HL7 FHIR® Implementation Guide: Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) - US Realm
1.1.0 - STU 2 Ballot

This page is part of the electronic Case Reporting (eCR) (v1.1.0: STU 2 on FHIR R4 Ballot 1) based on FHIR R4. The current version which supercedes this version is 2.1.0. For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: Ecr_MessageHeader - Detailed Descriptions

Definitions for the ecr-messageheader resource profile.

1. MessageHeader
Definition

The header for a message exchange that is either requesting or responding to an action. The reference(s) that are the subject of the action as well as other information related to the action are typically transmitted in a bundle in which the MessageHeader resource instance is the first resource in the bundle.

Control0..*
InvariantsDefined on this element
dom-2: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources (: contained.contained.empty())
dom-3: If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource (: contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty())
dom-4: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated (: contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty())
dom-5: If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label (: contained.meta.security.empty())
dom-6: A resource should have narrative for robust management (: text.`div`.exists())
2. MessageHeader.id
Definition

The logical id of the resource, as used in the URL for the resource. Once assigned, this value never changes.

Control0..1
Typestring
Comments

The only time that a resource does not have an id is when it is being submitted to the server using a create operation.

3. MessageHeader.meta
Definition

The metadata about the resource. This is content that is maintained by the infrastructure. Changes to the content might not always be associated with version changes to the resource.

Control0..1
TypeMeta
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
4. MessageHeader.implicitRules
Definition

A reference to a set of rules that were followed when the resource was constructed, and which must be understood when processing the content. Often, this is a reference to an implementation guide that defines the special rules along with other profiles etc.

Control0..1
Typeuri
Is Modifiertrue
Comments

Asserting this rule set restricts the content to be only understood by a limited set of trading partners. This inherently limits the usefulness of the data in the long term. However, the existing health eco-system is highly fractured, and not yet ready to define, collect, and exchange data in a generally computable sense. Wherever possible, implementers and/or specification writers should avoid using this element. Often, when used, the URL is a reference to an implementation guide that defines these special rules as part of it's narrative along with other profiles, value sets, etc.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
5. MessageHeader.language
Definition

The base language in which the resource is written.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from CommonLanguages
Max Binding: AllLanguages A human language.

Typecode
Comments

Language is provided to support indexing and accessibility (typically, services such as text to speech use the language tag). The html language tag in the narrative applies to the narrative. The language tag on the resource may be used to specify the language of other presentations generated from the data in the resource. Not all the content has to be in the base language. The Resource.language should not be assumed to apply to the narrative automatically. If a language is specified, it should it also be specified on the div element in the html (see rules in HTML5 for information about the relationship between xml:lang and the html lang attribute).

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
6. MessageHeader.text
Definition

A human-readable narrative that contains a summary of the resource and can be used to represent the content of the resource to a human. The narrative need not encode all the structured data, but is required to contain sufficient detail to make it "clinically safe" for a human to just read the narrative. Resource definitions may define what content should be represented in the narrative to ensure clinical safety.

Control0..1
TypeNarrative
Alternate Namesnarrative, html, xhtml, display
Comments

Contained resources do not have narrative. Resources that are not contained SHOULD have a narrative. In some cases, a resource may only have text with little or no additional discrete data (as long as all minOccurs=1 elements are satisfied). This may be necessary for data from legacy systems where information is captured as a "text blob" or where text is additionally entered raw or narrated and encoded information is added later.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
7. MessageHeader.contained
Definition

These resources do not have an independent existence apart from the resource that contains them - they cannot be identified independently, and nor can they have their own independent transaction scope.

Control0..*
TypeResource
Alternate Namesinline resources, anonymous resources, contained resources
Comments

This should never be done when the content can be identified properly, as once identification is lost, it is extremely difficult (and context dependent) to restore it again. Contained resources may have profiles and tags In their meta elements, but SHALL NOT have security labels.

8. MessageHeader.extension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the resource. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
9. MessageHeader.modifierExtension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the resource and that modifies the understanding of the element that contains it and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer is allowed to define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.

Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifiertrue
Requirements

Modifier extensions allow for extensions that cannot be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored. This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the definition of modifier extensions.

Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
10. MessageHeader.event[x]
Definition

Code that identifies the event this message represents and connects it with its definition. Events defined as part of the FHIR specification have the system value "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/message-events". Alternatively uri to the EventDefinition.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from eCR MessageHeader Event Value Set; other codes may be used where these codes are not suitable
TypeCoding
[x] NoteSee Choice of Data Types for further information about how to use [x]
Must Supporttrue
Requirements

Drives the behavior associated with this message.

Comments

The time of the event will be found in the focus resource. The time of the message will be found in Bundle.timestamp.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
11. MessageHeader.destination
Definition

The destination application which the message is intended for.

Control1..1
TypeBackboneElement
Must Supporttrue
Requirements

Indicates where message is to be sent for routing purposes. Allows verification of "am I the intended recipient".

Comments

There SHOULD be at least one destination, but in some circumstances, the source system is unaware of any particular destination system.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
12. MessageHeader.destination.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

Control0..1
Typestring
13. MessageHeader.destination.extension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
14. MessageHeader.destination.modifierExtension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.

Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifiertrue
Requirements

Modifier extensions allow for extensions that cannot be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored. This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the definition of modifier extensions.

Alternate Namesextensions, user content, modifiers
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
15. MessageHeader.destination.name
Definition

Human-readable name for the target system.

Control0..1
Typestring
Requirements

May be used for routing of response and/or to support audit.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
16. MessageHeader.destination.target
Definition

Identifies the target end system in situations where the initial message transmission is to an intermediary system.

Control0..1
TypeReference(Device)
Requirements

Supports multi-hop routing.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
17. MessageHeader.destination.endpoint
Definition

Indicates where the message should be routed to.

Control1..1
Typeurl
Requirements

Identifies where to route the message.

Comments

The id may be a non-resolvable URI for systems that do not use standard network-based addresses.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
18. MessageHeader.destination.receiver
Definition

Allows data conveyed by a message to be addressed to a particular person or department when routing to a specific application isn't sufficient.

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization)
Requirements

Allows routing beyond just the application level.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
19. MessageHeader.sender
Definition

Identifies the sending system to allow the use of a trust relationship.

Control1..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization)
Must Supporttrue
Must Support TypesNo must-support rules about the choice of types/profiles
Requirements

Allows routing beyond just the application level.

Comments

Use case is for where a (trusted) sending system is responsible for multiple organizations, and therefore cannot differentiate based on source endpoint / authentication alone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
20. MessageHeader.enterer
Definition

The person or device that performed the data entry leading to this message. When there is more than one candidate, pick the most proximal to the message. Can provide other enterers in extensions.

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole)
Requirements

Need to know for audit/traceback requirements and possibly for authorization.

Comments

Usually only for the request but can be used in a response.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
21. MessageHeader.author
Definition

The logical author of the message - the person or device that decided the described event should happen. When there is more than one candidate, pick the most proximal to the MessageHeader. Can provide other authors in extensions.

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole)
Requirements

Need to know for audit/traceback requirements and possibly for authorization.

Comments

Usually only for the request but can be used in a response.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
22. MessageHeader.source
Definition

The source application from which this message originated.

Control1..1
TypeBackboneElement
Requirements

Allows replies, supports audit.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
23. MessageHeader.source.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

Control0..1
Typestring
24. MessageHeader.source.extension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
25. MessageHeader.source.modifierExtension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.

Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifiertrue
Requirements

Modifier extensions allow for extensions that cannot be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored. This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the definition of modifier extensions.

Alternate Namesextensions, user content, modifiers
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
26. MessageHeader.source.name
Definition

Human-readable name for the source system.

Control0..1
Typestring
Must Supporttrue
Requirements

May be used to support audit.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
27. MessageHeader.source.software
Definition

May include configuration or other information useful in debugging.

Control0..1
Typestring
Requirements

Supports audit and possibly interface engine behavior.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
28. MessageHeader.source.version
Definition

Can convey versions of multiple systems in situations where a message passes through multiple hands.

