Canonical Resource Management Infrastructure Implementation Guide
1.0.0-ballot - Ballot International flag

This page is part of the Canonical Resource Management Infrastructure Implementation Guide (v1.0.0-ballot: STU1 Ballot 1) based on FHIR R4. . For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: CRMIShareableStructureDefinition - Detailed Descriptions

Page standards status: Trial-use Maturity Level: 3

Definitions for the crmi-shareablestructuredefinition resource profile.

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be found here.

1. StructureDefinition
Control10..1*
2. StructureDefinition.extension:knowledgeCapability
SliceNameknowledgeCapability
Control0..*
TypeExtension(KnowledgeCapability) (Extension Type: code)
Must Supporttrue
3. StructureDefinition.extension:knowledgeRepresentationLevel
SliceNameknowledgeRepresentationLevel
Control0..*
TypeExtension(KnowledgeRepresentationLevel) (Extension Type: code)
Must Supporttrue
4. StructureDefinition.extension:artifactComment
SliceNameartifactComment
Control0..*
TypeExtension(ArtifactComment) (Complex Extension)
Must Supporttrue
5. StructureDefinition.extension:versionAlgorithm
SliceNameversionAlgorithm
Control0..1
TypeExtension(ArtifactVersionAlgorithm) (Extension Type: Choice of: string, Coding)
Must Supporttrue
6. StructureDefinition.extension:versionPolicy
SliceNameversionPolicy
Control0..1
TypeExtension(ArtifactVersionPolicy) (Extension Type: Coding)
Must Supporttrue
7. StructureDefinition.url
Must Supporttrue
8. StructureDefinition.version
NoteThis is a business versionId, not a resource version id (see discussion)
Control10..1
Must Supporttrue
9. StructureDefinition.name
Must Supporttrue
10. StructureDefinition.title
Control10..1
Must Supporttrue
11. StructureDefinition.status
Must Supporttrue
12. StructureDefinition.experimental
Control10..1
Must Supporttrue
13. StructureDefinition.publisher
Must Supporttrue
14. StructureDefinition.description
Control10..1
Must Supporttrue

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be found here.

1. StructureDefinition
Definition

A definition of a FHIR structure. This resource is used to describe the underlying resources, data types defined in FHIR, and also for describing extensions and constraints on resources and data types.

Control10..1*
Summaryfalse
Alternate NamesTemplate, Profile
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())
sdf-0: Name should be usable as an identifier for the module by machine processing applications such as code generation (: name.matches('[A-Z]([A-Za-z0-9_]){0,254}'))
sdf-1: Element paths must be unique unless the structure is a constraint (: derivation = 'constraint' or snapshot.element.select(path).isDistinct())
sdf-15a: If the first element in a differential has no "." in the path and it's not a logical model, it has no type (: (kind!='logical' and differential.element.first().path.contains('.').not()) implies differential.element.first().type.empty())
sdf-4: If the structure is not abstract, then there SHALL be a baseDefinition (: abstract = true or baseDefinition.exists())
sdf-5: If the structure defines an extension then the structure must have context information (: type != 'Extension' or derivation = 'specialization' or (context.exists()))
sdf-6: A structure must have either a differential, or a snapshot (or both) (: snapshot.exists() or differential.exists())
sdf-9: In any snapshot or differential, no label, code or requirements on an element without a "." in the path (e.g. the first element) (: children().element.where(path.contains('.').not()).label.empty() and children().element.where(path.contains('.').not()).code.empty() and children().element.where(path.contains('.').not()).requirements.empty())
sdf-11: If there's a type, its content must match the path name in the first element of a snapshot (: kind != 'logical' implies snapshot.empty() or snapshot.element.first().path = type)
sdf-14: All element definitions must have an id (: snapshot.element.all(id.exists()) and differential.element.all(id.exists()))
sdf-15: The first element in a snapshot has no type unless model is a logical model. (: kind!='logical' implies snapshot.element.first().type.empty())
sdf-16: All element definitions must have unique ids (snapshot) (: snapshot.element.all(id.exists()) and snapshot.element.id.trace('ids').isDistinct())
sdf-17: All element definitions must have unique ids (diff) (: differential.element.all(id.exists()) and differential.element.id.trace('ids').isDistinct())
sdf-18: Context Invariants can only be used for extensions (: contextInvariant.exists() implies type = 'Extension')
sdf-19: FHIR Specification models only use FHIR defined types (: url.startsWith('http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition') implies (differential.element.type.code.all(matches('^[a-zA-Z0-9]+$') or matches('^http:\\/\\/hl7\\.org\\/fhirpath\\/System\\.[A-Z][A-Za-z]+$')) and snapshot.element.type.code.all(matches('^[a-zA-Z0-9\\.]+$') or matches('^http:\\/\\/hl7\\.org\\/fhirpath\\/System\\.[A-Z][A-Za-z]+$'))))
sdf-21: Default values can only be specified on specializations (: differential.element.defaultValue.exists() implies (derivation = 'specialization'))
sdf-22: FHIR Specification models never have default values (: url.startsWith('http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition') implies (snapshot.element.defaultValue.empty() and differential.element.defaultValue.empty()))
sdf-23: No slice name on root (: (snapshot | differential).element.all(path.contains('.').not() implies sliceName.empty()))
2. StructureDefinition.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
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
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()))
3. StructureDefinition.extension:knowledgeCapability
SliceNameknowledgeCapability
Definition

