DrugEntity concept domain, which identifies a substance whose therapeutic effect is produced by chemical action within the body.

LabeledDrug.name'

An optional non-unique textual identifier or moniker for the LabeledDrug.

5.3.6.8.4 Material

The Material entity is used to identify non-drug administered substances such as vaccines and blood products.

Material.classCode

The Material.classCode is fixed to "MMAT" which indicates the material administered was manufactured.

Table X: Fixed Material.classCode
Code Display Name
MMAT A manufactured material.
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

Material.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates that the Material referenced, is a specific instance of a Material.

Table X: Fixed Material.determinerCode
Code Display Name
KIND described
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

Material.code

The Material.code is bound to the MaterialEntityClassType concept domain, which identifies types of materials.

Material.name

An optional non-unique textual identifier or moniker for the Material.

Material.desc

A textual or multimedia depiction of the Material.

Material.formCode

The physical state and nature of the material.

Material.lotNumberText

An identifier for a particular batch of manufactured material.

5.3.6.9 Supply

Supply

The Supply class represents dispensing, whereas the SubstanceAdministration class represents administration. Prescriptions are complex activities that involve both an administration request to the patient (e.g. take digoxin 0.125mg by mouth once per day) and a supply request to the pharmacy (e.g. dispense 30 tablets, with 5 refills). This should be represented in CDA by a SubstanceAdministration entry that has a component Supply entry. The nested Supply entry can have Supply.independentInd set to "false" to signal that the Supply cannot stand alone, without it's containing SubstanceAdministration. The following example illustrates a prescription representation in CDA.

Table X: Supply Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] SPLY Fixed
moodCode CS [1..1] V:x_DocumentSubstanceMood Closed
id SET <II> [0..*]
code CD [1..1] D:ActSupplyType Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
statusCode CS [0..1] V:ActStatus Closed
effectiveTime GTS [0..1]
activityTime GTS [0..1]
availabilityTime TS [0..1]
priorityCode CE [0..1] D:ActPriority Open
confidentialityCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:Confidentiality Open
repeatNumber IVL<INT> [0..1]
independentInd BL [0..1]
languageCode CE [0..1] D:HumanLanguage Closed
isCriterionInd BL [0..1]
quantity PQ [0..1]
expectedUseTime IVL<TS> [0..1]

Supply.classCode

The Supply.classCode is fixed to "SPLY" which is used to represent a Supply. Supply orders and deliveries are simple Acts that focus on the delivered product. The product is associated with the Supply Act via Participation.typeCode="product". With general Supply Acts, the precise identification of the Material (manufacturer, serial numbers, etc.) is important. Most of the detailed information about the Supply should be represented using the Material class.

Table X: Fixed Supply.classCode
Code Display Name
SPLY supply
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Supply.moodCode

The Supply.moodCode is bound to the x_ClinicalStatementSubstanceMood value set.

Table X: Value set for Supply.moodCode
V:x_ClinicalStatementSubstanceMood [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.19645] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
EVN event DEF definition
RQO request INT intent
PRMS promise PRP proposal
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Supply.id

The optional Supply.id is used to uniquely identify the supply activity.

Supply.code

The optional Supply.code is bound to the ActSupplyType concept domain, which is used to further define the type of supply for order or distribution. Examples:

  • central supply
  • materials management
  • nurse station supply

Supply.actionNegationInd

Supply.actionNegationInd, indicates that the Supply statement is a negation of the Supply in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. For Supply, actionNegationInd indicates that the Supply activity itself did not occur. I.e. no Supply was given out. Some properties such as Supply.id, Supply.moodCode, and the participations are not affected. These properties always have the same meaning: i.e., the author remains the author of the negative Supply activity.

Supply.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the Supply activity.

Supply.statusCode

The status reflects the state of the activity. The RIM based state machine diagram depicts the allowable state transitions that an Supply.StatusCodes can take on.

Table X: Value set for Supply.statusCode
V:ActStatus [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.15933] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
normal normal aborted aborted
active active cancelled cancelled
completed completed held held
new new suspended suspended
nullified nullified obsolete obsolete
Code System: ActStatus (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.14

Supply.effectiveTime

Supply.effectiveTime is used to indicate the clinically or operationally relevant time of a procedure, exclusive of administrative activity.

Supply.activityTime

Supply.activityTime is a time expression specifying when an act occurs, inclusive of administrative time E.g. times of component actions, such as preparation and clean-up. Depending on the mood code used, it represents the time the Supply activity occurred, is supposed to occur, is scheduled to occur, etc.

Supply.availabilityTime

Supply.availabilityTime is the point in time at which information about an Supply instance (regardless of mood) first became available to a system. The availabilityTime is metadata describing the recording of, not the Supply itself.

Supply.priorityCode

The urgency under which the Supply activity happened, can happen, is happening, is intended to happen, or is requested/demanded to happen. The Supply.priorityCode is bound to the ActPriority concept domain.

Supply.confidentialityCode

Constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Supply activity, regardless of mood. The Supply.confidentialityCode is bound to the Confidentiality concept domain.

Supply.repeatNumber

An interval of integer numbers stating the minimal and maximal number of repetitions of the Supply activity.

Supply.independentInd

An indicator specifying whether the Act can be manipulated independently of other Acts or only through a super-ordinate composite Act that has this Act as a component. By default the independentInd should be true. An Act definition is sometimes marked with independentInd=false if the business rules would not allow this act to be ordered without ordering the containing act group.

Supply.languageCode

The primary language in which this Supply statement is specified, particularly the language of the Supply.text. The Supply.languageCode is bound to the HumanLanguage concept domain.


Supply.isCriterionInd

Is defaulted to false, when set to true it indicates that the data conveyed by the act, including outbound associations, represent "criteria" for some other act, not a "real" act. I.e. If an Act exists with a classCode of ACT and a moodCode of RQO and isCriterionInd is true, it does not represent an order for an act. Rather, it represents a criteria that will match on all orders.

Supply.quantity

The optional Supply.quantity is used to represent the amount of material that was or is to be supplied.

Supply.expectedUseTime

Th optional Supply.expectedUseTime is used to identify the period time over which the supplied product is expected to be used.

5.3.6.9.1 Product

The dispensed product is associated with the Supply act via a product participant, which connects to the same ManufacturedProduct role used for SubstanceAdministration.

Product.typeCode

The Product.typeCode is fixed to "PRD" which represents a product participation.

Table X: Fixed product.typeCode
Code Display Name
PRD product
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90
5.3.6.9.2 ManufacturedProduct

See ManufacturedProduct above.


