Release 5

This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v5.0.0: R5 - STU). This is the current published version. For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions . Page versions: R5 R4B R4 R3 R2

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Detailed Descriptions for the elements in the AllergyIntolerance resource.

AllergyIntolerance
Element IdAllergyIntolerance
Definition

Risk of harmful or undesirable physiological response which is specific to an individual and associated with exposure to a substance.

Short DisplayAllergy or Intolerance (generally: Risk of adverse reaction to a substance)
Cardinality0..*
TypeDomainResource
Requirements

To record a clinical assessment of a propensity, or potential risk to an individual, of an adverse reaction upon future exposure to the specified substance, or class of substance.

Alternate NamesAllergy; Intolerance; Adverse Reaction
Summaryfalse
Comments

Substances include, but are not limited to: a therapeutic substance administered correctly at an appropriate dosage for the individual; food; material derived from plants or animals; or venom from insect stings.

AllergyIntolerance.identifier
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.identifier
Definition

Business identifiers assigned to this AllergyIntolerance by the performer or other systems which remain constant as the resource is updated and propagates from server to server.

Short DisplayExternal ids for this item
NoteThis is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion)
Cardinality0..*
TypeIdentifier
Requirements

Allows identification of the AllergyIntolerance as it is known by various participating systems and in a way that remains consistent across servers.

Summarytrue
Comments

This is a business identifier, not a resource identifier (see discussion). It is best practice for the identifier to only appear on a single resource instance, however business practices may occasionally dictate that multiple resource instances with the same identifier can exist - possibly even with different resource types. For example, multiple Patient and a Person resource instance might share the same social insurance number.

AllergyIntolerance.clinicalStatus
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.clinicalStatus
Definition

The clinical status of the allergy or intolerance.

Short Displayactive | inactive | resolved
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingAllergyIntolerance Clinical Status Codes (Required)
TypeCodeableConcept
Is Modifiertrue (Reason: This element is labeled as a modifier because the status contains the codes inactive and resolved that mark the AllergyIntolerance as no longer active.)
Summarytrue
Comments

AllergyIntolerance.clinicalStatus should be present if verificationStatus is not entered-in-error and the AllergyIntolerance.code isn't negated (No Known Allergy, No Drug Allergy, No Food Allergy, No Latex Allergy). Refer to discussion if clinicalStatus is missing data. The data type is CodeableConcept because clinicalStatus has some clinical judgment involved, such that there might need to be more specificity than the required FHIR value set allows. For example, a SNOMED coding might allow for additional specificity.

AllergyIntolerance.verificationStatus
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.verificationStatus
Definition

Assertion about certainty associated with the propensity, or potential risk, of a reaction to the identified substance (including pharmaceutical product). The verification status pertains to the allergy or intolerance, itself, not to any specific AllergyIntolerance attribute.

Short Displayunconfirmed | presumed | confirmed | refuted | entered-in-error
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingAllergyIntolerance Verification Status (Required)
TypeCodeableConcept
Is Modifiertrue (Reason: This element is labeled as a modifier because the status contains the codes refuted and entered-in-error that mark the AllergyIntolerance as not currently valid.)
Summarytrue
Comments

The data type is CodeableConcept because verificationStatus has some clinical judgment involved, such that there might need to be more specificity than the required FHIR value set allows. For example, a SNOMED coding might allow for additional specificity.

AllergyIntolerance.type
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.type
Definition

Identification of the underlying physiological mechanism for the reaction risk.

Short Displayallergy | intolerance - Underlying mechanism (if known)
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingAllergy Intolerance Type (Preferred)
TypeCodeableConcept
Alternate NamesCategory; Class
Summarytrue
Comments

Allergic (typically immune-mediated) reactions have been traditionally regarded as an indicator for potential escalation to significant future risk. Contemporary knowledge suggests that some reactions previously thought to be immune-mediated are, in fact, non-immune, but in some cases can still pose a life threatening risk. It is acknowledged that many clinicians might not be in a position to distinguish the mechanism of a particular reaction. Often the term "allergy" is used rather generically and may overlap with the use of "intolerance" - in practice the boundaries between these two concepts might not be well-defined or understood. This data element is included nevertheless, because many legacy systems have captured this attribute. Immunologic testing may provide supporting evidence for the basis of the reaction and the causative substance, but no tests are 100% sensitive or specific for sensitivity to a particular substance. If, as is commonly the case, it is unclear whether the reaction is due to an allergy or an intolerance, then the type element should be omitted from the resource.