Defines a knowledge capability afforded by this knowledge artifact.

Control0..*
TypeExtension(KnowledgeCapability) (Extension Type: code)
Must Supporttrue
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())
4. StructureDefinition.extension:knowledgeRepresentationLevel
SliceNameknowledgeRepresentationLevel
Definition

Defines a knowledge representation level provided by this knowledge artifact.

Control0..*
TypeExtension(KnowledgeRepresentationLevel) (Extension Type: code)
Must Supporttrue
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())
5. StructureDefinition.extension:artifactComment
SliceNameartifactComment
Definition

A comment containing additional documentation, a review comment, usage guidance, or other relevant information from a particular user.

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.

Control This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
TypeExtension(ArtifactComment) (Complex Extension)
Must Supporttrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: (: )
ext-1: (: )
6. StructureDefinition.extension:versionAlgorithm
SliceNameversionAlgorithm
Definition

Indicates the mechanism used to compare versions to determine which is more current.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
TypeExtension(ArtifactVersionAlgorithm) (Extension Type: Choice of: string, Coding)
Must Supporttrue
Comments

If set as a string, this is a FHIRPath expression that has two additional context variables passed in - %version1 and %version2 and will return a negative number if version1 is newer, a positive number if version2 and a 0 if the version ordering can't be successfully be determined.

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())
7. StructureDefinition.extension:versionPolicy
SliceNameversionPolicy
Definition

Defines the versioning policy of the artifact.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
TypeExtension(ArtifactVersionPolicy) (Extension Type: Coding)
Must Supporttrue
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())
8. StructureDefinition.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
Summaryfalse
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())
9. StructureDefinition.url
Definition

An absolute URI that is used to identify this structure definition when it is referenced in a specification, model, design or an instance; also called its canonical identifier. This SHOULD be globally unique and SHOULD be a literal address at which at which an authoritative instance of this structure definition is (or will be) published. This URL can be the target of a canonical reference. It SHALL remain the same when the structure definition is stored on different servers.

Control1..1
Typeuri
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows the structure definition to be referenced by a single globally unique identifier.

Alternate Namesurl, authoritative-url, destination, identity
Comments

Can be a urn:uuid: or a urn:oid: but real http: addresses are preferred. Multiple instances may share the same URL if they have a distinct version.

The determination of when to create a new version of a resource (same url, new version) vs. defining a new artifact is up to the author. Considerations for making this decision are found in Technical and Business Versions.

In some cases, the resource can no longer be found at the stated url, but the url itself cannot change. Implementations can use the meta.source element to indicate where the current master source of the resource can be found.

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

The identifier that is used to identify this version of the structure definition when it is referenced in a specification, model, design or instance. This is an arbitrary value managed by the structure definition author and is not expected to be globally unique. For example, it might be a timestamp (e.g. yyyymmdd) if a managed version is not available. There is also no expectation that versions can be placed in a lexicographical sequence.