Example X
<section>
   <text>Digoxin 0.125mg, 1 PO qDay, #30, 5 refills.</text>
   <entry>
      <substanceAdministration classCode="SBADM" moodCode="RQO">
         <effectiveTime xsi:type="PIVL_TS">
            <period value="24" unit="h"/>
         </effectiveTime>
         <routeCode code="PO" 
          codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.5.112" 
          codeSystemName="RouteOfAdministration"/>
         <doseQuantity value="1"/>
         <consumable>
            <manufacturedProduct>
               <manufacturedLabeledDrug>
                  <code code="317896006" 
                   codeSystem="2.16.840.1.113883.6.96" 
                   codeSystemName="SNOMED CT" 
                   displayName="Digoxin 125micrograms tablet"/>
               </manufacturedLabeledDrug>
            </manufacturedProduct>
         </consumable>
         <entryRelationship typeCode="COMP">
            <supply classCode="SPLY" moodCode="RQO">
               <repeatNumber>
                  <low value="0"/>
                  <high value="5"/>
               </repeatNumber>
               <independentInd value="false"/>
               <quantity value="30"/>
            </supply>
         </entryRelationship>
      </substanceAdministration>
   </entry>
</section>

5.3.7 Entry Participants

CDA structures and entries can have various participants, some of which are also defined in the CDA header. As described in the discussion of CDA context (see CDA Context), participants propagated from the header can be overridden within the body.

5.3.7.1 author

The author participant (described above, see author), can be ascribed to a CDA section where it overrides the value(s) propagated from the CDA header, or can be ascribed to a CDA entry, where it overrides the value(s) propagated from a CDA section and propagates to nested entries.

5.3.7.2 consumable

The consumable participant is described above (see Entry Acts).

5.3.7.3 informant

The informant participant (described above, see informant), can be ascribed to a CDA section where it overrides the value(s) propagated from the CDA header, or can be ascribed to a CDA entry, where it overrides the value(s) propagated from a CDA section and propagates to nested entries.

5.3.7.4 participant

Can be used to represent any other participant that cannot be represented with one of the more specific participants. The participant can be ascribed to a CDA entry, and propagates to nested CDA entries, unless overridden.

Table X: informant
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] INF Fixed
contextControlCode CS [0..1] OP Fixed
time IVL<TS> [0..1]
awarenessCode CE [0..1] D:TargetAwareness Open

participant.typeCode

The participant.typeCode is bound to the v:ParticipationType value set. This enables a wide range of participation types to be selected. Note: Where an existing participation exists, it should be used in preference to the generic participation, failure to do so, will result in needlessly additional complexity for implementations.

Table X: Value set for participant.typeCode
v:ParticipationType [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.10901] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
PART Participation ADM admitter
ATND attender ADM admitter
CALLBCK callback contact CON consultant
DIS discharger ESC escort
REF referrer TRANS Transcriber
ENT data entry person WIT witness
CST custodian DIR direct target
BBY baby DEV device
NRD non-reuseable device RDV reusable device
EXPAGNT ExposureAgent EXPART ExposureParticipation
EXPTRGT ExposureTarget EXSRC ExposureSource
IND indirect target BEN beneficiary
CAGNT causative agent COV coverage target
GUAR guarantor party HLD holder
DON donor RCV receiver
IRCP information recipient NOT ugent notification contact
PRCP primary information recipient REFB Referred By
REFT Referred to TRC tracker
LOC location DST destination
ELOC entry location ORG origin
RML remote VIA via
RESP responsible party VRF verifier
AUTHEN authenticator
Use the following participations, only if the other participations provided in CDA will not work
RCT record target AUT author (originator)
INF informant CSM consumable
PRD product SBJ subject
SPC specimen PRF performer
DIST distributor PPRF primary performer
SPRF secondary performer LA legal authenticator
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

participant.contextControlCode

The participant.contextControlCode is fixed to "OP". Any participant(s) defined in a clinical entry, will override the participants with the same typeCode propagating from ancestor elements, in the header, body or sections.

Table X: Fixed participant.contextControlCode
Code Display Name
OP overriding, propagating
Code System: ContextControl (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1057

participant.time

The time during which the participant is involved in the act through this Participation.

participant.awarenessCode

The extent to which the Entity playing the participating Role is aware of the associated Act. For diagnostic observations, the patient, family member or other participant may not be aware of the patient's terminal illness. Because this attribute typically indicates that awareness is in question, it normally describes a target Participation (e.g., that of a patient). If the awareness, denial, unconsciousness, etc. is the subject of medical considerations (e.g., part of the problem list), explicit observations should be employed: this simple attribute in the Participation cannot represent information sufficient to support medical decision-making.

5.3.7.4.1 ParticipantRole

A participant is an entity playing one of several possible roles (ParticipantRole class). The entity playing the role is a device (Device class) or other entity (PlayingEntity class).

Table X: ParticipantRole
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [1..1] V:RoleClassRoot Fixed
id SET<II> [0..*]
code CE [0..1] D:RoleCode Open
addr SET<AD> [0..*]
telecom SET<TEL> [0..*]

ParticipantRole.classCode

The ParticipantRole.classCode can be any role defined in the V:RoleClassRoot value set, not already provided for the Clinical Statement choice pattern.

Table X: Value set for ParticipantRole.classCode
V:RoleClassRoot [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13940] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ROL (Default) role AFFL affiliate
AGNT agent ASSIGNED assigned entity
COMPAR commissioning party SGNOFF signing authority or officer
CON contact ECON emergency contact
NOK next of kin GUARD guardian
CIT citizen COVPTY covered party
CLAIM claimant NAMED named insured
DEPEN dependent INDIV individual
SUBSCR subscriber PROG program eligible
CRINV clinical research investigator CRSPNSR clinical research sponsor
EMP employee MIL military person
GUAR guarantor INVSBJ Investigation Subject
CASEBJ Case Subject RESBJ research subject
LIC licensed entity NOT notary public
PROV healthcare provider PAT patient
PAYEE payee PAYOR invoice payor
POLHOLD policy holder QUAL qualified entity
SPNSR underwriter STD student
UNDWRT coverage sponsor CAREGIVER caregiver
PRS personal relationship ACCESS access
ADMM Administerable Material BIRTHPL birthplace
DEATHPLC place of death DST distributed material
RET retailed material EXPR exposed entity
HLD held entity HLTHCHRT health chart
IDENT identified entity MANU manufactured product
THER therapeutic agent MNT maintained entity
OWN owned entity RGPR regulated product
SDLOC service delivery location DSDLOC dedicated service delivery location, health care facility
ISDLOC incidental service delivery location TERR territory of authority
USED used entity WRTE warranted product
EQUIV equivalent entity SAME same
SUBY subsumed by GEN has generalization
GRIC has generic INST instance
SUBS subsumer CONT content
EXPAGTCAR exposure agent carrier EXPVECTOR exposure vector
FOMITE fomite INGR ingredient
ACTI active ingredient ACTIB active ingredient - basis of strength
ACTIM active ingredient - moiety is basis of strength ACTIR active ingredient - reference substance is basis of strength
ADTV additive BASE base
IACT inactive ingredient COLR color additive, color
FLVR flavor additive, flavor PRSV preservative
STBL stabilizer LOCE located entity
STOR stored entity MBR member
PART part ACTM active moiety
SPEC specimen ALQT aliquot
ISLT isolate
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

ParticipantRole.id

The optional participantRole.id is a unique identifier for the player Entity in this Role.

