ISO/HL7 21731:2006
(Main)Health informatics — HL7 version 3 — Reference information model — Release 1
Health informatics — HL7 version 3 — Reference information model — Release 1
ISO/HL7 21731:2006 deals with a static model of health and health care information as viewed within the scope of HL7 standards development activities.
Informatique de santé — HL7 version 3 — Modèle d'information de référence — Version 1
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INTERNATIONAL ISO/HL7
STANDARD 21731
First edition
2006-08-01
Corrected version
2012-10-15
Health informatics — HL7 version 3 —
Reference information model —
Release 1
Informatique de santé — HL7 version 3 — Modèle d'information de
référence — Version 1
Reference number
ISO/HL7 21731:2006(E)
©
ISO/HL7 2006
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/HL7 21731:2006(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
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ii © ISO/HL7 2006 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
HEALTH LEVEL SEVEN
REFERENCE INFORMATION MODEL,
RELEASE 1
Modeling & Methodology George Beeler, Jr., PhD.
Co-Chair Beeler Consulting LLC
Editor James Case, DVM, PhD.
University of California, Davis
Modeling & Methodology Jane Curry
Co-Chair Sierra Systems & CIHI - HL7 Canada
Modeling & Methodology Ann Hueber
Co-Chair Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories
Editor Lloyd Mckenzie
IBM Canada & CIHI - HL7 Canada & Alberta Wellnet
Editor Gunther Schadow, M.D., PhD.
Regenstrief Institute for Health Care
Modeling & Methodology Abdul-Malik Shakir
Co-Chair Shakir Consulting LLC
Health Level Seven and HL7 are registered trademarks of Health Level Seven, Inc.
Health Level Seven, 3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 227, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4261. Phone: 734-677-7777
Fax: 734-677-6622, Email: HQ@HL7.org; Internet: http://www.HL7.org
© ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved iii
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
CONTENTS PAGE
Foreword . vi
0 Introduction . vi
0.1 Uses of a Reference Information Model (RIM) in Health Informatics . vi
0.2 Further information . vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Conformance . 1
3 Normative references . 1
4 Terms and definitions . 1
5 Interpretation of the Specification . 7
5.1 Specification contents . 7
5.2 Understanding the RIM . 8
5.3 Graphic Diagrams of the RIM . 9
6 Subject areas . 15
6.1 FoundationClasses . 15
6.1.1 Acts . 15
6.1.2 Entities . 16
6.1.3 Roles . 16
7 Classes . 16
7.1 Classes in subject area Acts . 16
7.2 Classes in subject area Entities . 61
7.3 Classes in subject area Roles . 77
8 Associations . 85
8.1 (0.*)ActRelationship :: source :: (1.1)Act :: outboundRelationship . 85
8.2 (0.*)ActRelationship :: target :: (1.1)Act :: inboundRelationship . 85
8.3 (1.1)Entity :: languageCommunication :: (0.*)LanguageCommunication :: entity . 85
8.4 (0.*)Participation :: act :: (1.1)Act :: participation . 85
8.5 (0.*)Participation :: role :: (1.1)Role :: participation . 85
8.6 (0.*)Role :: player :: (0.1)Entity :: playedRole . 85
8.7 (0.*)Role :: scoper :: (0.1)Entity :: scopedRole . 85
8.8 (0.*)RoleLink :: source :: (1.1)Role :: outboundLink . 85
8.9 (0.*)RoleLink :: target :: (1.1)Role :: inboundLink . 85
9 Normative Vocabulary Contents . 86
9.1 RIM Structural Vocabulary . 86
9.2 ActClass . 87
9.3 ActMood . 97
9.4 ActRelationshipCheckpoint . 99
9.5 ActRelationshipJoin . 99
9.6 ActRelationshipSplit . 100
9.7 ActRelationshipType . 100
9.8 ActStatus . 107
iv © ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved
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ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
9.9 ContextControl . 108
9.10 EntityClass . 110
9.11 EntityDeterminer . 112
9.12 EntityStatus . 113
9.13 ManagedParticipationStatus . 113
9.14 ParticipationType . 113
9.15 RelationshipConjunction . 118
9.16 RoleClass . 118
9.17 RoleLinkType . 125
9.18 RoleStatus . 125
Annex A (informative) Background of RIM Development . 126
A.1 History of the RIM . 126
A.2 Implications of Balloting the RIM . 126
Annex B (informative) Overview of RIM Design Principles . 128
B.1 Purpose . 128
B.2 Overview . 128