NoteThis is a business versionId, not a resource version id (see discussion)
Control10..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Comments

There may be different structure definition instances that have the same identifier but different versions. The version can be appended to the url in a reference to allow a reference to a particular business version of the structure definition with the format [url]|[version].

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

A natural language name identifying the structure definition. This name should be usable as an identifier for the module by machine processing applications such as code generation.

Control1..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: inv-0
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Support human navigation and code generation.

Comments

The name is not expected to be globally unique. The name should be a simple alphanumeric type name to ensure that it is machine-processing friendly.Some Examples:

  • O2SatObservation
  • PresentationReport
  • Immunization2
  • AcmeAdmissionRecordOld.
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
12. StructureDefinition.title
Definition

A short, descriptive, user-friendly title for the structure definition.

Control10..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Comments

This name does not need to be machine-processing friendly and may contain punctuation, white-space, etc.Applications don't have to use this name but can always fall back to it. The title also corresponds to the label for the root element.

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

The status of this structure definition. Enables tracking the life-cycle of the content.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from PublicationStatus

The lifecycle status of an artifact.

Typecode
Is Modifiertrue
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Comments

Allows filtering of structure definitions that are appropriate for use versus not.

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

A Boolean value to indicate that this structure definition is authored for testing purposes (or education/evaluation/marketing) and is not intended to be used for genuine usage.

Control10..1
Typeboolean
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Enables experimental content to be developed following the same lifecycle that would be used for a production-level structure definition.

Comments

Allows filtering of structure definitions that are appropriate for use versus not.

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

The name of the organization or individual that published the structure definition.

Control0..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Helps establish the "authority/credibility" of the structure definition. May also allow for contact.

Comments

Usually an organization but may be an individual. The publisher (or steward) of the structure definition is the organization or individual primarily responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the structure definition. This is not necessarily the same individual or organization that developed and initially authored the content. The publisher is the primary point of contact for questions or issues with the structure definition. This item SHOULD be populated unless the information is available from context.

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

A free text natural language description of the structure definition from a consumer's perspective.

Control10..1
Typemarkdown
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summaryfalse
Comments

This description can be used to capture details such as why the structure definition was built, comments about misuse, instructions for clinical use and interpretation, literature references, examples from the paper world, etc. It is not a rendering of the structure definition as conveyed in the 'text' field of the resource itself. This item SHOULD be populated unless the information is available from context (e.g. the language of the structure definition is presumed to be the predominant language in the place the structure definition was created).

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

Defines the kind of structure that this definition is describing.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from StructureDefinitionKind

Defines the type of structure that a definition is describing.

Typecode
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
18. StructureDefinition.abstract
Definition

Whether structure this definition describes is abstract or not - that is, whether the structure is not intended to be instantiated. For Resources and Data types, abstract types will never be exchanged between systems.

Control1..1
Typeboolean
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

Abstract Resources cannot be instantiated - a concrete sub-type must be used. Abstract datatypes and extensions cannot be used in an instance. For logical models, the exact implication of "abstract" will rest with the author, depending how the logical model is used. Flagging a constraint structure as abstract conveys design intent but makes no difference to how the structure definition is handled. Note that inline declared elements that are given the type "Element" in the StructureDefinition, but have children described, are anonymous concrete types that specialize Element.

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

The type this structure describes. If the derivation kind is 'specialization' then this is the master definition for a type, and there is always one of these (a data type, an extension, a resource, including abstract ones). Otherwise the structure definition is a constraint on the stated type (and in this case, the type cannot be an abstract type). References are URLs that are relative to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition e.g. "string" is a reference to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/string. Absolute URLs are only allowed in logical models.

Control1..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-11
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from FHIRDefinedType; other codes may be used where these codes are not suitable

Either a resource or a data type, including logical model types.

Typeuri
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

Note that in the case of constraints, the type could be determined by chasing through the baseDefinition references until a concrete structure (derivation = specialization) is reached, or by looking at the path of the first element in the snapshot - if present - but providing the type directly makes for simpler tooling and indexing.

The type must match the elements defined in the differential and the snapshot. For all FHIR defined types, the path name of the element will start with the type name. For logical models, where the type is a URL, the type name SHOULD start with the tail of the type URL where required.