ParticipantRole.code

The optional ParticipantRole.code is bound the the EntityCode concept domain.

ParticipantRole.addr

The optional ParticipantRole.addr is the postal address for the Entity while in the Role.

ParticipantRole.telecom

The optional ParticipantRole.telecom is the telecommunication address (phone number) for the Entity while in the Role.

5.3.7.4.2 Device

Scoping the ParticipantRole is an entity (Entity class).

Table X: Device
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DEV Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
code CE [0..1] D:EntityCode
manufacturerModelName SC [0..1] D:ManufacturerModelName
softwareName SC [0..1] D:SoftwareName

Device.classCode

The Device.classCode is defaulted to "DEV", but can take on any value defined in the EntityClassDevice value set.

Table X: Value set for Device.classCode
V:EntityClassDevice [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11623] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
DEV (Default) role CER certificate representation
MODDV imaging modality, ImagingModalityEntity
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

Device.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates we are referencing a specific device.

Table X: Fixed Device.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

Device.code

The optional Device.code is bound to the EntityCode domain.

Device.manufacturerModelName

The optional Device.manufacturerModelName is used to convey a coded name for the device.

Device.softwareName

The optional Device.softwareName is used to convey a coded name for the software used to author content.

5.3.7.4.3 PlayingEntity
Table X: PlayingEntity
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] DEV Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
code CE [0..1] D:EntityCode
quantity PQ [0..1]
name SET<PN> [0..1]
desc ED [0..1]

PlayingEntity.classCode

The PlayingEntity.classCode is bound to the V:EntityClassRoot value set.

Table X: Value set for PlayingEntity.classCode
V:EntityClassRoot [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13922] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ENT (Default) entity HCE health chart entity
LIV living subject NLIV non-person living subject
ANM animal MIC microorganism
PLNT plant PSN person
MAT material CHEM chemical substance
FOOD food MMAT manufactured material
CONT container HOLD holder
DEV device CER certificate representation
MODDV imaging modality, ImagingModalityEntity ORG organization
PUB public institution STATE state
NAT Nation PLC place
CITY city or town COUNTRY country
COUNTY county or parish PROVINCE state or province
RGRP group
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

PlayingEntity.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates we are referencing a specific entity.

Table X: Fixed PlayingEntity.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

PlayingEntity.code

The optional PlayingEntity.code is bound to the EntityCode domain. For each Entity, the value for this attribute is drawn from one of several coding systems as suggested by the Entity.classCode, such as living subject (animal and plant taxonomies), chemical substance (e.g., IUPAC code), organization (e.g., CMS provider number), etc. It is possible that Entity.code may be so fine grained that it represents a single instance. An example is the CDC vaccine manufacturer code, modeled as a concept vocabulary, when in fact each concept refers to a single instance. The boundary cases distinguishing codes and identifiers are controversial: this specification allows a certain amount of flexibility.

PlayingEntity.quantity

The optional PlayingEntity.quantity defines the a physical quantity specifying the amount of the physical thing represented by the Entity object, either as a count of the members of a group, or as some other physical quantity. In order to explicitly identify a group of like entities, a static model design should constrain the PQ data type of this attribute to INT, thus providing a count of the entities in the group.

PlayingEntity.name

Most entities have a commonly used name that can be used to differentiate them from other Entities, but that does not provide a necessarily unique identifier.

PlayingEntity.desc

A textual or multimedia depiction of the Entity.

5.3.7.4.4 Entity

A physical thing, group of physical things or an organization capable of participating in Acts while in a role.

Table X: Entity
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] [http://cda/infrastructure/vocabulary/EntityClass.htm#ENT ENT Fixed
determinerCode CS [0..1] INSTANCE Fixed
id SET<II> [0..*]
code CE [0..1] D:EntityCode
desc ED [0..1]

Entity.classCode

The Entity.classCode is bound to the V:EntityClassRoot value set.

Table X: Value set for Entity.classCode
V:EntityClassRoot [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13922] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ENT (Default) entity HCE health chart entity
LIV living subject NLIV non-person living subject
ANM animal MIC microorganism
PLNT plant PSN person
MAT material CHEM chemical substance
FOOD food MMAT manufactured material
CONT container HOLD holder
DEV device CER certificate representation
MODDV imaging modality, ImagingModalityEntity ORG organization
PUB public institution STATE state
NAT Nation PLC place
CITY city or town COUNTRY country
COUNTY county or parish PROVINCE state or province
RGRP group
Code System: EntityClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.41

Entity.determinerCode

The determinerCode is fixed to "INSTANCE", which indicates we are referencing a specific entity.

Table X: Fixed Entity.determinerCode
Code Display Name
INSTANCE specific
Code System: EntityDeterminer (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.30

Entity.id

The optional Entity.id is used to uniquely identify the Entity.

Entity.code

The optional Entity.code is bound to the EntityCode domain.

Entity.desc

The optional Entity.desc is a textual or multimedia depiction of the Entity.

5.3.7.5 performer

performer

The performer is a person who carries out or will carry out a particular act. The performer need not be the principal responsible participant, e.g. a surgery resident operating under supervision of attending surgeon is a performer.

Table X: performer
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] PRF Fixed
time IVL<TS> [0..1]
modeCode CE [0..1] D:ParticipationMode Fixed

performer.typeCode

The performer.typeCode is fixed to "PRF" which indicates a person, or organization that actually and principally carries out the action. Need not be the principal responsible actor.

Table X: Fixed performer.typeCode
Code Display Name
PRF performer
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90

performer.time

An optional interval of time which indicating the performer's participation in the associated Act.

performer.modeCode

The modality by which the Entity playing the Role is participating in the Act.

5.3.7.5.1 AssignedEntity

A performer is an entity in the role of assigned entity (AssignedEntity class).