AllergyIntolerance.category
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.category
Definition

Category of the identified substance.

Short Displayfood | medication | environment | biologic
Cardinality0..*
Terminology BindingAllergy Intolerance Category (Required)
Typecode
Alternate NamesCategory; Type; Reaction Type; Class
Summarytrue
Comments

This data element has been included because it is currently being captured in some clinical systems. This data can be derived from the substance where coding systems are used, and is effectively redundant in that situation. When searching on category, consider the implications of AllergyIntolerance resources without a category. For example, when searching on category = medication, medication allergies that don't have a category valued will not be returned. Refer to search for more information on how to search category with a :missing modifier to get allergies that don't have a category. Additionally, category should be used with caution because category can be subjective based on the sender.

AllergyIntolerance.criticality
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.criticality
Definition

Estimate of the potential clinical harm, or seriousness, of the reaction to the identified substance.

Short Displaylow | high | unable-to-assess
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingAllergy Intolerance Criticality (Required)
Typecode
Alternate NamesSeverity; Seriousness; Contra-indication; Risk
Summarytrue
Comments

The default criticality value for any propensity to an adverse reaction should be 'Low Risk', indicating at the very least a relative contraindication to deliberate or voluntary exposure to the substance. 'High Risk' is flagged if the clinician has identified a propensity for a more serious or potentially life-threatening reaction, such as anaphylaxis, and implies an absolute contraindication to deliberate or voluntary exposure to the substance. If this element is missing, the criticality is unknown (though it may be known elsewhere). Systems that capture a severity at the condition level are actually representing the concept of criticality whereas the severity documented at the reaction level is representing the true reaction severity. Existing systems that are capturing both condition criticality and reaction severity may use the term "severity" to represent both. Criticality is the worst it could be in the future (i.e. situation-agnostic) whereas severity is situation-dependent.

AllergyIntolerance.code
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.code
Definition

Code for an allergy or intolerance statement (either a positive or a negated/excluded statement). This may be a code for a substance or pharmaceutical product that is considered to be responsible for the adverse reaction risk (e.g., "Latex"), an allergy or intolerance condition (e.g., "Latex allergy"), or a negated/excluded code for a specific substance or class (e.g., "No latex allergy") or a general or categorical negated statement (e.g., "No known allergy", "No known drug allergies"). Note: the substance for a specific reaction may be different from the substance identified as the cause of the risk, but it must be consistent with it. For instance, it may be a more specific substance (e.g. a brand medication) or a composite product that includes the identified substance. It must be clinically safe to only process the 'code' and ignore the 'reaction.substance'. If a receiving system is unable to confirm that AllergyIntolerance.reaction.substance falls within the semantic scope of AllergyIntolerance.code, then the receiving system should ignore AllergyIntolerance.reaction.substance.

Short DisplayCode that identifies the allergy or intolerance
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingAllergyIntolerance Substance/Product, Condition and Negation Codes (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Alternate NamesCode
Summarytrue
Comments

It is strongly recommended that this element be populated using a terminology, where possible. For example, some terminologies used include RxNorm, SNOMED CT, DM+D, NDFRT, ICD-9, IDC-10, UNII, and ATC. Plain text should only be used if there is no appropriate terminology available. Additional details can be specified in the text.

When a substance or product code is specified for the 'code' element, the "default" semantic context is that this is a positive statement of an allergy or intolerance (depending on the value of the 'type' element, if present) condition to the specified substance/product. In the corresponding SNOMED CT allergy model, the specified substance/product is the target (destination) of the "Causative agent" relationship.

