Ontario eReferral - eConsult HL7® FHIR® Implementation Guide

FHIR Artifacts > Structure Definition: OperationOutcome Profile

Structure Definition: OperationOutcome Profile

Canonical URL:http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome

Simplifier project page: OperationOutcome

Formal Views of Profile Content

Description of Profiles, Differentials, Snapshots and how the different presentations work

Hybrid View

OperationOutcome	I		OperationOutcome	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome Short description Information about the success/failure of an action Definition A collection of error, warning, or information messages that result from a system action. Comments Can result from the failure of a REST call or be part of the response message returned from a request message. Data Type OperationOutcome Constraints dom-2:If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources `contained.contained.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-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().as(canonical) \| %resource.descendants().as(uri) \| %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty()` dom-6:A resource should have narrative for robust management text.`div`.exists() dom-5:If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label `contained.meta.security.empty()` Mappings rim:Entity. Role, or Act rim:Grouping is handled through multiple repetitions from whatever context references the outcomes (no specific grouper required)
meta	S Σ	1..1	Meta	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.meta Short description Metadata about the resource 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. Data Type Meta Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a rim:N/A
versionId	Σ	0..1	id	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.meta.versionId Short description Version specific identifier Definition The version specific identifier, as it appears in the version portion of the URL. This value changes when the resource is created, updated, or deleted. Comments The server assigns this value, and ignores what the client specifies, except in the case that the server is imposing version integrity on updates/deletes. Data Type id Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a
lastUpdated	Σ	0..1	instant	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.meta.lastUpdated Short description When the resource version last changed Definition When the resource last changed - e.g. when the version changed. Comments This value is always populated except when the resource is first being created. The server / resource manager sets this value; what a client provides is irrelevant. This is equivalent to the HTTP Last-Modified and SHOULD have the same value on a read interaction. Data Type instant Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a
source	Σ	0..1	uri	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.meta.source Short description Identifies where the resource comes from Definition A uri that identifies the source system of the resource. This provides a minimal amount of Provenance information that can be used to track or differentiate the source of information in the resource. The source may identify another FHIR server, document, message, database, etc. Comments In the provenance resource, this corresponds to Provenance.entity.what[x]. The exact use of the source (and the implied Provenance.entity.role) is left to implementer discretion. Only one nominated source is allowed; for additional provenance details, a full Provenance resource should be used. This element can be used to indicate where the current master source of a resource that has a canonical URL if the resource is no longer hosted at the canonical URL. Data Type uri Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a
profile	S Σ	1..*	canonical(StructureDefinition)	Element Id OperationOutcome.meta.profile Short description Profiles this resource claims to conform to Definition A list of profiles (references to StructureDefinition resources) that this resource claims to conform to. The URL is a reference to StructureDefinition.url. Comments *`FOR eREFERRAL USAGE: The meta.profile = http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome\|1.0.0`* It is up to the server and/or other infrastructure of policy to determine whether/how these claims are verified and/or updated over time. The list of profile URLs is a set. Data Type canonical(StructureDefinition) Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a
security	Σ	0..*	CodingBinding	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.meta.security Short description Security Labels applied to this resource Definition Security labels applied to this resource. These tags connect specific resources to the overall security policy and infrastructure. Comments The security labels can be updated without changing the stated version of the resource. The list of security labels is a set. Uniqueness is based the system/code, and version and display are ignored. Data Type Coding Binding Security Labels from the Healthcare Privacy and Security Classification System. All Security Labels (extensible) Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE/CNE/CWE subset one of the sets of component 1-3 or 4-6 rim:CV orim:fhir:Coding rdfs:subClassOf dt:CDCoding
tag	Σ	0..*	Coding	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.meta.tag Short description Tags applied to this resource Definition Tags applied to this resource. Tags are intended to be used to identify and relate resources to process and workflow, and applications are not required to consider the tags when interpreting the meaning of a resource. Comments The tags can be updated without changing the stated version of the resource. The list of tags is a set. Uniqueness is based the system/code, and version and display are ignored. Data Type Coding Binding Codes that represent various types of tags, commonly workflow-related; e.g. "Needs review by Dr. Jones". CommonTags (example) Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE/CNE/CWE subset one of the sets of component 1-3 or 4-6 rim:CV orim:fhir:Coding rdfs:subClassOf dt:CDCoding
