FHIR Release 3 (STU)

This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v3.0.2: STU 3). The current version which supercedes this version is 5.0.0. For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions . Page versions: R5 R4B R4 R3 R2

Infrastructure And Messaging Work GroupMaturity Level: 3 Trial UseCompartments: Device, Practitioner

Detailed Descriptions for the elements in the MessageHeader resource.

MessageHeader
Definition

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

Control1..1
Requirements

Many implementations are not prepared to use REST and need a messaging based infrastructure.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.event
Definition

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

Control1..1
Terminology Bindingthe Event List in the messaging framework
TypeCoding
Requirements

Drives the behavior associated with this message.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.destination
Definition

The destination application which the message is intended for.

Control0..*
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.destination.name
Definition

Human-readable name for the target system.

Control0..1
Typestring
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.destination.target
Definition

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

Control0..1
TypeReference(Device)
Requirements

Supports multi-hop routing.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.destination.endpoint
Definition

Indicates where the message should be routed to.

Control1..1
Typeuri
Requirements

Identifies where to route the message.

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.receiver
Definition

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

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | Organization)
Requirements

Allows routing beyond just the application level.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.sender
Definition

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

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | Organization)
Requirements

Allows routing beyond just the application level.

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.timestamp
Definition

The time that the message was sent.

Control1..1
Typeinstant
Requirements

Allows limited detection of out-of-order and delayed transmission. Also supports audit.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.enterer
Definition

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

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner)
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.author
Definition

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

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner)
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.source
Definition

The source application from which this message originated.

Control1..1
Requirements

Allows replies, supports audit.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.source.name
Definition

Human-readable name for the source system.

Control0..1
Typestring
Requirements

May be used to support audit.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.source.software
Definition

May include configuration or other information useful in debugging.

Control0..1
Typestring
Requirements

Supports audit and possibly interface engine behavior.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.source.version
Definition

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

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

Supports audit and possibly interface engine behavior.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.source.contact
Definition

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

Control0..1
TypeContactPoint
Requirements

Allows escalation of technical issues.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.source.endpoint
Definition

Identifies the routing target to send acknowledgements to.

Control1..1
Typeuri
Requirements

Identifies where to send responses, may influence security permissions.

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.responsible
Definition

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

Control0..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | Organization)
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.reason
Definition

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

Control0..1
Terminology BindingExample Message Reason Codes (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.response
Definition

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

Control0..1
Summarytrue
MessageHeader.response.identifier
Definition

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

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

Allows receiver to know what message is being responded to.

Summarytrue
MessageHeader.response.code
Definition

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

Control1..1
Terminology BindingResponseType (Required)
Typecode
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.response.details
Definition

Full details of any issues found in the message.

Control0..1
TypeReference(OperationOutcome)
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
Comments

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

MessageHeader.focus
Definition

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

Control0..*
TypeReference(Any)
Requirements

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

Summarytrue
Comments

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