This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v4.0.1: R4 - Mixed Normative and STU) in it's permanent home (it will always be available at this URL). 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
Patient Care Work Group | Maturity Level: 3 | Trial Use | Security Category: Patient | Compartments: Encounter, Patient, Practitioner, RelatedPerson |
Detailed Descriptions for the elements in the Procedure resource.
Procedure | |
Element Id | Procedure |
Definition | An action that is or was performed on or for a patient. This can be a physical intervention like an operation, or less invasive like long term services, counseling, or hypnotherapy. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | DomainResource |
Procedure.identifier | |
Element Id | Procedure.identifier |
Definition | Business identifiers assigned to this procedure by the performer or other systems which remain constant as the resource is updated and is propagated from server to server. |
Note | This is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion) |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Identifier |
Requirements | Allows identification of the procedure as it is known by various participating systems and in a way that remains consistent across servers. |
Summary | true |
Comments | This is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion). It is best practice for the identifier to only appear on a single resource instance, however business practices may occasionally dictate that multiple resource instances with the same identifier can exist - possibly even with different resource types. For example, multiple Patient and Person resource instances might share the same social insurance number. |
Procedure.instantiatesCanonical | |
Element Id | Procedure.instantiatesCanonical |
Definition | The URL pointing to a FHIR-defined protocol, guideline, order set or other definition that is adhered to in whole or in part by this Procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | canonical(PlanDefinition | ActivityDefinition | Measure | OperationDefinition | Questionnaire) |
Summary | true |
Procedure.instantiatesUri | |
Element Id | Procedure.instantiatesUri |
Definition | The URL pointing to an externally maintained protocol, guideline, order set or other definition that is adhered to in whole or in part by this Procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | uri |
Summary | true |
Comments | This might be an HTML page, PDF, etc. or could just be a non-resolvable URI identifier. |
Procedure.basedOn | |
Element Id | Procedure.basedOn |
Definition | A reference to a resource that contains details of the request for this procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Reference(CarePlan | ServiceRequest) |
Alternate Names | fulfills |
Summary | true |
Procedure.partOf | |
Element Id | Procedure.partOf |
Definition | A larger event of which this particular procedure is a component or step. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Reference(Procedure | Observation | MedicationAdministration) |
Alternate Names | container |
Summary | true |
Comments | The MedicationAdministration resource has a partOf reference to Procedure, but this is not a circular reference. For example, the anesthesia MedicationAdministration is part of the surgical Procedure (MedicationAdministration.partOf = Procedure). For example, the procedure to insert the IV port for an IV medication administration is part of the medication administration (Procedure.partOf = MedicationAdministration). |
Procedure.status | |
Element Id | Procedure.status |
Definition | A code specifying the state of the procedure. Generally, this will be the in-progress or completed state. |
Cardinality | 1..1 |
Terminology Binding | EventStatus (Required) |
Type | code |
Is Modifier | true (Reason: This element is labelled as a modifier because it is a status element that contains status entered-in-error which means that the resource should not be treated as valid) |
Summary | true |
Comments | The "unknown" code is not to be used to convey other statuses. The "unknown" code should be used when one of the statuses applies, but the authoring system doesn't know the current state of the procedure. This element is labeled as a modifier because the status contains codes that mark the resource as not currently valid. |
Procedure.statusReason | |
Element Id | Procedure.statusReason |
Definition | Captures the reason for the current state of the procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Not Performed Reason (SNOMED-CT) (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Alternate Names | Suspended Reason; Cancelled Reason |
Summary | true |
Comments | This is generally only used for "exception" statuses such as "not-done", "suspended" or "aborted". The reason for performing the event at all is captured in reasonCode, not here. |
Procedure.category | |
Element Id | Procedure.category |
Definition | A code that classifies the procedure for searching, sorting and display purposes (e.g. "Surgical Procedure"). |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Category Codes (SNOMED CT) (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Summary | true |
Procedure.code | |
Element Id | Procedure.code |
Definition | The specific procedure that is performed. Use text if the exact nature of the procedure cannot be coded (e.g. "Laparoscopic Appendectomy"). |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Codes (SNOMED CT) (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Requirements | 0..1 to account for primarily narrative only resources. |