issue	S Σ	1..*	BackboneElement	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue Short description A single issue associated with the action Definition An error, warning, or information message that results from a system action. Data Type BackboneElement Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:ERR rim:AcknowledgementDetail or Observation[classCode="ALRT" and moodCode="EVN"]
severity	S Σ	1..1	codeBinding	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.severity Short description fatal \| error \| warning \| information Definition Indicates whether the issue indicates a variation from successful processing. Requirements Indicates how relevant the issue is to the overall success of the action. Comments This is labeled as "Is Modifier" because applications should not confuse hints and warnings with errors. Data Type code Binding How the issue affects the success of the action. IssueSeverity (required) Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:ERR-4 rim:./typeCode[parent::AcknowledgmentDetail] or unique(./inboundRelationship[parent::Observation and typeCode='SUBJ' and isNormalActRelationship()]/source[classCode="OBS" and moodCode="EVN" and implies(code, ActCode#SEV and isNormalAct())/value[xsi:type="CD"]
code	S Σ	1..1	codeBinding	Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.code Short description Error or warning code Definition Describes the type of the issue. The system that creates an OperationOutcome SHALL choose the most applicable code from the IssueType value set, and may additional provide its own code for the error in the details element. Requirements Expresses the issue in a human and computer-friendly way, allowing the requesting system to behave differently based on the type of issue. The required element provides a base level of computable interoperability across all systems for processing an outcome, allowing systems to respond appropriately regardless of the internal system error codes returned. Comments Note that FHIR strings SHALL NOT exceed 1MB in size Data Type code Binding A code that describes the type of issue. IssueType (required) Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:ERR-3 rim:./code
details	S Σ	0..1	CodeableConcept	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details Short description Additional details about the error Definition Additional details about the error. This may be a text description of the error or a system code that identifies the error. Comments A human readable description of the error issue SHOULD be placed in details.text. Data Type CodeableConcept Binding A code that provides details as the exact issue. OperationOutcomeCodes (example) Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE/CNE/CWE rim:CD orim:fhir:CodeableConcept rdfs:subClassOf dt:CD v2:ERR-5 rim:./code
coding	S Σ	0..*	Coding	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding Short description Code defined by a terminology system Definition A reference to a code defined by a terminology system. Requirements Allows for alternative encodings within a code system, and translations to other code systems. Comments Codes may be defined very casually in enumerations, or code lists, up to very formal definitions such as SNOMED CT - see the HL7 v3 Core Principles for more information. Ordering of codings is undefined and SHALL NOT be used to infer meaning. Generally, at most only one of the coding values will be labeled as UserSelected = true. Data Type Coding Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE/CNE/CWE subset one of the sets of component 1-3 or 4-6 rim:CV orim:fhir:Coding rdfs:subClassOf dt:CDCoding v2:CE.1-8, CE.10-22 rim:union(., ./translation) orim:fhir:CodeableConcept.coding rdfs:subPropertyOf dt:CD.coding
system	S Σ	0..1	uri	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.system Short description Identity of the terminology system Definition The identification of the code system that defines the meaning of the symbol in the code. Requirements Need to be unambiguous about the source of the definition of the symbol. Comments The URI may be an OID (urn:oid:...) or a UUID (urn:uuid:...). OIDs and UUIDs SHALL be references to the HL7 OID registry. Otherwise, the URI should come from HL7's list of FHIR defined special URIs or it should reference to some definition that establishes the system clearly and unambiguously. Data Type uri Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE.3 rim:./codeSystem orim:*fhir:Coding.system rdfs:subPropertyOf dt:CDCoding.codeSystem
version	Σ	0..1	string	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.version Short description Version of the system - if relevant Definition The version of the code system which was used when choosing this code. Note that a well-maintained code system does not need the version reported, because the meaning of codes is consistent across versions. However this cannot consistently be assured, and when the meaning is not guaranteed to be consistent, the version SHOULD be exchanged. Comments Where the terminology does not clearly define what string should be used to identify code system versions, the recommendation is to use the date (expressed in FHIR date format) on which that version was officially published as the version date. Data Type string Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE.7 rim:./codeSystemVersion orim:*fhir:Coding.version rdfs:subPropertyOf dt:CDCoding.codeSystemVersion
