DSTU2 QA Preview
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This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v1.0.0: DSTU 2 Ballot 3). The current version which supercedes this version is 5.0.0. For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions . Page versions: R5 R4B R4 R3 R2

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  • Extensiblity
  • Defining Extensions
  • Examples
  • Detailed Descriptions
  • Registry

    • 1.17.1 Defining Extensions

    FHIR Infrastructure Work GroupMaturity Level: N/ABallot Status: DSTU 2

    All extensions used in resources require a formal published definition which can be used by application developers, or the applications themselves, to help integrate extensions into the healthcare process they support.

    Every extension in a resource refers directly to its definition, which is made available as a StructureDefinition. A resource can be profiled to specify where particular extensions are used.

    Whenever resources containing extensions are exchanged, the definitions of the extensions SHALL be available to all the parties that share the resources. Each extension contains a URI that references the source of the definitions as a StructureDefinition. The source SHOULD be a literal reference, such as an http: url that refers to an end-point that responds with the contents of the definitions - preferably a FHIR RESTful server supporting the Resources Profile, or a logical reference (e.g. using a urn:) - for instance, to a national published standard. Extensions may be defined by any project or jurisdiction, up to and including international standards organizations such as HL7 itself.

    Before defining a new extension, attempt to reuse existing extensions defined in one of the shared registries described below. As well, some concepts may be appropriate to adding as part of the core specification.

    1.17.1.1 Core Elements

    Elements are included as part of FHIR resources and data types principally on the basis of current world-wide usage patterns. Policy is that if a significant majority of systems throughout the world that would use a resource or data type would use an element, then that element will be included as part of the resource/data type. If not, it will be left to an extension. This holds even if the element is very common or even mandatory in one or two specific jurisdictions.

    Proposals suggesting a new core element can be raised by anyone. (Free registration is required.) However, given the timelines for new FHIR releases as well as the uncertainties associated with vetting the specification through a ballot process, it may still be necessary to define extensions even for elements that are likely to be supported as part of the core specification in a future release.

    1.17.1.2 Context

    Extensions are always defined against some particular context - the type of element that they may be used to extend. The following are possible contexts for an extension:

    CodeContext typeContext formatExamples
    resource A particular element (including the root) in a single resource The element path for that element, using the standard dotted notation Condition
    Condition.code
    datatype A particular element (including the root) in a particular data type The data type name for primitive types or the element path for complex data types. These extensions can be used anywhere the data type is used Address.part.value
    string
    mapping A particular context in one of the mapped reference models The name of the reference model followed by the mapping path. The details of the path depend on the named mapping RIM: Act[moodCode="EVN"]
    extension Another extension The profile URI of the extension followed by the extension code http://myextensions.org/someExtension

    Note: For type 'resource' and 'datatype', if the context is an element that can have multiple types, then use (e.g.) Observationn.value[x] if the extension works on all choice types, or otherwise an enumeration of explicitly named elements if not (e.g. Observation.valueQuantity)

    In addition, the extension definition might apply additional constraints with regards to particular element values of the target that make its use appropriate. Extensions SHALL only be used on a target for which they are defined.

    1.17.1.3 Publishing Extension Definitions

    As well as defining the base element structure for resources, HL7 also publishes extensions, including as part of this specification. HL7 publishes such data definitions as extensions rather than as part of the base resource structure in order to keep the base resource structure simple and concise, and to allow implementers not to engage with an entire world's worth of functionality up front. Note that HL7 does not generally define "modifier" extensions - if HL7 publishes an element that modifies the meaning of other elements, it will mostly be part of the resource content itself, since everyone has to understand the extension anyway.

    Before extensions can be used in instances, their definition SHALL be published. HL7 maintains two extension registries:

    1. HL7 approved extensions, approved by an appropriate part of the HL7 community following a review process, and which have formal standing
    2. Provided as a service to the community, where anyone can register an extension

    Users are encouraged to register their extensions in the second registry, though this is not required. All that is required is that the extension is published in a context that is available for users of the extension. So, for example, if a particular extension is only used within a single institution, the definition of the extension can be placed on the institution's intranet. However since, by their nature, resources tend to travel well, it's always better to use the HL7 or other publicly accessible extension registries.

    The HL7 FHIR registry can be found at http://fhir.org/registry .

    HL7 extension definitions may be balloted alongside resource content as part of the FHIR specification or may be published as part of separate specifications. When HL7 publishes extension definitions as part of the FHIR specification, these extensions SHALL be used for this data whenever the data is represented in instances. Applications SHOULD use other HL7-defined extensions published to represent equivalent data in the interest of maximum interoperability.

    To minimize complexity for implementers, HL7 will not elevate widely adopted extensions (defined by HL7 or other organizations) to be content defined in a core resource in future versions of the resource unless there is widespread endorsement of such a migration from the implementer community. This policy ensures that widespread adoption of an extension does not result in a forced migration to a core element. Extensions labeled as draft may be moved in either direction, but after extensions are finalised as normative they won't be moved.

    In some cases, an HL7 work group or other body may publish a profile whose sole purpose is to define extensions expected to be needed by implementers in a particular context. E.g. extensions needed to map a particular set of v2 segments or a v3 model.

    Implementations are encouraged to share their extensions with HL7 and register them with the HL7 extension registry. The domain committees will work to elevate the extensions into HL7 published extensions or, if adopted by a broad enough portion of the implementer community, the into the base resource structure itself.

    To avoid interoperability issues, extensions SHALL NOT change their definition once published. (Small clarifications to descriptions that do not affect interoperability are permitted.) Rather than modifying an existing extension, a new extension should be introduced. Revisions to an extension may extend the set of contexts in which the extension apply but may not remove or constrain any context previously listed