Alternate Names | type |
Summary | true |
Procedure.subject | |
Element Id | Procedure.subject |
Definition | The person, animal or group on which the procedure was performed. |
Cardinality | 1..1 |
Type | Reference(Patient | Group) |
Alternate Names | patient |
Summary | true |
Procedure.encounter | |
Element Id | Procedure.encounter |
Definition | The Encounter during which this Procedure was created or performed or to which the creation of this record is tightly associated. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Type | Reference(Encounter) |
Summary | true |
Comments | This will typically be the encounter the event occurred within, but some activities may be initiated prior to or after the official completion of an encounter but still be tied to the context of the encounter. |
Procedure.performed[x] | |
Element Id | Procedure.performed[x] |
Definition | Estimated or actual date, date-time, period, or age when the procedure was performed. Allows a period to support complex procedures that span more than one date, and also allows for the length of the procedure to be captured. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Type | dateTime|Period|string|Age|Range |
[x] Note | See Choice of Data Types for further information about how to use [x] |
Summary | true |
Comments | Age is generally used when the patient reports an age at which the procedure was performed. Range is generally used when the patient reports an age range when the procedure was performed, such as sometime between 20-25 years old. dateTime supports a range of precision due to some procedures being reported as past procedures that might not have millisecond precision while other procedures performed and documented during the encounter might have more precise UTC timestamps with timezone. |
Procedure.recorder | |
Element Id | Procedure.recorder |
Definition | Individual who recorded the record and takes responsibility for its content. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Type | Reference(Patient | RelatedPerson | Practitioner | PractitionerRole) |
Summary | true |
Procedure.asserter | |
Element Id | Procedure.asserter |
Definition | Individual who is making the procedure statement. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Type | Reference(Patient | RelatedPerson | Practitioner | PractitionerRole) |
Summary | true |
Procedure.performer | |
Element Id | Procedure.performer |
Definition | Limited to "real" people rather than equipment. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Summary | true |
Procedure.performer.function | |
Element Id | Procedure.performer.function |
Definition | Distinguishes the type of involvement of the performer in the procedure. For example, surgeon, anaesthetist, endoscopist. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Performer Role Codes (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Requirements | Allows disambiguation of the types of involvement of different performers. |
Summary | true |
Procedure.performer.actor | |
Element Id | Procedure.performer.actor |
Definition | The practitioner who was involved in the procedure. |
Cardinality | 1..1 |
Type | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization | Patient | RelatedPerson | Device) |
Requirements | A reference to Device supports use cases, such as pacemakers. |
Summary | true |
Procedure.performer.onBehalfOf | |
Element Id | Procedure.performer.onBehalfOf |
Definition | The organization the device or practitioner was acting on behalf of. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Type | Reference(Organization) |
Requirements | Practitioners and Devices can be associated with multiple organizations. This element indicates which organization they were acting on behalf of when performing the action. |
Procedure.location | |
Element Id | Procedure.location |
Definition | The location where the procedure actually happened. E.g. a newborn at home, a tracheostomy at a restaurant. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Type | Reference(Location) |
Requirements | Ties a procedure to where the records are likely kept. |
Summary | true |
Procedure.reasonCode | |
Element Id | Procedure.reasonCode |
Definition | The coded reason why the procedure was performed. This may be a coded entity of some type, or may simply be present as text. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Reason Codes (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Summary | true |
Comments | Use Procedure.reasonCode when a code sufficiently describes the reason. Use Procedure.reasonReference when referencing a resource, which allows more information to be conveyed, such as onset date. Procedure.reasonCode and Procedure.reasonReference are not meant to be duplicative. For a single reason, either Procedure.reasonCode or Procedure.reasonReference can be used. Procedure.reasonCode may be a summary code, or Procedure.reasonReference may be used to reference a very precise definition of the reason using Condition | Observation | Procedure | DiagnosticReport | DocumentReference. Both Procedure.reasonCode and Procedure.reasonReference can be used if they are describing different reasons for the procedure. |
Procedure.reasonReference | |
Element Id | Procedure.reasonReference |
Definition | The justification of why the procedure was performed. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Reference(Condition | Observation | Procedure | DiagnosticReport | DocumentReference) |