B.3 The Rationale Behind the RIM's Design . 128
B.4 Linking Acts Together: The Semantics of ActRelationship . 130
B.5 Definitions of the Six Core Rim Classes . 131
B.6 Data Type and Vocabulary Specifications . 132
B.7 HL7 Version 3 Methodology and the RIM . 133
Annex C (informative) Summary of Version 3 Data Types . 134
C.1 Overview of Data Types . 134
© ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved v
---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has
been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
A pilot project between ISO and Health Level Seven Inc. (HL7) has been formed to develop and maintain
a group of ISO/HL7 standards in the field of medical devices as approved by Council resolution 7/2002.
Under this pilot project, HL7 is responsible for the development and maintenance of these standards with
participation and input from ISO member bodies.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/HL7 21731 was prepared by HL7 and Technical Committee ISO/TC 215, Health informatics.
This corrected version incorporates important new copyright and licensing agreement information on the cover
page of this document.
0 Introduction
This introduction is confined to discussion of the requirement for a Reference Information Model in
standardization. Further information on the development of this model and the rational for advancing it as
a standard can be found in Annex A.
0.1 Uses of a Reference Information Model (RIM) in Health Informatics
0.1.1 Use of the RIM in ISO TC215
ISO TC215 – Health Informatics has previously advanced ISO 17113, a specification for a framweork for
developing health data interchange standards. This framework specification calls for messaging standards
to be based on a single, comprehensive model of health information. The RIM presented in the current
specification provides one such model. Further, the RIM may provide a reference document that can facilitate
the harmonization of the health informatics standards and relaterd specifications within ISO TC 215.
0.1.2 Use of the RIM by HL7
The HL7 RIM is a critical component of the V3 development process. It is the root of all information models
and structures developed as part of the V3 development process.
The HL7 V3 standard development process is a model-driven methodology in which a network of inter-related
models are developed that depict the static and behavioral aspects of the requirements and design of HL7
standards, as well as the underlying semantics and business rules that govern them.
vi © ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved
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TThe
l committees are circulated to the member bodies for
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
0 INTRODUCTION
The RIM provides a static view of the information needs of HL7 V3 standards. It includes class and
state-machine diagrams and is accompanied by use case models, interaction models, data type models,
terminology models, and other types of models to provide a complete view of the requirements and design
of HL7 standards. The classes, attributes, state-machines, and relationships in the RIM are used to derive
domain-specific information models that are then transformed through a series of constraining refinement
processes to eventually yield a static model of the information content of an HL7 standard.
The HL7 V3 standard development process defines the rules governing the derivation of domain information
models from the RIM and the refinement of those models into HL7 standard specifications. The rules require
that all information structures in derived models be traceable back to the RIM and that their semantic and
related business rules not conflict with those specified in the RIM. The RIM therefore is the ultimate source
for all information content in HL7 V3 standards.
The RIM is used by HL7 international affiliates to extend HL7 V3 standards to meet local needs. Through
a process known as localization, V3 standard specifications are extended using the RIM as the source for
new information content. This new information is derived from the RIM and refined in the same manner used
to create the original specification.