NoteThis is a business versionId, not a resource version id (see discussion)
Control0..1
Typestring
Requirements

Supports audit and possibly interface engine behavior.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
29. MessageHeader.source.contact
Definition

An e-mail, phone, website or other contact point to use to resolve issues with message communications.

Control0..1
TypeContactPoint
Must Supporttrue
Requirements

Allows escalation of technical issues.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
30. MessageHeader.source.endpoint
Definition

Identifies the routing target to send acknowledgements to.

Control1..1
Typeurl
Requirements

Identifies where to send responses, may influence security permissions.

Comments

The id may be a non-resolvable URI for systems that do not use standard network-based addresses.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
31. MessageHeader.responsible
Definition

The person or organization that accepts overall responsibility for the contents of the message. The implication is that the message event happened under the policies of the responsible party.

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization)
Requirements

Need to know for audit/traceback requirements and possibly for authorization.

Comments

Usually only for the request but can be used in a response.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
32. MessageHeader.reason
Definition

Coded indication of the cause for the event - indicates a reason for the occurrence of the event that is a focus of this message.

Control0..1
BindingFor example codes, see ExampleMessageReasonCodes Reason for event occurrence.

TypeCodeableConcept
Requirements

Need to be able to track why resources are being changed and report in the audit log/history of the resource. May affect authorization.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
33. MessageHeader.response
Definition

Information about the message that this message is a response to. Only present if this message is a response.

Control0..1
TypeBackboneElement
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
34. MessageHeader.response.id
Definition

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

Control0..1
Typestring
35. MessageHeader.response.extension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Alternate Namesextensions, user content
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
36. MessageHeader.response.modifierExtension
Definition

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element and that modifies the understanding of the element in which it is contained and/or the understanding of the containing element's descendants. Usually modifier elements provide negation or qualification. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension. Applications processing a resource are required to check for modifier extensions.

Modifier extensions SHALL NOT change the meaning of any elements on Resource or DomainResource (including cannot change the meaning of modifierExtension itself).

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Is Modifiertrue
Requirements

Modifier extensions allow for extensions that cannot be safely ignored to be clearly distinguished from the vast majority of extensions which can be safely ignored. This promotes interoperability by eliminating the need for implementers to prohibit the presence of extensions. For further information, see the definition of modifier extensions.

Alternate Namesextensions, user content, modifiers
Comments

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (: extension.exists() != value.exists())
37. MessageHeader.response.identifier
Definition

The MessageHeader.id of the message to which this message is a response.

NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Control1..1
Typeid
Requirements

Allows receiver to know what message is being responded to.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
38. MessageHeader.response.code
Definition

Code that identifies the type of response to the message - whether it was successful or not, and whether it should be resent or not.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from ResponseType The kind of response to a message.

Typecode
Requirements

Allows the sender of the acknowledge message to know if the request was successful or if action is needed.

Comments

This is a generic response to the request message. Specific data for the response will be found in MessageHeader.focus.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
39. MessageHeader.response.details
Definition

Full details of any issues found in the message.

Control0..1
TypeReference(OperationOutcome)
Requirements

Allows the sender of the message to determine what the specific issues are.

Comments

This SHALL be contained in the bundle. If any of the issues are errors, the response code SHALL be an error.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
40. MessageHeader.focus
Definition

The actual data of the message - a reference to the root/focus class of the event.

Control1..1
TypeReference(Ecr_Task)
Must Supporttrue
Requirements

Every message event is about actual data, a single resource, that is identified in the definition of the event, and perhaps some or all linked resources.

Comments

The data is defined where the transaction type is defined. The transaction data is always included in the bundle that is the full message. Only the root resource is specified. The resources it references should be contained in the bundle but are not also listed here. Multiple repetitions are allowed to cater for merges and other situations with multiple focal targets.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
41. MessageHeader.definition
Definition

Permanent link to the MessageDefinition for this message.

Control0..1
Typecanonical(MessageDefinition)
Requirements

Allows sender to define the expected contents of the message.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))