FHIR Release 3 (STU)

This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v3.0.2: STU 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

Pharmacy Work GroupMaturity Level: 3Ballot Status: Trial Use
Dosage
Definition

Indicates how the medication is/was taken or should be taken by the patient.

Control1..1
Summarytrue
Dosage.sequence
Definition

Indicates the order in which the dosage instructions should be applied or interpreted.

Control0..1
Typeinteger
Requirements

If the sequence number of multiple Dosages is the same, then it is implied that the instructions are to be treated as concurrent. If the sequence number is different, then the Dosages are intended to be sequential.

Summarytrue
Dosage.text
Definition

Free text dosage instructions e.g. SIG.

Control0..1
Typestring
Requirements

Free text dosage instructions can be used for cases where the instructions are too complex to code. The content of this attribute does not include the name or description of the medication. When coded instructions are present, the free text instructions may still be present for display to humans taking or administering the medication. It is expected that the text instructions will always be populated. If the dosage.timing attribute is also populated, then the dosage.text should reflect the same information as the timing.

Summarytrue
Dosage.additionalInstruction
Definition

Supplemental instruction - e.g. "with meals".

Control0..*
Terminology BindingSNOMED CT Additional Dosage Instructions (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Requirements

Additional instruction such as "Swallow with plenty of water" which may or may not be coded.

Summarytrue
Dosage.patientInstruction
Definition

Instructions in terms that are understood by the patient or consumer.

Control0..1
Typestring
Summarytrue
Dosage.timing
Definition

When medication should be administered.

Control0..1
TypeTiming
Requirements

The timing schedule for giving the medication to the patient. The Schedule data type allows many different expressions. For example: "Every 8 hours"; "Three times a day"; "1/2 an hour before breakfast for 10 days from 23-Dec 2011:"; "15 Oct 2013, 17 Oct 2013 and 1 Nov 2013". Sometimes, a rate can imply duration when expressed as total volume / duration (e.g. 500mL/2 hours implies a duration of 2 hours). However, when rate doesn't imply duration (e.g. 250mL/hour), then the timing.repeat.duration is needed to convey the infuse over time period.

Summarytrue
Comments

This attribute may not always be populated while the Dosage.text is expected to be populated. If both are populated, then the Dosage.text should reflect the content of the Dosage.timing.

Dosage.asNeeded[x]
Definition

Indicates whether the Medication is only taken when needed within a specific dosing schedule (Boolean option), or it indicates the precondition for taking the Medication (CodeableConcept).

Control0..1
Terminology BindingSNOMED CT Medication As Needed Reason Codes (Example)
Typeboolean|CodeableConcept
[x] NoteSee Choice of Data Types for further information about how to use [x]
Summarytrue
Comments

Can express "as needed" without a reason by setting the Boolean = True. In this case the CodeableConcept is not populated. Or you can express "as needed" with a reason by including the CodeableConcept. In this case the Boolean is assumed to be True. If you set the Boolean to False, then the dose is given according to the schedule and is not "prn" or "as needed".

Dosage.site
Definition

Body site to administer to.

Control0..1
Terminology BindingSNOMED CT Anatomical Structure for Administration Site Codes (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Requirements

A coded specification of the anatomic site where the medication first enters the body.

Summarytrue
Comments

If the use case requires attributes from the BodySite resource (e.g. to identify and track separately) then use the standard extension body-site-instance. May be a summary code, or a reference to a very precise definition of the location, or both.

Dosage.route
Definition

How drug should enter body.

Control0..1
Terminology BindingSNOMED CT Route Codes (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Requirements

A code specifying the route or physiological path of administration of a therapeutic agent into or onto a patient's body.

Summarytrue
Dosage.method
Definition

Technique for administering medication.

Control0..1
Terminology BindingSNOMED CT Administration Method Codes (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Requirements

A coded value indicating the method by which the medication is introduced into or onto the body. Most commonly used for injections. For examples, Slow Push; Deep IV.

Summarytrue
Comments

Terminologies used often pre-coordinate this term with the route and or form of administration.

Dosage.dose[x]
Definition

Amount of medication per dose.

Control0..1
TypeRange|SimpleQuantity
[x] NoteSee Choice of Data Types for further information about how to use [x]
Requirements

The amount of therapeutic or other substance given at one administration event.

Summarytrue
Comments

Note that this specifies the quantity of the specified medication, not the quantity for each active ingredient(s). Each ingredient amount can be communicated in the Medication resource. For example, if one wants to communicate that a tablet was 375 mg, where the dose was one tablet, you can use the Medication resource to document that the tablet was comprised of 375 mg of drug XYZ. Alternatively if the dose was 375 mg, then you may only need to use the Medication resource to indicate this was a tablet. If the example were an IV such as dopamine and you wanted to communicate that 400mg of dopamine was mixed in 500 ml of some IV solution, then this would all be communicated in the Medication resource. If the administration is not intended to be instantaneous (rate is present or timing has a duration), this can be specified to convey the total amount to be administered over the period of time as indicated by the schedule e.g. 500 ml in dose, with timing used to convey that this should be done over 4 hours.

Dosage.maxDosePerPeriod
Definition

Upper limit on medication per unit of time.

Control0..1
TypeRatio
Requirements

The maximum total quantity of a therapeutic substance that may be administered to a subject over the period of time. For example, 1000mg in 24 hours.

Summarytrue
Comments

This is intended for use as an adjunct to the dosage when there is an upper cap. For example "2 tablets every 4 hours to a maximum of 8/day".

Dosage.maxDosePerAdministration
Definition

Upper limit on medication per administration.

Control0..1
TypeSimpleQuantity
Requirements

The maximum total quantity of a therapeutic substance that may be administered to a subject per administration.

Summarytrue
Comments

This is intended for use as an adjunct to the dosage when there is an upper cap. For example, a body surface area related dose with a maximum amount, such as 1.5 mg/m2 (maximum 2 mg) IV over 5 – 10 minutes would have doseQuantity of 1.5 mg/m2 and maxDosePerAdministration of 2 mg.

Dosage.maxDosePerLifetime
Definition

Upper limit on medication per lifetime of the patient.

Control0..1
TypeSimpleQuantity
Requirements

The maximum total quantity of a therapeutic substance that may be administered per lifetime of the subject.

Summarytrue
Dosage.rate[x]
Definition

Amount of medication per unit of time.

Control0..1
TypeRatio|Range|SimpleQuantity
[x] NoteSee Choice of Data Types for further information about how to use [x]
Requirements

Identifies the speed with which the medication was or will be introduced into the patient. Typically the rate for an infusion e.g. 100 ml per 1 hour or 100 ml/hr. May also be expressed as a rate per unit of time e.g. 500 ml per 2 hours. Other examples: 200 mcg/min or 200 mcg/1 minute; 1 liter/8 hours. Sometimes, a rate can imply duration when expressed as total volume / duration (e.g. 500mL/2 hours implies a duration of 2 hours). However, when rate doesn't imply duration (e.g. 250mL/hour), then the timing.repeat.duration is needed to convey the infuse over time period.

Summarytrue
Comments

It is possible to supply both a rate and a doseQuantity to provide full details about how the medication is to be administered and supplied. If the rate is intended to change over time, depending on local rules/regulations, each change should be captured as a new version of the MedicationRequest with an updated rate, or captured with a new MedicationRequest with the new rate.