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

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be found here.

1. StructureDefinition
Definition

A definition of a FHIR structure. This resource is used to describe the underlying resources, data types defined in FHIR, and also for describing extensions and constraints on resources and data types.

Control1..1
Summaryfalse
Alternate NamesTemplate, Profile
2. StructureDefinition.id
Definition

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

Control0..1
Typeid
Summarytrue
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. StructureDefinition.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
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
4. StructureDefinition.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
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
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. StructureDefinition.language
Definition

The base language in which the resource is written.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from CommonLanguages A human language
Additional BindingsPurpose
AllLanguagesMax Binding
Typecode
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
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. StructureDefinition.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
Summaryfalse
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. StructureDefinition.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
Summaryfalse
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. StructureDefinition.extension
Definition

An Extension

Control0..*
TypeExtension
Summaryfalse
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())
SlicingThis element introduces a set of slices on StructureDefinition.extension. The slices are unordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators:
  • value @ url
9. StructureDefinition.extension:knowledgeCapability
SliceNameknowledgeCapability
Definition

Defines a knowledge capability afforded by this knowledge artifact.

Control0..*
TypeExtension(KnowledgeCapability) (Extension Type: code)
Must Supporttrue
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. StructureDefinition.extension:knowledgeRepresentationLevel
SliceNameknowledgeRepresentationLevel
Definition

Defines a knowledge representation level provided by this knowledge artifact.

Control0..*
TypeExtension(KnowledgeRepresentationLevel) (Extension Type: code)
Must Supporttrue
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())
11. StructureDefinition.extension:artifactComment
SliceNameartifactComment
Definition

A comment containing additional documentation, a review comment, usage guidance, or other relevant information from a particular user.

Control0..* This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
TypeExtension(ArtifactComment) (Complex Extension)
Must Supporttrue
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())
12. StructureDefinition.extension:versionAlgorithm
SliceNameversionAlgorithm
Definition

Indicates the mechanism used to compare versions to determine which is more current.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
TypeExtension(ArtifactVersionAlgorithm) (Extension Type: Choice of: string, Coding)
Must Supporttrue
Comments

If set as a string, this is a FHIRPath expression that has two additional context variables passed in - %version1 and %version2 and will return a negative number if version1 is newer, a positive number if version2 and a 0 if the version ordering can't be successfully be determined.

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())
13. StructureDefinition.extension:versionPolicy
SliceNameversionPolicy
Definition

Defines the versioning policy of the artifact.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
TypeExtension(ArtifactVersionPolicy) (Extension Type: Coding)
Must Supporttrue
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. StructureDefinition.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
Summaryfalse
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())
15. StructureDefinition.url
Definition

An absolute URI that is used to identify this structure definition when it is referenced in a specification, model, design or an instance; also called its canonical identifier. This SHOULD be globally unique and SHOULD be a literal address at which at which an authoritative instance of this structure definition is (or will be) published. This URL can be the target of a canonical reference. It SHALL remain the same when the structure definition is stored on different servers.

Control1..1
Typeuri
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows the structure definition to be referenced by a single globally unique identifier.

Alternate Namesurl, authoritative-url, destination, identity
Comments

Can be a urn:uuid: or a urn:oid: but real http: addresses are preferred. Multiple instances may share the same URL if they have a distinct version.

The determination of when to create a new version of a resource (same url, new version) vs. defining a new artifact is up to the author. Considerations for making this decision are found in Technical and Business Versions.

In some cases, the resource can no longer be found at the stated url, but the url itself cannot change. Implementations can use the meta.source element to indicate where the current master source of the resource can be found.

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

A formal identifier that is used to identify this structure definition when it is represented in other formats, or referenced in a specification, model, design or an instance.

NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Control0..*
TypeIdentifier
Summarytrue
Requirements

Allows externally provided and/or usable business identifiers to be easily associated with the module.

Comments

Typically, this is used for identifiers that can go in an HL7 V3 II (instance identifier) data type, and can then identify this structure definition outside of FHIR, where it is not possible to use the logical URI.