0.1.3 Uses of the RIM Outside of HL7
The RIM is primarily for use by HL7 and its international affiliates. However, others outside of HL7 have also
found the RIM useful. Although HL7 maintains a copyright on the expression of this standard, HL7 does not
seek to license or otherwise control the use of information structures or programs that implement this
specification. Early adopters of the V3 standards development process have used the RIM to develop
HL7-like message specifications in their own environments. These early adopters include vendors, large
integrated delivery networks, and government agencies within the United States and internationally. These
same early adopters are extremely active in HL7 and provide practical input to the RIM and other aspects
of V3 the development process.
Some HL7 member organizations have reported using the RIM as a source of input to their enterprise
information architectures or as a starting place for systems analysis and design. The RIM may indeed be
useful for such purposes; however, HL7 provides no assurance that the RIM is useful for anything other
than as a reference model for HL7 standards development.
The RIM is only one model of healthcare information needs. The abstract style of the RIM and the ability to
extend the RIM through vocabulary specifications make the RIM applicable to any conceivable healthcare
system information interchange scenario. In fact, it is conceptually applicable to any information domain
involving entities playing roles and participating in acts.
The universal applicability of the RIM makes it particularly useful for an organization like HL7 that has to
consider the needs of a large and diverse membership. The style of the RIM makes it extremely stable,
which is another important characteristic for HL7. The HL7 standards development process calls for the
creation of domain specific models derived from the RIM and the incremental refinement of those models
into design models that are specific to the problem area. These problem area specific design models narrow
the abstractness of the RIM and include constraints on attribute values and class relationships that are use
case specific. External organizations considering using the HL7 RIM are advised to adopt a similar process
of deriving design models as a transformation of the RIM.
0.2 Further information
Questions or comments about the content of the standard may be addressed to HL7 at (www.hl7.org), to
one of the HL7 International Affiliate organizations, or to the Secretariat of ISO TC215 – Health Informatics.
© ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved vii
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
Health informatics — HL7 version 3 — Reference information
model — Release 1
1 Scope
The Health Level Seven (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) is a static model of health and health
care information as viewed within the scope of HL7 standards development activities. It is the combined
consensus view of information from the perspective of the HL7 working group and the HL7 international
affiliates. The RIM is the ultimate source from which all HL7 version 3.0 protocol specification standards
draw their information-related content. In the context of ISO TC215 – Health Informatics, the RIM provides
a reference model that may be used in developing further health informatics specifications.
2 Conformance
An information model such as the RIM specified in this standard may serve as the basis for other information
models that are directly derived from it, and may provide a foundation to support the design of data bases
and other information structures. Nevertheless, neither ISO TC 215 nor HL7 believe that it is reasonable to
define tests of whether a particular implementation may conform to this standard. Therefore users of this
standard shall not claim conformance to this standard. Further, ISO TC215 and HL7, as developers of this
standard request that users inform them of particular requirements which caused the users to deviate from
this stanard or to extend it. This will allow subsequent releases of the standard to meet a broader range of
requirements.
3 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 17113, Health informatics — Exchange of information between healthcare information systems —
Method for development of messages
ISO/IEC 19501, Information technology — Open Distributed Processing — Unified Modeling Language
(UML) Version 1.4.2
ANSI/HL7 V3 DT, R1-2004, HL7 Version 3 Standard: Data Types — Abstract Specification, Release 1
4 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
4.1
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
© ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved 1
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ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003 4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
4.2
association
A reference from one class to another class or to itself, or a connection between two objects (instances of
classes).
4.3
association role name
A name for each end of an association. The name is a short verb phrase depicting the role of the class at
the opposite end of the association from the perspective of the class adjacent to the role.
4.4
attribute
An abstraction of a particular aspect of a class. Attributes become the data values that are passed in HL7
messages.
4.5
bag
A form of collection whose members are unordered, and need not be unique.
4.6
cardinality
Property of a data element (the number of times a data element may repeat within an individual occurrence
of an object view).
4.7
class
An abstraction of a thing or concept in a particular application domain.
4.8
classifier attribute
An attribute used in generalization hierarchies to indicate which of the specializations is the focus of the
class .
4.9
coded attribute
An attribute in the Reference Information Model (RIM) with a base data type of CD, CE, CS, or CV.