Summary | true |
Comments | It is possible for a procedure to be a reason (such as C-Section) for another procedure (such as an epidural). Other examples include endoscopy for dilatation and biopsy (a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic use). Use Procedure.reasonCode when a code sufficiently describes the reason. Use Procedure.reasonReference when referencing a resource, which allows more information to be conveyed, such as onset date. Procedure.reasonCode and Procedure.reasonReference are not meant to be duplicative. For a single reason, either Procedure.reasonCode or Procedure.reasonReference can be used. Procedure.reasonCode may be a summary code, or Procedure.reasonReference may be used to reference a very precise definition of the reason using Condition | Observation | Procedure | DiagnosticReport | DocumentReference. Both Procedure.reasonCode and Procedure.reasonReference can be used if they are describing different reasons for the procedure. |
Procedure.bodySite | |
Element Id | Procedure.bodySite |
Definition | Detailed and structured anatomical location information. Multiple locations are allowed - e.g. multiple punch biopsies of a lesion. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Terminology Binding | SNOMED CT Body Structures (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Summary | true |
Comments | If the use case requires attributes from the BodySite resource (e.g. to identify and track separately) then use the standard extension procedure-targetbodystructure. |
Procedure.outcome | |
Element Id | Procedure.outcome |
Definition | The outcome of the procedure - did it resolve the reasons for the procedure being performed? |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Outcome Codes (SNOMED CT) (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Summary | true |
Comments | If outcome contains narrative text only, it can be captured using the CodeableConcept.text. |
Procedure.report | |
Element Id | Procedure.report |
Definition | This could be a histology result, pathology report, surgical report, etc. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Reference(DiagnosticReport | DocumentReference | Composition) |
Comments | There could potentially be multiple reports - e.g. if this was a procedure which took multiple biopsies resulting in a number of anatomical pathology reports. |
Procedure.complication | |
Element Id | Procedure.complication |
Definition | Any complications that occurred during the procedure, or in the immediate post-performance period. These are generally tracked separately from the notes, which will typically describe the procedure itself rather than any 'post procedure' issues. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Terminology Binding | Condition/Problem/Diagnosis Codes (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Comments | If complications are only expressed by the narrative text, they can be captured using the CodeableConcept.text. |
Procedure.complicationDetail | |
Element Id | Procedure.complicationDetail |
Definition | Any complications that occurred during the procedure, or in the immediate post-performance period. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Reference(Condition) |
Requirements | This is used to document a condition that is a result of the procedure, not the condition that was the reason for the procedure. |
Procedure.followUp | |
Element Id | Procedure.followUp |
Definition | If the procedure required specific follow up - e.g. removal of sutures. The follow up may be represented as a simple note or could potentially be more complex, in which case the CarePlan resource can be used. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Follow up Codes (SNOMED CT) (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Procedure.note | |
Element Id | Procedure.note |
Definition | Any other notes and comments about the procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Annotation |
Procedure.focalDevice | |
Element Id | Procedure.focalDevice |
Definition | A device that is implanted, removed or otherwise manipulated (calibration, battery replacement, fitting a prosthesis, attaching a wound-vac, etc.) as a focal portion of the Procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Procedure.focalDevice.action | |
Element Id | Procedure.focalDevice.action |
Definition | The kind of change that happened to the device during the procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..1 |
Terminology Binding | Procedure Device Action Codes (Preferred) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Procedure.focalDevice.manipulated | |
Element Id | Procedure.focalDevice.manipulated |
Definition | The device that was manipulated (changed) during the procedure. |
Cardinality | 1..1 |
Type | Reference(Device) |
Procedure.usedReference | |
Element Id | Procedure.usedReference |
Definition | Identifies medications, devices and any other substance used as part of the procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Type | Reference(Device | Medication | Substance) |
Requirements | Used for tracking contamination, etc. |
Comments | For devices actually implanted or removed, use Procedure.device. |
Procedure.usedCode | |
Element Id | Procedure.usedCode |
Definition | Identifies coded items that were used as part of the procedure. |
Cardinality | 0..* |
Terminology Binding | FHIR Device Types (Example) |
Type | CodeableConcept |
Comments | For devices actually implanted or removed, use Procedure.device. |