5.3.7.5.2 Person

An assigned entity is a person assigned to the role by the scoping organization. The entity playing the role is a Person class.

5.3.7.5.3 Organization

The entity scoping the role is an organization (Organization class).

5.3.7.6 product

The product participant is described above (see Entry Acts).

5.3.7.7 specimen

specimen

A specimen is a part of some entity, typically the subject, that is the target of focused laboratory, radiology or other observations. In many clinical observations, such as physical examination of a patient, the patient is the subject of the observation, and there is no specimen. The specimen participant is only used when observations are made against some substance or object that is taken or derived from the subject.

Table X: informant
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] SPC Fixed

specimen.typeCode

The specimen.typeCode is fixed to "SPC" to indicate the subject of non-clinical (e.g. laboratory) observation services is a specimen.

Table X: Fixed specimen.typeCode
Code Display Name
SPC specimen
Code System: ParticipationType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.90
5.3.7.7.1 SpecimenRole

A role played by a material entity that is a specimen for an act.

Table X: AssignedAuthor
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] SPEC Fixed
id SET<II> [0..*]

SpecimenRole.classCode

The SpecimenRole.classCode is fixed to "SPEC".

Table X: Fixed SpecimenRole.classCode
Code Display Name
SPEC specimen
Code System: RoleClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.110

SpecimenRole.id

An optional SpecimenRole.id can be used to uniquely identify the specimen.

5.3.7.7.2 PlayingEntity

A specimen is an PlayingEntity in the role of SpecimenRole (PlayingEntity class).

5.3.7.8 subject

The subject participant (described above, see subject), can be ascribed to a CDA section, or it can be ascribed to a CDA entry, where it overrides the value(s) propagated from a CDA section and propagates to nested entries.

5.3.8 Entry Relationships

5.3.8.1 component

The component relationship has a source of Organizer (see Organizer, and a target that is another CDA entry, and is used to create groupings of CDA entries within an Organizer.

Table X: documentationOf Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] COMP Fixed
contextConductionInd BL [0..1]
sequenceNumber INT [0..1]
seperatableInd BL [0..1]

component.typeCode

The component.typeCode is fixed to "COMP", which indicates that the associated Clinical Statement choice is a component part of the Organizer.

Table X: Fixed component.typeCode
Code Display Name
COMP (FIXED) has component
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002

component.contextConductionInd

The component.contextConductionInd indicator is fixed to "true". Ancestor elements () which propagate, will conduct through this component class to the associated child element.

component.sequenceNumber

The optional component.sequenceNumber is an integer specifying the relative sequential ordering of this relationship among other like-types relationships having the same source Act.

component.seperatableInd

The optional component.seperatableInd is an indication that the source Act is intended to be interpreted independently of the target Act. The default value is true.

5.3.8.2 precondition

The precondition class, derived from the ActRelationship class, is used along with the Criterion class to express a condition that must hold true before some over activity occurs.

Table X: precondition Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] PRCN Fixed

precondition.typeCode

The precondition.typeCode is fixed to PRCN which indicates a requirement to be true before a service is performed. The target can be any service in criterion mood. For multiple pre-conditions a conjunction attribute (AND, OR, XOR) is applicable.

Table X: Fixed precondition.typeCode
Code Display Name
PRCN has pre-condition
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002
5.3.8.2.1 Criterion

Criterion class is used to express a condition that must hold true before some over activity occurs.

Table X: Criterion Attributes
RIM Attribute(s) Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] <= OBS is V:ActClassObservation Closed w/ Default
moodCode CS [0..1] ENV.CRT Fixed
code CD [1..1] D:ActCode Open
actonNegationInd BL [0..1]
text ED [0..1]
isCriterionInd BL [0..1]
value SET<ANY> [0..*] D:ObservationValue Open
valueNegationInd BL [0..1]
interpretationCode SET<CE> [0..*] D:ObservationInterpretation Open

Criterion.classCode

The Criterion.classCode is defaulted to "OBS" which represents an observation, but can take only any value defined in the ActClassObservation value set.

Table X: Value set for Criterion.classCode
V:ActClassObservation [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11529] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
OBS (Default) Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

Criterion.moodCode

The Criterion.moodCode is fixed to "EVN.CRT" which indicates a criterion or condition over service events that must apply for an associated service to be considered.

Table X: Fixed Criterion.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN.CRT event criterion
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

Criterion.code

The particular kind of Criterion that the Criterion-instance represents. Criterion.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the Criterion.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Criterion type. It allows the use of rich terminologies such as LOINC and SNOMED to represent sub-types of the Criterion. The Criterion.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

Criterion.actionNegationInd

Criterion.actionNegationInd, indicates that the Criterion statement is a negation of the Criterion in Event mood as described by the descriptive attributes. For Criterion, actionNegationInd indicates that the Criterion itself did not occur. I.e. no act took place. Some properties such as Criterion.id and Criterion.moodCode are not affected. These properties always have the same meaning.

Criterion.text

A renderable textual or multimedia description (or reference to a description) of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the Criterion. The Criterion.text attribute can reference the associated narrative content in the section using the XML ID attribute added to the Narrative Text elements.

Criterion.isCriterionInd

Is defaulted to false, when set to true it indicates that the data conveyed by the act, including outbound associations, represent "criteria" for some other act, not a "real" act. I.e. If an Act exists with a classCode of ACT and a moodCode of RQO and isCriterionInd is true, it does not represent an order for an act. Rather, it represents a criteria that will match on all orders.


Criterion.value

The result of the observation action. Extensive usage notes are available in the RIM, reference Value UsageNotes

Criterion.valueNegationInd

Criterion.valueNegationInd, indicates that the Criterion, as defined in in this Criterion class is NOT true. Note: This attribute should only be used when the terminology used for Criterion.value is not itself capable of expressing negated findings. (E.g. ICD9).

Criterion.interpretationCode

A qualitative interpretation of the Criterion. These interpretation codes are sometimes called "abnormal flags," however, the judgment of normalcy is just one of the interpretations, and is often not relevant. For example, the susceptibility interpretations are not about "normalcy," and for any observation of a pathologic condition, it does not make sense to state the normalcy, since pathologic conditions are never considered "normal."

5.3.8.3 referenceRange

The referenceRange relationship (described above, see Observation), has a source of Observation, and a target of ObservationRange.

5.3.8.4 entryRelationship

entryRelationship

CDA has identified and modeled various link and reference scenarios. These scenarios enable CDA entries to be semantically linked to entries that exist within the same document (by traversing the entryRelationship class) or to objects external to it (by traversing the reference class).