4.10
coding strength
An extensibility qualifier that specifies whether or not a code set can be expanded to meet local implementation
needs.
4.11
coding system
A scheme for representing concepts using (usually) short concept identifiers to denote the concepts that
are members of the system; defines a set of unique concept codes. Examples of coding systems are ICD-9,
LOINC and SNOMED.
4.12
collection
An aggregation of similar objects. The forms of collection used by HL7 are set , bag, and list. Objects which
may be found in collections include data types.
2 © ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved
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4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
4.13
connection
In an information model, a specified relationship between two classes .
4.14
data type
The structural format of the data carried in an attribute. It may constrain the set of values an attribute may
assume.
4.15
distal class
From the perspective of a class in an information model, it is the class at the opposite end of an association
between the two.
4.16
domain
1. A particular area of interest. For example, the domain for HL7 is healthcare.
2. The set of possible values of a data type , attribute, or data type component. See also vocabulary domain.
4.17
event
1. A stimulus that causes a noteworthy change in the state of an object, or a signal that invokes the behavior
of an object.
2. A vocabulary domain value for Mood.
4.18
extensibility qualifier
A vocabulary domain qualifier used in a domain specification, which indicates whether or not the existing
vocabulary domain can be extended with additional values. There are two possible values: CNE (coded, no
extension) and CWE (coded with extension).
4.19
generalization
An association between two classes, referred to as superclass and subclass, in which the subclass is derived
from the superclass. The subclass inherits all properties from the superclass, including attributes,
relationships, and states, but also adds new ones to extend the capabilities of the parent class. Essentially,
a specialization from the point-of-view of the subclass.
4.20
generalization hierarchy
All superclasses and subclasses with a common root superclass.
4.21
graphical expression
A visual representation of a model that uses graphic symbols to represent the components of the model
and the relationships that exist between those components.
© ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved 3
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ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003 4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
4.22
Health Level Seven
HL7
A standards developing organization based in the United States of America.
4.23
identifier attribute
An attribute used to identify an instance of a class.
4.24
information model
A structured specification, expressed graphically and/or narratively, of the information requirements of a
domain. An information model describes the classes of information required and the properties of those
classes, including attributes, relationships, and states. Examples in HL7 are the Domain Reference Information
Model, Reference Information Model, and Refined Message Information Model.
4.25
inheritance
In a generalization relationship, the subclass inherits all properties from the superclass, including attributes,
relationships, and states, unless otherwise specified.
4.26
instance
A case or an occurrence. For example, an instance of a class is an object.
4.27
list
A form of collection whose members are ordered, and need not be unique.
4.28
literary expression
A representation of a model in text. The literary expression seeks to balance the need for a rigorous,
unambiguous description of the model with the need for a rendition that can be easily read and interpreted
by individuals who understand the general concepts underlying object-oriented models, but who may not
be schooled in formal model definition languages.
4.29
mandatory
If an attribute is designated as mandatory, all message elements which make use of this attribute must
contain a non-null value or they must have a default that is not null.
4.30
mandatory association
An association with a multiplicity minimum greater than zero on one end. A fully mandatory association is
one with a multiplicity minimum greater than zero on both ends.
4.31
methodology
Methods or rules followed in a particular discipline.
4 © ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved
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4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS ISO 21731:2005(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
4.32
model
A representation of a domain that uses abstraction to express the relevant concepts.
4.33
multiplicity
In the information model, multiplicity is a specification of the minimum and maximum number of objects from
each class that can participate in an association. Multiplicity is specified for each end of the association.
4.34
namespace
A namespace is a part of the model in which names are defined and used, where each name has a unique
meaning.
4.35
object
An instance of a class. A part of an information system containing a collection of related data (in the form
of attributes) and procedures (methods) for operating on that data.