The 'substanceExposureRisk' extension is available as a structured and more flexible alternative to the 'code' element for making positive or negative allergy or intolerance statements. This extension provides the capability to make "no known allergy" (or "no risk of adverse reaction") statements regarding any coded substance/product (including cases when a pre-coordinated "no allergy to x" concept for that substance/product does not exist). If the 'substanceExposureRisk' extension is present, the AllergyIntolerance.code element SHALL be omitted.

AllergyIntolerance.patient
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.patient
Definition

The patient who has the allergy or intolerance.

Short DisplayWho the allergy or intolerance is for
Cardinality1..1
TypeReference(Patient)
Alternate NamesPatient
Summarytrue
AllergyIntolerance.encounter
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.encounter
Definition

The encounter when the allergy or intolerance was asserted.

Short DisplayEncounter when the allergy or intolerance was asserted
Cardinality0..1
TypeReference(Encounter)
Summaryfalse
AllergyIntolerance.onset[x]
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.onset[x]
Definition

Estimated or actual date, date-time, or age when allergy or intolerance was identified.

Short DisplayWhen allergy or intolerance was identified
Cardinality0..1
TypedateTime|Age|Period|Range|string
[x] NoteSee Choice of Datatypes for further information about how to use [x]
Summaryfalse
Comments

Age is generally used when the patient reports an age at which the AllergyIntolerance was noted. Period is generally used to convey an imprecise onset that occurred within the time period. Range is generally used to convey an imprecise age range (e.g. 4 to 6 years old).

AllergyIntolerance.recordedDate
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.recordedDate
Definition

The recordedDate represents when this particular AllergyIntolerance record was created in the system, which is often a system-generated date.

Short DisplayDate allergy or intolerance was first recorded
Cardinality0..1
TypedateTime
Summaryfalse
Comments

When onset date is unknown, recordedDate can be used to establish if the allergy or intolerance was present on or before a given date. If the recordedDate is known and provided by a sending system, it is preferred that the receiving system preserve that recordedDate value. If the recordedDate is not provided by the sending system, the receipt timestamp is sometimes used as the recordedDate.

AllergyIntolerance.participant
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.participant
Definition

Indicates who or what participated in the activities related to the allergy or intolerance and how they were involved.

Short DisplayWho or what participated in the activities related to the allergy or intolerance and how they were involved
Cardinality0..*
Summarytrue
AllergyIntolerance.participant.function
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.participant.function
Definition

Distinguishes the type of involvement of the actor in the activities related to the allergy or intolerance.

Short DisplayType of involvement
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingParticipation Role Type (Extensible)
TypeCodeableConcept
Summarytrue
AllergyIntolerance.participant.actor
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.participant.actor
Definition

Indicates who or what participated in the activities related to the allergy or intolerance.

Short DisplayWho or what participated in the activities related to the allergy or intolerance
Cardinality1..1
TypeReference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Patient | RelatedPerson | Device | Organization | CareTeam)
Summarytrue
AllergyIntolerance.lastOccurrence
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.lastOccurrence
Definition

Represents the date and/or time of the last known occurrence of a reaction event.

Short DisplayDate(/time) of last known occurrence of a reaction
Cardinality0..1
TypedateTime
Summaryfalse
Comments

This date may be replicated by one of the Onset of Reaction dates. Where a textual representation of the date of last occurrence is required e.g. 'In Childhood, '10 years ago' the AllergyIntolerance.note element should be used.

AllergyIntolerance.note
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.note
Definition

Additional narrative about the propensity for the Adverse Reaction, not captured in other fields.

Short DisplayAdditional text not captured in other fields
Cardinality0..*
TypeAnnotation
Summaryfalse
Comments

For example: including reason for flagging a seriousness of 'High Risk'; and instructions related to future exposure or administration of the substance, such as administration within an Intensive Care Unit or under corticosteroid cover. The notes should be related to an allergy or intolerance as a condition in general and not related to any particular episode of it. For episode notes and descriptions, use AllergyIntolerance.event.description and AllergyIntolerance.event.notes.

AllergyIntolerance.reaction
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction
Definition

Details about each adverse reaction event linked to exposure to the identified substance.

