Stream: implementers
Topic: identifier type
Diane (Jul 27 2021 at 23:49):
I am getting an error when validating the ResearchStudy resource about the type for the ResearchStudy identifier.
ResearchStudy.identifier[0].type (l39/c5) warning No code provided, and a code should be provided from the value set
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/identifier-type
Here is my identifier:
"identifier" : [
{
"use" : "usual",
"value" : "SUMC-1234567",
"assigner" : {
"display" : "Sample University Medical Center(SUMC)"
}
}
],
A. Does the error mean that I need to add the type element?
B. If yes, then I noticed that the recommended valueset http://hl7.org/fhir/R4/valueset-identifier-type.html doesn't have any values to represent the type of data that I am recording.
I am in need of a value to indicate that the identifer is a research study number assigned by an external database.
Are Placer and Filler supposed to be generic placeholders? If yes, do I use Placer or Filler type like this:
"identifier" : [
{
"use" : "usual",
"value" : "SUMC-1234567",
"assigner" : {
"display" : "Sample University Medical Center(SUMC)"
},
"type": {
"coding": [
{
"system": "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
"code": "FILL"
},
"display": "Filler Identifier"
]
}
}
]
C. Since IdentiferType is extensible, is it a better practice to use the type element, but create my own CodeSystem and code?
Lloyd McKenzie (Jul 28 2021 at 01:38):
It makes no sense that you'd have an issue with a path of identifier[0].type if type is not present. Are you certain that was the content of the JSON the validator saw? Is the instance posted anywhere?
Identifier.type is optional and if you omit it, it shouldn't generate any warnings at all.
Diane (Jul 28 2021 at 03:06):
I have had so many versions of the ResearchStudy resource. Sorry for the confusion.
You are correct that without a type tag, the message goes away.
But, the software was designed to add in a type tag modeled after the identifier used in the OrganizationAffiliation example at:
https://www.hl7.org/fhir/orgrole-example-hie.json.html
So, the instance that gives the error looks like this:
"identifier" : [
{
"use" : "usual",
"type" : {
"text" : "The Protocol Number assigned by the external IRB study database"
},
"value" : "SUMC-1234567",
"assigner" : {
"display" : "Sample University Medical Center(SUMC)"
}
}
]
The quick solution is to take out the type property. But, why doesn't type work like the OrganizationAffliiation example shows? Does the type property only work with the valueset http://hl7.org/fhir/R4/valueset-identifier-type.html?
Lloyd McKenzie (Jul 28 2021 at 03:50):
You could, but no need. The binding is extensible - which means that if the type of the identifier doesn't fall into one of the codes specified, you're free to use an alternate code or just text. Simply suppress the warning with a note indicating that you've confirmed there's no code in the value set for protocol id.
Last updated: Apr 12 2022 at 19:14 UTC
