Stream: implementers
Topic: How to represent Common Materials in FHIR?
Rodrigo Sendin (Mar 17 2022 at 13:39):
We are trying to find the best way to represent materials like Syringes, Gloves, Masks, Diapers, etc. Should we use Substance or DeviceDefinition?
As I understand, the DeviceDefinition has more detailed information, but it implies the need to use the Device to represent the instances of the Material.
The problem here is some materials we don't have an UUID, and we just need to control the amount in storage with the inputs and outputs.
On the other hand we have the Substance Resource, that seems to allow us to represent some Simple Materials. But I am not sure if that is the "natural" way to represent the Material.
Anyway, anybody has faced this dilemma? Any thoughts about what aproach is the best?
Thanks in advance!
Rik Smithies (Mar 17 2022 at 13:47):
Unless you want to represent the glove etc. purely by what they are made of (e.g. latex) then these things are definitely not substances. A substance is a basic material, not the things made out of it.
David Pyke (Mar 17 2022 at 14:08):
FHIR isn't really designed around inventory management. If you're going to exchange information on that, you're likely to need to create your own using the Basic resource.
Rodrigo Sendin (Mar 18 2022 at 14:21):
David Pyke said:
FHIR isn't really designed around inventory management. If you're going to exchange information on that, you're likely to need to create your own using the Basic resource.
Ok. But what about the financial management? How do I represent these materials in the ChargeItemDefinition? The instance of a ChargeItemDefinition allows me to reference (Medication | Substance | Device). Should I extend it to allow to reference this "new resource"?
René Spronk (Mar 18 2022 at 14:44):
If you use a Basic resource to represent generic materials, then an extension-reference to that Basic resource would be called for.
Rik Smithies (Mar 18 2022 at 15:00):
I think those are not "materials" at all, but are Devices. The only reason I didn't suggest devices in the first place is that there can be some grey areas around what are devices or medications (not just in FHIR but in the real world). But I think in this case best to use Device.
René Spronk (Mar 18 2022 at 16:11):
Looking at the definition of Device - that doesn't match at all I'm afraid. Basic it is.
John Moehrke (Mar 18 2022 at 16:13):
there is a bunch of CR asking for clarity to Device... as it is rather medical-device specific today, yet it is not intended to be that specific.
John Moehrke (Mar 18 2022 at 16:16):
so my understanding is that Device is intended to cover any 'thing' that is not clearly in another camp (medication)
René Spronk (Mar 18 2022 at 16:21):
Mmm. Okay, but a definition in terms of (use C if "not A, not B") is always a sign of weakness, so we better come up with something sensible. Devices may also then not be the best name for the resource.
Rik Smithies (Mar 18 2022 at 16:34):
~A type of a manufactured item that is used in the provision of healthcare without being substantially changed through that activity. The device may be a medical or non-medical device.
Why would a glove or syringe not fit that I wonder?
Lloyd McKenzie (Mar 18 2022 at 17:06):
Device absolutely covers bandages, blankets, etc.
Last updated: Apr 12 2022 at 19:14 UTC