code	S Σ	0..1	code	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.code Short description Symbol in syntax defined by the system Definition A symbol in syntax defined by the system. The symbol may be a predefined code or an expression in a syntax defined by the coding system (e.g. post-coordination). Requirements Need to refer to a particular code in the system. Comments Note that FHIR strings SHALL NOT exceed 1MB in size Data Type code Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE.1 rim:./code orim:*fhir:Coding.code rdfs:subPropertyOf dt:CDCoding.code
display	S Σ	0..1	string	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.display Short description Representation defined by the system Definition A representation of the meaning of the code in the system, following the rules of the system. Requirements Need to be able to carry a human-readable meaning of the code for readers that do not know the system. Comments Note that FHIR strings SHALL NOT exceed 1MB in size Data Type string Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE.2 - but note this is not well followed rim:CV.displayName orim:*fhir:Coding.display rdfs:subPropertyOf dt:CDCoding.displayName
userSelected	Σ	0..1	boolean	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.userSelected Short description If this coding was chosen directly by the user Definition Indicates that this coding was chosen by a user directly - e.g. off a pick list of available items (codes or displays). Requirements This has been identified as a clinical safety criterium - that this exact system/code pair was chosen explicitly, rather than inferred by the system based on some rules or language processing. Comments Amongst a set of alternatives, a directly chosen code is the most appropriate starting point for new translations. There is some ambiguity about what exactly 'directly chosen' implies, and trading partner agreement may be needed to clarify the use of this element and its consequences more completely. Data Type boolean Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:Sometimes implied by being first rim:CD.codingRationale orim:fhir:Coding.userSelected fhir:mapsTo dt:CDCoding.codingRationale. fhir:Coding.userSelected fhir:hasMap fhir:Coding.userSelected.map. fhir:Coding.userSelected.map a fhir:Map; fhir:target dt:CDCoding.codingRationale. fhir:Coding.userSelected\#true a [ fhir:source "true"; fhir:target dt:CDCoding.codingRationale\#O ]
text	S Σ	0..1	string	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.details.text Short description Plain text representation of the concept Definition A human language representation of the concept as seen/selected/uttered by the user who entered the data and/or which represents the intended meaning of the user. Requirements The codes from the terminologies do not always capture the correct meaning with all the nuances of the human using them, or sometimes there is no appropriate code at all. In these cases, the text is used to capture the full meaning of the source. Comments Very often the text is the same as a displayName of one of the codings. Data Type string Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:CE.9. But note many systems use CE.2 for this rim:./originalText[mediaType/code="text/plain"]/data orim:fhir:CodeableConcept.text rdfs:subPropertyOf dt:CD.originalText
diagnostics	S Σ	0..1	string	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.diagnostics Short description Additional diagnostic information about the issue Definition Additional diagnostic information about the issue. Comments This may be a description of how a value is erroneous, a stack dump to help trace the issue or other troubleshooting information. Data Type string Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:ERR-8 rim:./text[parent::AcknowledgmentDetail]
location	S Σ	0..*	string	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.location Short description Deprecated: Path of element(s) related to issue Definition This element is deprecated because it is XML specific. It is replaced by issue.expression, which is format independent, and simpler to parse. For resource issues, this will be a simple XPath limited to element names, repetition indicators and the default child accessor that identifies one of the elements in the resource that caused this issue to be raised. For HTTP errors, will be "http." + the parameter name. Requirements Allows systems to highlight or otherwise guide users to elements implicated in issues to allow them to be fixed more easily. Comments The root of the XPath is the resource or bundle that generated OperationOutcome. Each XPath SHALL resolve to a single node. This element is deprecated, and is being replaced by expression. Data Type string Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:ERR-2 rim:./location[parent::AcknowledgmentDetail]
expression	S Σ	0..*	string	There are no (further) constraints on this element Element Id OperationOutcome.issue.expression Short description FHIRPath of element(s) related to issue Definition A simple subset of FHIRPath limited to element names, repetition indicators and the default child accessor that identifies one of the elements in the resource that caused this issue to be raised. Requirements Allows systems to highlight or otherwise guide users to elements implicated in issues to allow them to be fixed more easily. Comments The root of the FHIRPath is the resource or bundle that generated OperationOutcome. Each FHIRPath SHALL resolve to a single node. Data Type string Constraints ele-1:All FHIR elements must have a @value or children `hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())` Mappings rim:n/a v2:ERR-2 rim:./location[parent::AcknowledgmentDetail]