4.36
object identity
The feature that the existence of an object is independent of any values associated with the o
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO/HL7
STANDARD 21731
First edition
2006-08-01
Health informatics — HL7 version 3 —
Reference information model —
Release 1
Informatique de santé — HL7 version 3 — Modèle d'information de
référence — Version 1
Reference number
ISO/HL7 21731:2006(E)
©
ISO/HL7 2006
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/HL7 21731:2006(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
© ISO and HL7 2006
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO or IDF at the respective
address below.
ISO copyright office Health Level Seven, Inc.
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20 • Switzerland Standards Publishing Department
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11 3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 227
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 • USA
E-mail copyright@iso.org E-mail hq@hl7.org
Web www.iso.org Web www.hl7.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/HL7 2006 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
HEALTH LEVEL SEVEN
REFERENCE INFORMATION MODEL,
RELEASE 1
Modeling & Methodology George Beeler, Jr., PhD.
Co-Chair Beeler Consulting LLC
Editor James Case, DVM, PhD.
University of California, Davis
Modeling & Methodology Jane Curry
Co-Chair Sierra Systems & CIHI - HL7 Canada
Modeling & Methodology Ann Hueber
Co-Chair Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories
Editor Lloyd Mckenzie
IBM Canada & CIHI - HL7 Canada & Alberta Wellnet
Editor Gunther Schadow, M.D., PhD.
Regenstrief Institute for Health Care
Modeling & Methodology Abdul-Malik Shakir
Co-Chair Shakir Consulting LLC
Health Level Seven and HL7 are registered trademarks of Health Level Seven, Inc.
Health Level Seven, 3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 227, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4261. Phone: 734-677-7777
Fax: 734-677-6622, Email: HQ@HL7.org; Internet: http://www.HL7.org
© ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved iii
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
CONTENTS PAGE
Foreword . vi
0 Introduction . vi
0.1 Uses of a Reference Information Model (RIM) in Health Informatics . vi
0.2 Further information . vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Conformance . 1
3 Normative references . 1
4 Terms and definitions . 1
5 Interpretation of the Specification . 7
5.1 Specification contents . 7
5.2 Understanding the RIM . 8
5.3 Graphic Diagrams of the RIM . 9
6 Subject areas . 15
6.1 FoundationClasses . 15
6.1.1 Acts . 15
6.1.2 Entities . 16
6.1.3 Roles . 16
7 Classes . 16
7.1 Classes in subject area Acts . 16
7.2 Classes in subject area Entities . 61
7.3 Classes in subject area Roles . 77
8 Associations . 85
8.1 (0.*)ActRelationship :: source :: (1.1)Act :: outboundRelationship . 85
8.2 (0.*)ActRelationship :: target :: (1.1)Act :: inboundRelationship . 85
8.3 (1.1)Entity :: languageCommunication :: (0.*)LanguageCommunication :: entity . 85
8.4 (0.*)Participation :: act :: (1.1)Act :: participation . 85
8.5 (0.*)Participation :: role :: (1.1)Role :: participation . 85
8.6 (0.*)Role :: player :: (0.1)Entity :: playedRole . 85
8.7 (0.*)Role :: scoper :: (0.1)Entity :: scopedRole . 85
8.8 (0.*)RoleLink :: source :: (1.1)Role :: outboundLink . 85
8.9 (0.*)RoleLink :: target :: (1.1)Role :: inboundLink . 85
9 Normative Vocabulary Contents . 86
9.1 RIM Structural Vocabulary . 86
9.2 ActClass . 87
9.3 ActMood . 97
9.4 ActRelationshipCheckpoint . 99
9.5 ActRelationshipJoin . 99
9.6 ActRelationshipSplit . 100
9.7 ActRelationshipType . 100
9.8 ActStatus . 107
iv © ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
9.9 ContextControl . 108
9.10 EntityClass . 110
9.11 EntityDeterminer . 112
9.12 EntityStatus . 113
9.13 ManagedParticipationStatus . 113
9.14 ParticipationType . 113
9.15 RelationshipConjunction . 118
9.16 RoleClass . 118
9.17 RoleLinkType . 125
9.18 RoleStatus . 125
Annex A (informative) Background of RIM Development . 126
A.1 History of the RIM . 126
A.2 Implications of Balloting the RIM . 126
Annex B (informative) Overview of RIM Design Principles . 128
B.1 Purpose . 128
B.2 Overview . 128
B.3 The Rationale Behind the RIM's Design . 128
B.4 Linking Acts Together: The Semantics of ActRelationship . 130
B.5 Definitions of the Six Core Rim Classes . 131
B.6 Data Type and Vocabulary Specifications . 132
B.7 HL7 Version 3 Methodology and the RIM . 133
Annex C (informative) Summary of Version 3 Data Types . 134
C.1 Overview of Data Types . 134
© ISO/HL7 2006 - All rights reserved v
---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has
been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
A pilot project between ISO and Health Level Seven Inc. (HL7) has been formed to develop and maintain
a group of ISO/HL7 standards in the field of medical devices as approved by Council resolution 7/2002.