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

The identifier that is used to identify this version of the structure definition when it is referenced in a specification, model, design or instance. This is an arbitrary value managed by the structure definition author and is not expected to be globally unique. For example, it might be a timestamp (e.g. yyyymmdd) if a managed version is not available. There is also no expectation that versions can be placed in a lexicographical sequence.

NoteThis is a business versionId, not a resource version id (see discussion)
Control1..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Comments

There may be different structure definition instances that have the same identifier but different versions. The version can be appended to the url in a reference to allow a reference to a particular business version of the structure definition with the format [url]|[version].

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

A natural language name identifying the structure definition. This name should be usable as an identifier for the module by machine processing applications such as code generation.

Control1..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: inv-0
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Support human navigation and code generation.

Comments

The name is not expected to be globally unique. The name should be a simple alphanumeric type name to ensure that it is machine-processing friendly.Some Examples:

  • O2SatObservation
  • PresentationReport
  • Immunization2
  • AcmeAdmissionRecordOld.
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
19. StructureDefinition.title
Definition

A short, descriptive, user-friendly title for the structure definition.

Control1..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Comments

This name does not need to be machine-processing friendly and may contain punctuation, white-space, etc.Applications don't have to use this name but can always fall back to it. The title also corresponds to the label for the root element.

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

The status of this structure definition. Enables tracking the life-cycle of the content.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from PublicationStatus The lifecycle status of an artifact
Typecode
Is Modifiertrue
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Comments

Allows filtering of structure definitions that are appropriate for use versus not.

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

A Boolean value to indicate that this structure definition is authored for testing purposes (or education/evaluation/marketing) and is not intended to be used for genuine usage.

Control1..1
Typeboolean
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Enables experimental content to be developed following the same lifecycle that would be used for a production-level structure definition.

Comments

Allows filtering of structure definitions that are appropriate for use versus not.

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

The date (and optionally time) when the structure definition was published. The date must change when the business version changes and it must change if the status code changes. In addition, it should change when the substantive content of the structure definition changes.

Control0..1
TypedateTime
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Alternate NamesRevision Date
Comments

Note that this is not the same as the resource last-modified-date, since the resource may be a secondary representation of the structure definition. Additional specific dates may be added as extensions or be found by consulting Provenances associated with past versions of the resource.

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

The name of the organization or individual that published the structure definition.

Control0..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Helps establish the "authority/credibility" of the structure definition. May also allow for contact.

Comments

Usually an organization but may be an individual. The publisher (or steward) of the structure definition is the organization or individual primarily responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the structure definition. This is not necessarily the same individual or organization that developed and initially authored the content. The publisher is the primary point of contact for questions or issues with the structure definition. This item SHOULD be populated unless the information is available from context.

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

Contact details to assist a user in finding and communicating with the publisher.

Control0..*
TypeContactDetail
Summarytrue
Comments

May be a web site, an email address, a telephone number, etc.

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

A free text natural language description of the structure definition from a consumer's perspective.

Control1..1
Typemarkdown
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Must Supporttrue
Summaryfalse
Comments

This description can be used to capture details such as why the structure definition was built, comments about misuse, instructions for clinical use and interpretation, literature references, examples from the paper world, etc. It is not a rendering of the structure definition as conveyed in the 'text' field of the resource itself. This item SHOULD be populated unless the information is available from context (e.g. the language of the structure definition is presumed to be the predominant language in the place the structure definition was created).

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

The content was developed with a focus and intent of supporting the contexts that are listed. These contexts may be general categories (gender, age, ...) or may be references to specific programs (insurance plans, studies, ...) and may be used to assist with indexing and searching for appropriate structure definition instances.

Control0..*
TypeUsageContext
Standards StatusTrial Use (from Normative)
Summarytrue
Requirements

Assist in searching for appropriate content.

Comments

When multiple useContexts are specified, there is no expectation that all or any of the contexts apply.

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

A legal or geographic region in which the structure definition is intended to be used.

Control0..*
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from Jurisdiction ValueSet; other codes may be used where these codes are not suitable Countries and regions within which this artifact is targeted for use
TypeCodeableConcept
Summarytrue
Comments

It may be possible for the structure definition to be used in jurisdictions other than those for which it was originally designed or intended.

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

Explanation of why this structure definition is needed and why it has been designed as it has.

Control0..1
Typemarkdown
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
Comments

This element does not describe the usage of the structure definition. Instead, it provides traceability of ''why'' the resource is either needed or ''why'' it is defined as it is. This may be used to point to source materials or specifications that drove the structure of this structure definition.

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

A copyright statement relating to the structure definition and/or its contents. Copyright statements are generally legal restrictions on the use and publishing of the structure definition.

Control0..1
Typemarkdown
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
Requirements

Consumers must be able to determine any legal restrictions on the use of the structure definition and/or its content.

Alternate NamesLicense, Restrictions
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
30. StructureDefinition.keyword
Definition

A set of key words or terms from external terminologies that may be used to assist with indexing and searching of templates nby describing the use of this structure definition, or the content it describes.

Control0..*
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from DefinitionUseCodes; other codes may be used where these codes are not suitable Codes for the meaning of the defined structure (SNOMED CT and LOINC codes, as an example)
TypeCoding
Summarytrue
Requirements

Assist in searching for appropriate StructureDefinitions.

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

The version of the FHIR specification on which this StructureDefinition is based - this is the formal version of the specification, without the revision number, e.g. [publication].[major].[minor], which is 4.0.1. for this version.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from FHIRVersion All published FHIR Versions
Typecode
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

A StructureDefinition does not need to specify the target it applies to as StructureDefinitions will often be valid across multiple versions of FHIR. FHIR tooling can determine whether a StructureDefinition is consistent with a particular StructureDefinition if desired.

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

An external specification that the content is mapped to.

Control0..*
TypeBackboneElement
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
sdf-2: Must have at least a name or a uri (or both) (: name.exists() or uri.exists())
33. StructureDefinition.mapping.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
XML RepresentationIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
34. StructureDefinition.mapping.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
Summaryfalse
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())
35. StructureDefinition.mapping.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
Summarytrue
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())
36. StructureDefinition.mapping.identity
Definition

An Internal id that is used to identify this mapping set when specific mappings are made.

Control1..1
Typeid
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
Comments

The specification is described once, with general comments, and then specific mappings are made that reference this declaration.

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

An absolute URI that identifies the specification that this mapping is expressed to.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-2
Typeuri
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
Comments

A formal identity for the specification being mapped to helps with identifying maps consistently.

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

A name for the specification that is being mapped to.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-2
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
39. StructureDefinition.mapping.comment
Definition

Comments about this mapping, including version notes, issues, scope limitations, and other important notes for usage.

Control0..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
40. StructureDefinition.kind
Definition

Defines the kind of structure that this definition is describing.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from StructureDefinitionKind Defines the type of structure that a definition is describing
Typecode
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
41. StructureDefinition.abstract
Definition

Whether structure this definition describes is abstract or not - that is, whether the structure is not intended to be instantiated. For Resources and Data types, abstract types will never be exchanged between systems.

Control1..1
Typeboolean
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

Abstract Resources cannot be instantiated - a concrete sub-type must be used. Abstract datatypes and extensions cannot be used in an instance. For logical models, the exact implication of "abstract" will rest with the author, depending how the logical model is used. Flagging a constraint structure as abstract conveys design intent but makes no difference to how the structure definition is handled. Note that inline declared elements that are given the type "Element" in the StructureDefinition, but have children described, are anonymous concrete types that specialize Element.

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

Identifies the types of resource or data type elements to which the extension can be applied.

Control0..* This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-5
TypeBackboneElement
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
43. StructureDefinition.context.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
XML RepresentationIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
44. StructureDefinition.context.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
Summaryfalse
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())
45. StructureDefinition.context.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
Summarytrue
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())
46. StructureDefinition.context.type
Definition

Defines how to interpret the expression that defines what the context of the extension is.

Control1..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from ExtensionContextType How an extension context is interpreted
Typecode
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
47. StructureDefinition.context.expression
Definition

An expression that defines where an extension can be used in resources.

Control1..1
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
48. StructureDefinition.contextInvariant
Definition

A set of rules as FHIRPath Invariants about when the extension can be used (e.g. co-occurrence variants for the extension). All the rules must be true.

Control0..* This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-18
Typestring
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

The rules are only evaluated when the extension is present. When evaluating the invariant, the FHIRPath focus is the element that holds the extension, and %extension refers to the extension itself.

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

The type this structure describes. If the derivation kind is 'specialization' then this is the master definition for a type, and there is always one of these (a data type, an extension, a resource, including abstract ones). Otherwise the structure definition is a constraint on the stated type (and in this case, the type cannot be an abstract type). References are URLs that are relative to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition e.g. "string" is a reference to http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/string. Absolute URLs are only allowed in logical models.

Control1..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-11
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from FHIRDefinedType; other codes may be used where these codes are not suitable Either a resource or a data type, including logical model types
Typeuri
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

Note that in the case of constraints, the type could be determined by chasing through the baseDefinition references until a concrete structure (derivation = specialization) is reached, or by looking at the path of the first element in the snapshot - if present - but providing the type directly makes for simpler tooling and indexing.

The type must match the elements defined in the differential and the snapshot. For all FHIR defined types, the path name of the element will start with the type name. For logical models, where the type is a URL, the type name SHOULD start with the tail of the type URL where required.

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

An absolute URI that is the base structure from which this type is derived, either by specialization or constraint.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-4
Typecanonical(StructureDefinition)
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

If differential constraints are specified in this structure, they are applied to the base in a "differential" fashion. If there is no base, then the differential constraints cannot be provided (snapshot only). Differential structures are useful for the editing perspective, and snapshot structures are suitable for operational use. The FHIR Project provides a number of tools/services to populate snapshots from differential constraints. Logical Models have a base of "Element" or another logical model.

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

How the type relates to the baseDefinition.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from TypeDerivationRule How a type relates to its baseDefinition
Typecode
Primitive ValueThis primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summarytrue
Comments

If the definition is a specialization, then it adds new elements in the differential, and the snapshot includes the inherited elements. If the definition is a constraint, then it cannot define new elements, it can only make new rules about existing content (see Profiling Resources).

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

A snapshot view is expressed in a standalone form that can be used and interpreted without considering the base StructureDefinition.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-6
TypeBackboneElement
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
sdf-3: Each element definition in a snapshot must have a formal definition and cardinalities (: element.all(definition.exists() and min.exists() and max.exists()))
sdf-8: All snapshot elements must start with the StructureDefinition's specified type for non-logical models, or with the same type name for logical models (: (%resource.kind = 'logical' or element.first().path = %resource.type) and element.tail().all(path.startsWith(%resource.snapshot.element.first().path&'.')))
sdf-8b: All snapshot elements must have a base definition (: element.all(base.exists()))
53. StructureDefinition.snapshot.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
XML RepresentationIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
54. StructureDefinition.snapshot.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
Summaryfalse
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())
55. StructureDefinition.snapshot.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
Summarytrue
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())
56. StructureDefinition.snapshot.element
Definition

Captures constraints on each element within the resource.

Control1..* This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-3
TypeElementDefinition
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
sdf-10: provide either a binding reference or a description (or both) (: binding.empty() or binding.valueSet.exists() or binding.description.exists())
57. StructureDefinition.differential
Definition

A differential view is expressed relative to the base StructureDefinition - a statement of differences that it applies.

Control0..1 This element is affected by the following invariants: sdf-6
TypeBackboneElement
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
sdf-20: No slicing on the root element (: element.where(path.contains('.').not()).slicing.empty())
sdf-8a: In any differential, all the elements must start with the StructureDefinition's specified type for non-logical models, or with the same type name for logical models (: (%resource.kind = 'logical' or element.first().path.startsWith(%resource.type)) and (element.tail().empty() or element.tail().all(path.startsWith(%resource.differential.element.first().path.replaceMatches('\\..*','')&'.'))))
58. StructureDefinition.differential.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
XML RepresentationIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
59. StructureDefinition.differential.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
Summaryfalse
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())
60. StructureDefinition.differential.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
Summarytrue
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())
61. StructureDefinition.differential.element
Definition

Captures constraints on each element within the resource.

Control1..*
TypeElementDefinition
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))