Table X: entryRelationship Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] V:ActRelationshipType Closed
inversionInd BL [0..1]
contextConductionInd BL [0..1]
sequenceNumber INT [0..1]
negationInd BL [0..1]
seperatableInd BL [0..1]


In CDA R2.0, the following entryRelationships scenarios were provided as informative content:

Table X: Examples of typical entryRelationships
ActRelationship Type Reasonable Source and Target entries Comments
CAUS
(is etiology for)
(Act | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration) CAUS (Observation) Used to show that the source caused the target observation (for instance, source "diabetes mellitus" is the cause of target "kidney disease").
COMP
(has component)
(Act | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) COMP (Act | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Suppply) Used to show that the target is a component of the source (for instance "hemoglobin measurement" is a component of a "complete blood count").
GEVL
(evaluates (goal))
(Observation) GEVL (Observation) Used to link an observation (intent or actual) to a goal to indicate that the observation evaluates the goal (for instance, a source observation of "walking distance" evaluates a target goal of "adequate walking distance").
MFST
(is manifestation of)
(Observation) MFST (Observation) Used to say that the source is a manifestation of the target (for instance, source "hives" is a manifestation of target "penicillin allergy").
REFR
(refers to)
(Act | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) REFR (Act | Observation | ObservationMedia | Procedure | RegionOfInterest | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) Used to show a general relationship between the source and the target, when the more specific semantics of the relationship isn't known.
RSON
(has reason)
(Act | Encounter | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) RSON (Act | Encounter | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) Used to show the reason or rational for a service (for instance source "treadmill test" has reason "chest pain").
SAS
(starts after start)
(Act | Encounter | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) SAS (Act | Encounter | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) The source Act starts after the start of the target Act (for instance source "diaphoresis" starts after the start of target "chest pain").
SPRT
(has support)
(Observation) SPRT (Observation | ObservationMedia | RegionOfInterest) Used to show that the target provides supporting evidence for the source (for instance source "possible lung tumor" has support target "mass seen on chest-x-ray").
SUBJ
(has subject)
(Observation | RegionOfInterest) SUBJ (Observation | ObservationMedia) Used to relate a source region of interest to a target image, or to relate an observation to its subject observation (for instance, source "moderate severity" has subject target "chest pain").
NOTE: The preceding table provides examples of reasonable relationships between CDA entries, but does not represent a conformance constraint.

The ActRelationshipType "has subject" is similar to the ParticipationType "subject". Entries that primarily operate on physical subjects use the Participation, whereas entries that primarily operate on other entries use the ActRelationship.

XCRPT (is excerpt of) (Act | Observation) XCRPT (Act | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) Used to show that the source is excerpted from the target (for instance source "hemoglobin value of 12" is an excerpt of target "complete blood count").

The distinction between an excerpt and an informant participant can be blurry — such as in the case of recording a patient's medication history where the clinician may obtain the information from an informant or may excerpt the information from another computer system. An informant (or source of information) is a person who provides relevant information. An informant class is in the header, and can be overridden in the body. An excerpt is a sub portion of some other act.

entryRelationship.typeCode

In CDA R2.1 any entry (excluding Organizer), may be related to another entry, using the entryRelationship class. In the entryRelationship class, the typeCode attribute is used to define the semantic relationship that exists between the source or parent entry and the destination or child entry. The valueset binding on typeCode was been significantly enhanced in CDA R2.1, and now any code present in the HL7 entryRelationship code system (RIM 2.35) may be used.

Table X: Value set for entryRelationship.typeCode
V:ActRelationshipType [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.10317] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
CIND has contra-indication PRCN has pre-condition
RSON has reason BLOCK Blocks
CURE curative indication CURE.ADJ adjunct curative indication
DIAG diagnosis MITGT mitigates
RCVY Recovery MTGT.ADJ adjunct mitigation
SYMP symptomatic relief TRIG has trigger
COMP has component ARR arrival
CTRLV has control variable DEP departure
OUTC has outcome OBJC has continuing objective
OBJF has final objective GOAL has goal
RISK has risk PERT has pertinent information
SAE starts after end of SAS starts after start of
CHRG has charge COST has cost
CREDIT has credit DEBIT has debit
AUTH authorized by CAUS is etiology for
COVBY covered by DRIV is derived from
ELNK episodeLink EVID provides evidence for
EXACBY exacerbated by EXPL has explanation
ITEMSLOC items located LIMIT limited by
MFST is manifestation of NAME assigns name
PREV has previous instance REFR refers to
REFV has reference values RELVBY relieved by
SPRT has support SPRTBND has bounded support
SUBJ has subject SUMM summarized by
SEQL is sequel APND is appendage
COMPLY Update DOC documents
FLFS fulfills OCCR occurrence
OREF references order SCH schedules request
GEN has generalization GEVL evaluates (goal)
INST instantiates (master) MOD modifies
MTCH matches (trigger) OPTN has option
RCHAL re-challenge REV reverses
RPLC replaces SUCC succeeds
UPDT updates (condition) XCRPT Excerpts
VRXCRPT Excerpt verbatim XFRM transformation
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002
Note: Implementation Guide ("IG") authors will need to exercise caution and ensure they fully understand the semantics of the relationship defined by the term they have selected. In addition, IG authors will need to understand the impact of both inversionInd and negationInd flags, as these attributes can materially impact those semantics when machine processing.

entryRelationship.inversionInd

The entryRelationship.inversionInd can be set to "true" to indicate that the relationship should be interpreted as if the roles of the source and target entries were reversed. As in the example provided in CDA R2.0, "treadmill test" RSON (has reason) "chest pain". Inverted, this would have "chest pain" as the source and "treadmill test" as the target: "chest pain" RSON (inverted) "treadmill test". Inversion can be useful when the current context is describing the target of an act relationship that needs to be related back to the source.

The entryRelationship.negationInd can be set to "true" to indicate that the meaning of the link is negated. Examples where this might be useful:

  • If the relationship without negation specifies that Act A has Act B as a component, then the negation indicator specifies that Act A does not have Act B as a component.
  • If B is a reason for A, then negation means that B is not a reason for A.
  • If B is a pre-condition for A, then negation means that B is not a precondition for A.

entryRelationship.contextConductionInd

The entryRelationship.contextConductionInd differs from the otherwise common use of this attribute (see CDA Context) in that in all other cases where this attribute is used, the value is fixed at "true", whereas here the value is defaulted to "true", and can be changed to "false" when referencing an entry in the same document. Setting the context conduction to false when referencing an entry in the same document keeps clear the fact that the referenced object retains its original context.

entryRelationship.sequenceNumber

An integer specifying the relative sequential ordering of this relationship among other like-types relationships having the same source Act.

entryRelationship.negationInd

An indicator that asserts that the meaning of the link is negated.

entryRelationship.seperatableInd

An indication that the source Act is intended to be interpreted independently of the target Act. The value is defaulted to true.

5.3.8.5 reference

External References

CDA entries can reference external objects such as external images and prior reports. These external objects are not part of the authenticated document content. They contain sufficient attributes to enable an explicit reference rather than duplicating the entire referenced object. The CDA entry that wraps the external reference can be used to encode the specific portions of the external reference that are addressed in the narrative block.

Each object allows for an identifier and a code, and contains the RIM Act.text attribute, which can be used to store the URL and MIME type of the object. External objects always have a fixed moodCode of "EVN".

Table X: reference Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
typeCode CS [0..1] V:ActRelationshipExternalReference Fixed
seperatableInd BL [0..1]


reference.typeCode

A description of allowable reference.typeCode values are shown in the following table.

Table X: Value set for reference.typeCode
V:ActRelationshipType [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.10317] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ELNK episodeLink REFR refers to
SPRT has support RPLC replaces
XCRPT Excerpts
Code System: ActRelationshipType (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1002

reference.seperatableInd

The reference class contains the attribute reference.seperatableInd, which indicates whether or not the source is intended to be interpreted independently of the target. The indicator cannot prevent an individual or application from separating the source and target, but indicates the author's desire and willingness to attest to the content of the source if separated from the target. Typically, where seperatableInd is "false", the exchanged package should include the target of the reference so that the recipient can render it.


As in the table above (CDA entryRelationship Types), the following table is a guideline for reasonable relationships between CDA entries and external objects, and is not a conformance constraint.

Table X: EXAMPLE entryRelationship Types
ActRelationship Type Reasonable Source and Target classes Comments
ELNK
(episode link)
(Observation) ELNK (ExternalObservation) Used to show that the source and the target are part of the same episode (for instance, a diagnosis of "pneumonia" can be linked to an external problem list entry of "pneumonia" to show that the current diagnosis is part of the ongoing episode of pneumonia).
REFR
(refers to)
(Act | Observation | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) REFR (ExternalAct | ExternalDocument | ExternalObservation | ExternalProcedure) Used to show a general relationship between the source and the target, when the more specific semantics of the relationship isn't known.
RPLC
(replace)
(Act | Encounter | Observation | ObservationMedia | Organizer | Procedure | SubstanceAdministration | Supply) RPLC (ExternalAct | ExternalDocument | ExternalObservation | ExternalProcedure) Used to indicate that the source entry is a replacement for the target external act.
SPRT
(has support)
(Observation) SPRT (ExternalDocument | ExternalObservation) Used to show that the target provides supporting evidence for the source.
SUBJ
(has subject)
(Observation | RegionOfInterest) SUBJ (ExternalObservation) Used to relate a source region of interest to a target image, or to relate an observation to its subject observation.
XCRPT
(is excerpt of)
(Act | Observation) XCRPT (ExternalAct | ExternalDocument | ExternalObservation | ExternalProcedure) Used to show that the source is excerpted from the target (for instance "the hemoglobin is 10.7" is an excerpt of an externally referenced "complete blood count").

Target classes of the reference relationship include ExternalAct, ExternalDocument, ExternalObservation, and External Procedure.


5.3.8.5.1 ExternalAct

The ExternalAct is a derivative of the RIM Act class, to be used when the other more specific classes are not appropriate.

Table X: ExternalAct Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] <= ACT is V:ActClassRoot Closed w/ Default
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
id II [1..*]
code CD [0..1] D:ActCode Open
text ED [0..1]

ExternalAct.classCode

The ExternalAct.classCode is bound to the ActClassRoot value set.

Table X: Value set for ExternalAct.classCode
V:ActClassRoot [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.13856] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
ACT (Default) act COMPOSITION composition, Attestable unit
DOC document DOCCLIN clinical document
CDALVLONE CDA Level One clinical document CONTAINER record container
CATEGORY category DOCBODY document body
CATEGORY document section, Section TOPIC topic
EXTRACT extract EHR electronic health record
FOLDER folder GROUPER grouper
CLUSTER Cluster ACCM accommodation
ACCT account ACSN accession
ADJUD financial adjudication, financial adjudication results CACT control act
ACTN action INFO information
STC state transition control CNTRCT contract
FCNTRCT financial contract COV coverage
CONS consent CONTREG container registration
CTTEVENT clinical trial timepoint event DISPACT disciplinary action
EXPOS exposure AEXPOS acquisition exposure
TEXPOS transmission exposure INC incident
INFRM inform INVE invoice element
LIST working list MPROT monitoring program
OBS Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI PCPR care provision
ENC encounter POLICY policy
JURISPOL jurisdictional policy ORGPOL organizational policy
SCOPOL scope of practice policy STDPOL standard of practice policy
PROC procedure SBEXT Substance Extraction
SPECCOLLECT Specimen Collection SBADM substance administration
REG registration REV review
SPCTRT specimen treatment SPLY supply
DIET diet STORE storage
SUBST Substitution TRFR transfer
TRNS transportation XACT financial transaction
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ExternalAct.moodCode

The ExternalAct.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" which represents the event mood. Indicating that the act has taken place and this is information about that act.

Table X: Fixed ExternalAct.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ExternalAct.id

The unique instance identifier for the ExternalAct.

ExternalAct.code

The particular kind of Act that the Act-instance represents within its class. ExternalAct.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the ExternalAct.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Act type (determined by the "classCode" attribute). It allows the use of rich terminologies such as LOINC and SNOMED to represent sub-types of the limited set of Act types defined by "classCode." The ExternalAct.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

ExternalAct.text

A reference to a renderable textual or multimedia description of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the ExternalAct.

5.3.8.5.2 ExternalDocument

The ExternalDocument is a derivative of the RIM Document class, used for representing external documents. ExternalDocument.text is modeled as an ED data type - allowing for the expression of the MIME type of the external document.

Table X: ExternalDocument Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] <=DOC is V:ActClassDocument Closed w/ Default
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
typeId II [1..1]
id II [1..*]
code CE [1..1] D:DocumentType Open
text ED [0..1]
setId II [0..1]
versionNumber ST.SIMPLE [0..1]

ExternalDocument.classCode

The ExternalDocument.classCode is fixed to "DOCCLIN"

Table X: Fixed ExternalDocument.classCode
V:ActClassDocument [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.18938] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
DOC(Default) document

DOCCLIN||clinical document

CDALVLONE CDA Level One clinical document
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ExternalDocument..moodCode

The ExternalDocument.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" which represents the event mood. Indicating that the document has been created and is available.

Table X: Fixed ExternalDocument.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ExternalDocument.id

The unique instance identifier for the ExternalDocument.

ExternalDocument.code

The ExternalDocument.code is bound to the DocumentType concept domain.

ExternalDocument.text

A reference to the external document.

ExternalDocument.setId

The ExternalDocument.setId is an optional identifier that does not change with revisions to a document.

ExternalDocument.versionNumber

The ExternalDocument.setId is an optional version number, that must be used with the setId to identify a given document.

5.3.8.5.3 ExternalObservation

The ExternalObservation is a derivative of the RIM Observation class, used for representing external coded and other observations.

Table X: ExternalObservation Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] <= OBS is V:ActClassObservation Closed w/ Default
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
id II [1..*]
code CD [0..1] D:ActCode Open
text ED [0..1]

ExternalObservation.classCode

The ExternalObservation.classCode is defaulted to "OBS" in indicate an observation, but be be set to any code in the ActCode concept domain.

Table X: Value set for ExternalObservation.classCode
V:ActClassObservation [2.16.840.1.113883.1.11.11529] (CLOSED)
Code Display Name Code Display Name
OBS (Default) Observation ALRT detected issue
BATTERY battery CLNTRL clinical trial
CONC concern COND Condition
CASE public health case OUTB outbreak
DGIMG diagnostic image GEN genomic observation
DETPOL determinant peptide EXP expression level
LOC locus PHN phenotype
POL polypeptide SEQ bio sequence
SEQVAR bio sequence variation INVSTG investigation
OBSSER observation series OBSCOR correlated observation sequences
POS position POSACC position accuracy
POSCOORD position coordinate SPCOBS specimen observation
VERIF Verification ROIBND bounded ROI
ROIOVL overlay ROI LLD (Deprecated) left lateral decubitus
PRN (Deprecated) prone RLD (Deprecated) right lateral decubitus
SFWL (Deprecated) Semi-Fowler's SIT (Deprecated) sitting
STN (Deprecated) standing SUP (Deprecated) supine
RTRD (Deprecated) reverse trendelenburg TRD (Deprecated) trendelenburg
CNOD (Deprecated) Condition Node
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ExternalObservation.moodCode

The ExternalObservation.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" which represents the event mood. Indicating that the observation has taken place and this is information about that observation.

Table X: Fixed ExternalObservation.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ExternalObservation.id

The unique instance identifier for the ExternalObservation.

ExternalObservation.code

The particular kind of observation that the observation-instance represents within its class. ExternalObservation.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the ExternalObservation.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Observation type (determined by the "classCode" attribute). It allows the use of rich terminologies such as LOINC and SNOMED to represent sub-types of the limited set of observation types defined by "classCode." The ExternalObservation.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

ExternalObservation.text

A reference to a renderable textual or multimedia description of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the ExternalObservation.

5.3.8.5.4 ExternalProcedure

The ExternalProcedure is a derivative of the RIM Procedure class, used for representing external procedures.

Table X: ExternalProcedure Attributes
Attribute Name Data Type Cardinality Code Binding Binding Type
classCode CS [0..1] PROC Fixed
moodCode CS [0..1] EVN Fixed
id II [1..*]
code CD [0..1] D:ActCode Open
text ED [0..1]

ExternalProcedure.classCode

The ExternalProcedure.classCode is fixed to "PROC".

Table X: Fixed ExternalProcedure.classCode
Code Display Name
PROC procedure
Code System: ActClass (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.6

ExternalProcedure.moodCode

The ExternalProcedure.moodCode is fixed to "EVN" which represents the event mood. Indicating that the procedure has taken place and this is information about that procedure.

Table X: Fixed ExternalProcedure.moodCode
Code Display Name
EVN event
Code System: ActMood (HL7) Code System OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.5.1001

ExternalProcedure.id

The unique instance identifier for the ExternalProcedure.

ExternalProcedure.code

The particular kind of procedure that the procedure-instance represents within its class. ExternalProcedure.code, if used, SHALL be a specialization of the ExternalProcedure.classCode. This attribute defines a specific sub-type of a given Procedure type (determined by the "classCode" attribute). It allows the use of rich terminologies such as LOINC and SNOMED to represent sub-types of the limited set of Procedure types defined by "classCode." The ExternalProcedure.code is bound to the ActCode concept domain.

ExternalProcedure.text

A reference to a renderable textual or multimedia description of the complete information which would reasonably be expected to be displayed to a human reader conveyed by the ExternalProcedure.

5.4 CDA Context

CDA context is set in the CDA header and applies to the entire document. Context can be overridden at the level of the body, section, and/or CDA entry.

5.4.1 Overview of CDA Context

A document, in a sense, is a contextual wrapper for its contents. Assertions in the document header are typically applicable to statements made in the body of the document, unless overridden. For instance, the patient identified in the header is assumed to be the subject of observations described in the body of the document, unless a different subject is explicitly stated, or the author identified in the header is assumed to be the author of the entire document, unless a different author is explicitly identified on a section. The objective of the CDA context rules are to make these practices explicit with relationship to the RIM, such that a computer will understand the context of a portion of a document the same way that a human interprets it.

At the same time, there is no guarantee that machine processing will identify a mistaken application of contextual rules. If a physician records an "outside diagnosis" in narrative but does not nullify the "informant" context, machine processing will not identify the switch in attribution. This is a special case illustrating the limits of automated validation of electronic records and would apply regardless of the context inheritance mechanism. In other words, from some errors of encoding, there is no recovery other than human review.

CDA's approach to context, and the propagation of that context to nested document components, follows these design principles:

  • CDA uses the RIM context mechanism (contextControlCode for Participations; contextConductionInd for ActRelationships), and assigns fixed values to these attributes to accomplish the design objectives below, thus constraining the RIM context model. CDA extends the context propagation property to designated attributes of the CDA Header, which also propagate through any ActRelationship for which contextConductionInd="true".
  • The CDA Header sets context for the entire document. A propagating value specified in the document header holds true throughout the document, unless explicitly overridden. This principal applies to both Participations and to designated attributes of the CDA Header. Contextual header components (i.e., those that have propagating values) include:
    • Author
    • Confidentiality
    • Data enterer
    • Human language
    • Informant
    • Legal authenticator
    • Participant
    • Record target
  • Context components that can be overridden at the level of the document body include:
    • Confidentiality
    • Human language
  • Context components that can be overridden at the level of a document section include:
    • Author
    • Confidentiality
    • Human language
    • Informant
    • Subject
  • Context components that can be overridden at the level of a CDA entry include:
    • Author
    • Human language
    • Informant
    • Participant
    • Subject
  • Context propagates from outer tags to nested tags. Context that is specified on an outer tag holds true for all nested tags, unless overridden on a nested tag. Context specified on a tag within the CDA body always overrides context propagated from an outer tag. For instance, the specification of authorship at a document section level overrides all authorship propagated from outer tags.
  • Context is sometimes known precisely, and is sometimes unknown, such as in the case where a document is comprised of a large unparsed narrative block that potentially includes statements that contradict outer context. Because CDA context always propagates unless overridden, the representation of unknown context is achieved by overriding with a null value.