Under this pilot project, HL7 is responsible for the development and maintenance of these standards with
participation and input from ISO member bodies.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/HL7 21731 was prepared by HL7 and Technical Committee ISO/TC 215, Health informatics.
0 Introduction
This introduction is confined to discussion of the requirement for a Reference Information Model in
standardization. Further information on the development of this model and the rational for advancing it as
a standard can be found in Annex A.
0.1 Uses of a Reference Information Model (RIM) in Health Informatics
0.1.1 Use of the RIM in ISO TC215
ISO TC215 – Health Informatics has previously advanced ISO 17113, a specification for a framweork for
developing health data interchange standards. This framework specification calls for messaging standards
to be based on a single, comprehensive model of health information. The RIM presented in the current
specification provides one such model. Further, the RIM may provide a reference document that can facilitate
the harmonization of the health informatics standards and relaterd specifications within ISO TC 215.
0.1.2 Use of the RIM by HL7
The HL7 RIM is a critical component of the V3 development process. It is the root of all information models
and structures developed as part of the V3 development process.
The HL7 V3 standard development process is a model-driven methodology in which a network of inter-related
models are developed that depict the static and behavioral aspects of the requirements and design of HL7
standards, as well as the underlying semantics and business rules that govern them.
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TThe
l committees are circulated to the member bodies for
ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
0 INTRODUCTION
The RIM provides a static view of the information needs of HL7 V3 standards. It includes class and
state-machine diagrams and is accompanied by use case models, interaction models, data type models,
terminology models, and other types of models to provide a complete view of the requirements and design
of HL7 standards. The classes, attributes, state-machines, and relationships in the RIM are used to derive
domain-specific information models that are then transformed through a series of constraining refinement
processes to eventually yield a static model of the information content of an HL7 standard.
The HL7 V3 standard development process defines the rules governing the derivation of domain information
models from the RIM and the refinement of those models into HL7 standard specifications. The rules require
that all information structures in derived models be traceable back to the RIM and that their semantic and
related business rules not conflict with those specified in the RIM. The RIM therefore is the ultimate source
for all information content in HL7 V3 standards.
The RIM is used by HL7 international affiliates to extend HL7 V3 standards to meet local needs. Through
a process known as localization, V3 standard specifications are extended using the RIM as the source for
new information content. This new information is derived from the RIM and refined in the same manner used
to create the original specification.
0.1.3 Uses of the RIM Outside of HL7
The RIM is primarily for use by HL7 and its international affiliates. However, others outside of HL7 have also
found the RIM useful. Although HL7 maintains a copyright on the expression of this standard, HL7 does not
seek to license or otherwise control the use of information structures or programs that implement this
specification. Early adopters of the V3 standards development process have used the RIM to develop
HL7-like message specifications in their own environments. These early adopters include vendors, large
integrated delivery networks, and government agencies within the United States and internationally. These
same early adopters are extremely active in HL7 and provide practical input to the RIM and other aspects
of V3 the development process.