Short DisplayAdverse Reaction Events linked to exposure to substance
Cardinality0..*
Summaryfalse
AllergyIntolerance.reaction.substance
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction.substance
Definition

Identification of the specific substance (or pharmaceutical product) considered to be responsible for the Adverse Reaction event. Note: the substance for a specific reaction may be different from the substance identified as the cause of the risk, but it must be consistent with it. For instance, it may be a more specific substance (e.g. a brand medication) or a composite product that includes the identified substance. It must be clinically safe to only process the 'code' and ignore the 'reaction.substance'. If a receiving system is unable to confirm that AllergyIntolerance.reaction.substance falls within the semantic scope of AllergyIntolerance.code, then the receiving system should ignore AllergyIntolerance.reaction.substance.

Short DisplaySpecific substance or pharmaceutical product considered to be responsible for event
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingSubstance Code (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Summaryfalse
Comments

Coding of the specific substance (or pharmaceutical product) with a terminology capable of triggering decision support should be used wherever possible. The 'code' element allows for the use of a specific substance or pharmaceutical product, or a group or class of substances. In the case of an allergy or intolerance to a class of substances, (for example, "penicillins"), the 'reaction.substance' element could be used to code the specific substance that was identified as having caused the reaction (for example, "amoxycillin"). Duplication of the value in the 'code' and 'reaction.substance' elements is acceptable when a specific substance has been recorded in 'code'.

AllergyIntolerance.reaction.manifestation
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction.manifestation
Definition

Clinical symptoms and/or signs that are observed or associated with the adverse reaction event.

Short DisplayClinical symptoms/signs associated with the Event
Cardinality1..*
Terminology BindingSNOMED CT Clinical Findings (Example)
TypeCodeableReference(Observation)
Alternate NamesSymptoms; Signs
Summaryfalse
Comments

Manifestation can be expressed as a single word, phrase or brief description. For example: nausea, rash or no reaction. It is preferable that manifestation should be coded with a terminology, where possible. The values entered here may be used to display on an application screen as part of a list of adverse reactions, as recommended in the UK NHS CUI guidelines. Terminologies commonly used include, but are not limited to, SNOMED CT or ICD10.

AllergyIntolerance.reaction.description
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction.description
Definition

Text description about the reaction as a whole, including details of the manifestation if required.

Short DisplayDescription of the event as a whole
Cardinality0..1
Typestring
Alternate NamesNarrative; Text
Summaryfalse
Comments

Use the description to provide any details of a particular event of the occurred reaction such as circumstances, reaction specifics, what happened before/after. Information, related to the event, but not describing a particular care should be captured in the note field. For example: at the age of four, the patient was given penicillin for strep throat and subsequently developed severe hives.

AllergyIntolerance.reaction.onset
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction.onset
Definition

Record of the date and/or time of the onset of the Reaction.

Short DisplayDate(/time) when manifestations showed
Cardinality0..1
TypedateTime
Summaryfalse
AllergyIntolerance.reaction.severity
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction.severity
Definition

Clinical assessment of the severity of the reaction event as a whole, potentially considering multiple different manifestations.

Short Displaymild | moderate | severe (of event as a whole)
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingAllergy Intolerance Severity (Required)
Typecode
Summaryfalse
Comments

It is acknowledged that this assessment is very subjective. There may be some specific practice domains where objective scales have been applied. Objective scales can be included in this model as extensions.

AllergyIntolerance.reaction.exposureRoute
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction.exposureRoute
Definition

Identification of the route by which the subject was exposed to the substance.

Short DisplayHow the subject was exposed to the substance
Cardinality0..1
Terminology BindingSNOMED CT Route Codes (Example)
TypeCodeableConcept
Summaryfalse
Comments

Coding of the route of exposure with a terminology should be used wherever possible.

AllergyIntolerance.reaction.note
Element IdAllergyIntolerance.reaction.note
Definition

Additional text about the adverse reaction event not captured in other fields.

Short DisplayText about event not captured in other fields
Cardinality0..*
TypeAnnotation
Summaryfalse
Comments

Use this field to record information indirectly related to a particular event and not captured in the description. For example: Clinical records are no longer available, recorded based on information provided to the patient by her mother and her mother is deceased.