5.4.2 Technical Aspects of CDA Context

The RIM defines the "context" of an act as those participants of the act that can be propagated to nested acts. In the RIM, whether or not contextual participants do propagate to nested acts depends on whether or not the intervening act relationship between parent and child act allows for conduction of context. The explicit representation of context, and whether or not the context on an act can propagate to nested acts, is expressed via the RIM attributes Participation.contextControlCode and ActRelationship.contextConductionInd. CDA constrains the general RIM context mechanism such that context always overrides and propagates, as shown in the following table.

Table X: CDA constraints on RIM context attributes
RIM attribute Cardinality Conformance Fixed Value
Participation.contextControlCode 1..1 Mandatory (NULL values not permitted) "OP" (overriding, propagating)
ActRelationship.contextConductionInd 1..1 Mandatory (NULL values not permitted) "true"*

*The one exception to this is entryRelationship.contextConductionInd, which is defaulted to "true", but can be changed to "false". See entryRelationship for details.

Where the context of a nested component is unknown, the propagated context must be overridden with a null-valued component, as shown in the following table.

Table X: Blocking context propagation with null values
Context Null value representation
Author AssignedAuthor.id = NULL; No playing entity; No scoping entity.
Confidentiality confidentialityCode = NULL.
Human language languageCode = NULL.
Informant AssignedEntity.id = NULL; No playing entity; No scoping entity.
Participant ParticipantRole.id = NULL; No playing entity; No scoping entity.

The following exhibit illustrates the CDA context model. ClinicalDocument has an author participant, a confidentialityCode, and a languageCode, all of which will propagate to nested acts. The component act relationship going from ClinicalDocument to bodyChoice has contextConductionInd fixed as "true", thus allowing for the propagation of context. The bodyChoice classes, NonXMLBody and StructuredBody, contain a confidentialityCode and languageCode which can be used to override the value specified in the header. The component act relationship going from StructuredBody to Section has contextConductionInd fixed at "true", thus the context on StructuredBody will propagate through to Section. Section can override confidentialityCode, languageCode, and author. A null value for the Section's author participant indicates that the author for that particular section is unknown.

Link to wide graphic (opens in a new window)

Because context is always overriding and propagating, one can compute the context of a given node by looking for the most proximate assertion. The following example is a sample XPath expression that can be used to identify the <author> context of a section or entry:

Example X
(ancestor-or-self::*/author)[position()=last()]

5.4.3 InfrastructureRoot & CDA Classes

All of CDA classes inherits 1 attribute and 3 element from InfrastructureRoot. Infrastructure Root provides a set of infrastructure attributes that may be used in instances of HL7-specified, RIM-based classes. When valued in an instance, these attributes indicate whether the information structure is being constrained by specifically defined templates, realms or common element types.


  • An optional nullFlavor attribute has been added to each CDA class. When the class is null, this code can be used to indicate the flavor of null that is intended.

The following 3 optional elements have been added at the beginning of each CDA class:

  • realmCode, is vocabulary domain qualifier that allows the vocabulary domain of coded attributes to be specialized according to the geographical, organizational, or political environment where the HL7 standard is being used. It is defined as a SET<CS>data type.
  • typeId, is a unique identifier for an HL7 static structure that imposes constraints on an artifact. In CDA it must be defined at the root element, to indicate a CDA R2.1 document,with ClinicalDocument.typeId.root = "2.16.840.1.113883.1.3" (which is the OID for HL7 Registered models); ClinicalDocument.typeId.extension = "POCD_HD000040UV" (which is the unique identifier for the CDA, Release Two Hierarchical Description). As CMETs are not used in CDA, this element will not be used in other classes. It is defined as a II data type.
  • templateId, is an optional unique identifier, which indicates to a receiver that a set of constraints have been defined for a given class and it's attributes. See section 4 on templates in CDA.

6 CDA Hierarchical Description

NOTE: The definitive description of HL7 Hierarchical Description development and interpretation can be found here.

The CDA Hierarchical Description POCD_HD000040UV as an Excel View can be found here.

The CDA HD is the definitive source for CDA conformance rules, and serves as the source from which the CDA Schema is derived. While a CDA instance must validate against the CDA Schema, it must also adhere to the conformance rules stated in the CDA Hierarchical Description, and to the rules expressed in the narrative of this specification.

HL7 enables conformance specification at the level of each RIM attribute. RIM attributes can be defined as "Required", in which case the originator must populate the attribute where a value is known even if the cardinality is optional, and "Mandatory", in which case the originator must populate the attribute with a non-NULL value in all cases.

In CDA, Release 2.1, the "Required" and "Mandatory" conformance indicators are applied as follows:

  • Required attributes:
    • Section.text
    • All attributes where lower cardinality is greater than 0.
  • Mandatory attributes:
    • ClinicalDocument.typeId
    • RIM Structural Attributes
      • ClassCode
      • MoodCode
      • TypeCode
      • DeterminerCode
    • Context attributes
      • contextControlCode
      • ContextConductionInd

Note: Note that where Mandatory attributes have a default or fixed value supplied in the CDA HD, the instance need not contain a value. In such cases, the receiver must assume the default value.

7 CDA XML Implementation

Note: The definitive description of HL7 XML Implementation Technology Specification and the process used to go from Hierarchical Description to Schema can be found here.

The CDA Schema can be found here

The Datatypes.xsd file can be found here

The Datatypes-base.xsd file can be found here

The POCD_MT000040UV.xsd file can be found here

The CDA Narrative Block schema can be found here.

The voc.xsd file can be found here.

The CDA Schema is not itself a normative artifact. Rather, checking an instance against the CDA Schema is a surrogate for validating conformance against the normative XML ITS.

The CDA Narrative Block, which is the XML content model of section.text, is manually crafted, as described above (see Narrative Block). Note that while the CDA Schema is not a normative artifact, the CDA Narrative Block schema is.