Some HL7 member organizations have reported using the RIM as a source of input to their enterprise
information architectures or as a starting place for systems analysis and design. The RIM may indeed be
useful for such purposes; however, HL7 provides no assurance that the RIM is useful for anything other
than as a reference model for HL7 standards development.
The RIM is only one model of healthcare information needs. The abstract style of the RIM and the ability to
extend the RIM through vocabulary specifications make the RIM applicable to any conceivable healthcare
system information interchange scenario. In fact, it is conceptually applicable to any information domain
involving entities playing roles and participating in acts.
The universal applicability of the RIM makes it particularly useful for an organization like HL7 that has to
consider the needs of a large and diverse membership. The style of the RIM makes it extremely stable,
which is another important characteristic for HL7. The HL7 standards development process calls for the
creation of domain specific models derived from the RIM and the incremental refinement of those models
into design models that are specific to the problem area. These problem area specific design models narrow
the abstractness of the RIM and include constraints on attribute values and class relationships that are use
case specific. External organizations considering using the HL7 RIM are advised to adopt a similar process
of deriving design models as a transformation of the RIM.
0.2 Further information
Questions or comments about the content of the standard may be addressed to HL7 at (www.hl7.org), to
one of the HL7 International Affiliate organizations, or to the Secretariat of ISO TC215 – Health Informatics.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
Health informatics — HL7 version 3 — Reference information
model — Release 1
1 Scope
The Health Level Seven (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) is a static model of health and health
care information as viewed within the scope of HL7 standards development activities. It is the combined
consensus view of information from the perspective of the HL7 working group and the HL7 international
affiliates. The RIM is the ultimate source from which all HL7 version 3.0 protocol specification standards
draw their information-related content. In the context of ISO TC215 – Health Informatics, the RIM provides
a reference model that may be used in developing further health informatics specifications.
2 Conformance
An information model such as the RIM specified in this standard may serve as the basis for other information
models that are directly derived from it, and may provide a foundation to support the design of data bases
and other information structures. Nevertheless, neither ISO TC 215 nor HL7 believe that it is reasonable to
define tests of whether a particular implementation may conform to this standard. Therefore users of this
standard shall not claim conformance to this standard. Further, ISO TC215 and HL7, as developers of this
standard request that users inform them of particular requirements which caused the users to deviate from
this stanard or to extend it. This will allow subsequent releases of the standard to meet a broader range of
requirements.
3 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 17113, Health informatics — Exchange of information between healthcare information systems —
Method for development of messages
ISO/IEC 19501, Information technology — Open Distributed Processing — Unified Modeling Language
(UML) Version 1.4.2
ANSI/HL7 V3 DT, R1-2004, HL7 Version 3 Standard: Data Types — Abstract Specification, Release 1
4 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
4.1
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
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ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003 4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
4.2
association
A reference from one class to another class or to itself, or a connection between two objects (instances of
classes).
4.3
association role name
A name for each end of an association. The name is a short verb phrase depicting the role of the class at
the opposite end of the association from the perspective of the class adjacent to the role.
4.4
attribute
An abstraction of a particular aspect of a class. Attributes become the data values that are passed in HL7
messages.
4.5
bag
A form of collection whose members are unordered, and need not be unique.
4.6
cardinality
Property of a data element (the number of times a data element may repeat within an individual occurrence
of an object view).
4.7
class
An abstraction of a thing or concept in a particular application domain.
4.8
classifier attribute
An attribute used in generalization hierarchies to indicate which of the specializations is the focus of the
class .
4.9
coded attribute
An attribute in the Reference Information Model (RIM) with a base data type of CD, CE, CS, or CV.
4.10
coding strength
An extensibility qualifier that specifies whether or not a code set can be expanded to meet local implementation
needs.
4.11
coding system
A scheme for representing concepts using (usually) short concept identifiers to denote the concepts that
are members of the system; defines a set of unique concept codes. