Real Time Location Services Implementation Guide
1.0.0-ballot - CI Build International flag

This page is part of the Real Time Location Services Implementation Guide (v1.0.0-ballot: STU 1.0 Ballot 1) based on FHIR v5.0.0. . For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: RTLSLocation - Detailed Descriptions

Page standards status: Informative

Definitions for the rtlsLocation resource profile.

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

1. Location
2. Location.identifier
NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Control10..*
Must Supporttrue

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

1. Location
Definition

Details and position information for a place where services are provided and resources and participants may be stored, found, contained, or accommodated.

Control0..*
Summaryfalse
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().ofType(canonical) | %resource.descendants().ofType(uri) | %resource.descendants().ofType(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(ofType(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(ofType(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. Location.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
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 its 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. Location.contained
Definition

These resources do not have an independent existence apart from the resource that contains them - they cannot be identified independently, nor can they have their own independent transaction scope. This is allowed to be a Parameters resource if and only if it is referenced by a resource that provides context/meaning.

Control0..* This element is affected by the following invariants: dom-2, dom-4, dom-3, dom-5
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.

4. Location.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 managable, 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
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
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())
5. Location.identifier
Definition

Unique code or number identifying the location to its users.

NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Control10..*
TypeIdentifier
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Organization label locations in registries, need to keep track of those.

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

The status property covers the general availability of the resource, not the current value which may be covered by the operationStatus, or by a schedule/slots if they are configured for the location.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from LocationStatus

Indicates whether the location is still in use.

Typecode
Is Modifiertrue
Summarytrue
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. Location
Definition

Details and position information for a place where services are provided and resources and participants may be stored, found, contained, or accommodated.

Control0..*
Summaryfalse
2. Location.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

Within the context of the FHIR RESTful interactions, the resource has an id except for cases like the create and conditional update. Otherwise, the use of the resouce id depends on the given use case.

3. Location.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. Location.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
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 its 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. Location.language
Definition

The base language in which the resource is written.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from AllLanguages IETF language tag for a human languag
Typecode
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. Location.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 This element is affected by the following invariants: dom-6
TypeNarrative
Summaryfalse
Alternate Namesnarrative, html, xhtml, display
Comments

Contained resources do not have a 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. Location.contained
Definition

These resources do not have an independent existence apart from the resource that contains them - they cannot be identified independently, nor can they have their own independent transaction scope. This is allowed to be a Parameters resource if and only if it is referenced by a resource that provides context/meaning.

Control0..* This element is affected by the following invariants: dom-2, dom-4, dom-3, dom-5
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. Location.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 managable, 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())
9. Location.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 managable, 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
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
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. Location.identifier
Definition

Unique code or number identifying the location to its users.

NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Control1..*
TypeIdentifier
Must Supporttrue
Summarytrue
Requirements

Organization label locations in registries, need to keep track of those.

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

The status property covers the general availability of the resource, not the current value which may be covered by the operationStatus, or by a schedule/slots if they are configured for the location.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from LocationStatus Indicates whether the location is still in use
Typecode
Is Modifiertrue
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
12. Location.operationalStatus
Definition

The operational status covers operation values most relevant to beds (but can also apply to rooms/units/chairs/etc. such as an isolation unit/dialysis chair). This typically covers concepts such as contamination, housekeeping, and other activities like maintenance.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHOULD be taken from hl7VS-bedStatus The operational status if the location (where typically a bed/room)
TypeCoding
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
13. Location.name
Definition

Name of the location as used by humans. Does not need to be unique.

Control0..1
Typestring
Summarytrue
Comments

If the name of a location changes, consider putting the old name in the alias column so that it can still be located through searches.

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

A list of alternate names that the location is known as, or was known as, in the past.

Control0..*
Typestring
Summaryfalse
Requirements

Over time locations and organizations go through many changes and can be known by different names.

For searching knowing previous names that the location was known by can be very useful.

Comments

There are no dates associated with the alias/historic names, as this is not intended to track when names were used, but to assist in searching so that older names can still result in identifying the location.

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

Description of the Location, which helps in finding or referencing the place.

Control0..1
Typemarkdown
Summarytrue
Requirements

Humans need additional information to verify a correct location has been identified.

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

Indicates whether a resource instance represents a specific location or a class of locations.

Control0..1
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from LocationMode Indicates whether a resource instance represents a specific location or a class of locations
Typecode
Summarytrue
Requirements

When using a Location resource for scheduling or orders, we need to be able to refer to a class of Locations instead of a specific Location.

Comments

This is labeled as a modifier because whether or not the location is a class of locations changes how it can be used and understood.

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

Indicates the type of function performed at the location.

Control0..*
BindingThe codes SHALL be taken from ServiceDeliveryLocationRoleType; other codes may be used where these codes are not suitable Indicates the type of function performed at the location
TypeCodeableConcept
Summarytrue
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
18. Location.contact
Definition

The contact details of communication devices available at the location. This can include addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, mobile numbers, email addresses and web sites.

Control0..*
TypeExtendedContactDetail
Summaryfalse
Requirements

Need to keep track of both simple contact details and also assigned contacts within larger organizations.

Comments

The address/telecom use code 'home' are not to be used. Note that these contacts are not the contact details of people who provide the service (that would be through PractitionerRole), these are official contacts for the Healthcare itself for specific purposes. E.g. Mailing Addresses, Billing Addresses, Contact numbers for Booking or Billing Enquiries, general web address, web address for online bookings etc.

If this is empty (or the type of interest is empty), refer to the organization's contacts.

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

Physical location.

Control0..1
TypeAddress
Summaryfalse
Requirements

If locations can be visited, we need to keep track of their address.

Comments

Additional addresses should be recorded using another instance of the Location resource, or via the Organization.

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

Physical form of the location, e.g. building, room, vehicle, road, virtual.

Control0..1
BindingFor example codes, see LocationForm Physical form of the location
TypeCodeableConcept
Summarytrue
Requirements

For purposes of showing relevant locations in queries, we need to categorize locations.

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

The absolute geographic location of the Location, expressed using the WGS84 datum (This is the same co-ordinate system used in KML).

Control0..1
TypeBackboneElement
Summaryfalse
Requirements

For mobile applications and automated route-finding knowing the exact location of the Location is required.

Comments

To define a boundary shape for this location use the standard extension [http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/location-boundary-geojson](http://hl7.org/fhir/extensions/StructureDefinition-location-boundary-geojson.html), and search using the contains special search parameter.

InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
22. Location.position.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 This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
Typestring
XML RepresentationIn the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summaryfalse
23. Location.position.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 managable, 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())
24. Location.position.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 managable, 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())
25. Location.position.longitude
Definition

Longitude. The value domain and the interpretation are the same as for the text of the longitude element in KML (see notes on Location main page).

Control1..1
Typedecimal
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
26. Location.position.latitude
Definition

Latitude. The value domain and the interpretation are the same as for the text of the latitude element in KML (see notes on Location main page).

Control1..1
Typedecimal
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
27. Location.position.altitude
Definition

Altitude. The value domain and the interpretation are the same as for the text of the altitude element in KML (see notes on Location main page).

Control0..1
Typedecimal
Summaryfalse
InvariantsDefined on this element
ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (: hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
28. Location.managingOrganization
Definition

The organization responsible for the provisioning and upkeep of the location.

Control0..1
TypeReference(Organization)
Summarytrue
Requirements

Need to know who manages the location.

Comments

This can also be used as the part of the organization hierarchy where this location provides services. These services can be defined through the HealthcareService resource.

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

Another Location of which this Location is physically a part of.

Control0..1
TypeReference(Location)
Summaryfalse
Requirements

For purposes of location, display and identification, knowing which locations are located within other locations is important.

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

Collection of characteristics (attributes).

Control0..*
BindingFor example codes, see LocationCharacteristic A custom attribute that could be provided at a service (e.g. Wheelchair accessibiliy)
TypeCodeableConcept
Summaryfalse
Comments

These could be such things as is wheelchair accessible.

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

What days/times during a week is this location usually open, and any exceptions where the location is not available.

Control0..*
TypeAvailability
Summaryfalse
Comments

This type of information is commonly found published in directories and on websites informing customers when the facility is available.

Specific services within the location may have their own hours which could be shorter (or longer) than the locations hours.

Systems may choose to render availability differently than it is exchanged on the interface. For example, rather than "Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri from 9am-12am; Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri from 1pm-5pm" as would be implied by two availableTime repetitions, an application could render this information as "Mon-Fri 9-12am and 1-5pm".

The availableStartTime is the opening time, and the availableEndTime is the closing time.

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

Connection details of a virtual service (e.g. shared conference call facility with dedicated number/details).

Control0..*
TypeVirtualServiceDetail
Summaryfalse
Comments

There are two types of virtual meetings that often exist:

  • a persistent, virtual meeting room that can only be used for a single purpose at a time,
  • and a dynamic virtual meeting room that is generated on demand for a specific purpose.

Implementers may consider using Appointment.virtualService for virtual meeting rooms that are generated on-demand.

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

Technical endpoints providing access to services operated for the location.

Control0..*
TypeReference(Endpoint)
Summaryfalse
Requirements

Organizations may have different systems at different locations that provide various services and need to be able to define the technical connection details for how to connect to them, and for what purpose.

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