JSON View

{
    "resourceType": "StructureDefinition",
    "id": "ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome",
    "url": "http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "name": "EReferralOperationOutcome",
    "title": "OperationOutcome",
    "status": "draft",
    "description": "Operation outcomes are sets of error, warning and information messages that provide detailed information about the outcome of an attempted system operation. They are provided as a direct system response, or component of one, and provide information about the outcome of the operation.",
    "fhirVersion": "4.0.1",
    "kind": "resource",
    "abstract": false,
    "type": "OperationOutcome",
    "baseDefinition": "http://hl7.org/fhir/StructureDefinition/OperationOutcome",
    "derivation": "constraint",
    "differential": {
        "element":  [
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.meta",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.meta",
                "min": 1,
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.meta.profile",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.meta.profile",
                "comment": "#### **_` FOR eREFERRAL USAGE: The meta.profile = http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome|1.0.0 `_**\n\nIt is up to the server and/or other infrastructure of policy to determine whether/how these claims are verified and/or updated over time.  The list of profile URLs is a set.",
                "min": 1,
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.severity",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.severity",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.code",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.code",
                "mustSupport": true,
                "binding": {
                    "strength": "required",
                    "valueSet": "http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/issue-type"
                }
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.details",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.details",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.system",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.system",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.code",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.code",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.display",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.display",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.text",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.details.text",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.diagnostics",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.diagnostics",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.location",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.location",
                "mustSupport": true
            },
            {
                "id": "OperationOutcome.issue.expression",
                "path": "OperationOutcome.issue.expression",
                "mustSupport": true
            }
        ]
    }
}

Usage

OperationOutcome is used to provide more detailed description of any issues that occurred during execution of a registry operation. Specific profiles are provided on the resource to reflect expectations of its use for each registry. However, the general conventions are the same:

OperationOutcome can either be the sole response to an operation (generally accompanying an HTTP code that indicates a failure) or it can be part of a Bundle indicating potential warnings associated with the generation of the search response.
If an OperationOutcome is returned with anything other than a success (200), the issues it contains will be of type 'error' or 'fatal'. (Fatal is used for issues that occur before the query can be exercised, 'error' is used for issues that occur during query execution.
OperationOutcomes returned as part of a Bundle will only contain 'warning' and 'information' messages. The user should always be made aware of the existence of these messages and the user should have the opportunity to review all such messages

See responses handling for more information.

Notes

.meta.profile

used to declare conformance to this profile
populate with the fixed value: http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome|1.0.0

.issue

an error, warning or information message that results from a system action.

.issue.severity

a code that identifies how the issue affects the success of the action.

.issue.code

a code that provides a standardized description of the issue
the system that creates an OperationOutcome SHALL choose the most applicable code from the IssueType value set, and may additional provide its own code for the error in the details element.
systems MAY create logic based on the specific code returned

.issue.details.text

the details of the issue or warning
systems SHOULD always display the text to the end user

issue.details.coding

intended for diagnostic purposes
will generally only be relevant to help-desk personnel
systems MAY make access to this information available to users by clicking on a button rather but SHOULD AVOID displaying information directly to end users that would be confusing

issue.diagnostics

intended for diagnostic purposes
will generally only be relevant to help-desk personnel
systems MAY make access to this information available to users by clicking on a button rather but SHOULD AVOID displaying information directly to end users that would be confusing

issue.location

intended for diagnostic purposes
- expressed as an XPath regardless of whether the submitted content is XML or JSON
- will only occur if the problem is with a submitted FHIR instance (i.e.: will not be present if the issue is for query parameters, HTTP headers, etc.)
will generally only be relevant to help-desk personnel
systems MAY make access to this information available to users by clicking on a button rather but SHOULD AVOID displaying information directly to end users that would be confusing

Structure Definition: OperationOutcome Profile

Formal Views of Profile Content

Differential View

`FOR eREFERRAL USAGE: The meta.profile = http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome|1.0.0`

Hybrid View

`FOR eREFERRAL USAGE: The meta.profile = http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome|1.0.0`

Snapshot View

`FOR eREFERRAL USAGE: The meta.profile = http://ehealthontario.ca/fhir/StructureDefinition/ca-on-eReferral-profile-OperationOutcome|1.0.0`

Table View

JSON View

Usage

Notes

OperationOutcome		..
OperationOutcome.meta		1..
OperationOutcome.meta.profile		1..
OperationOutcome.issue		..
OperationOutcome.issue.severity		..
OperationOutcome.issue.code		..
OperationOutcome.issue.details		..
OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding		..
OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.system		..
OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.code		..
OperationOutcome.issue.details.coding.display		..
OperationOutcome.issue.details.text		..
OperationOutcome.issue.diagnostics		..
OperationOutcome.issue.location		..
OperationOutcome.issue.expression		..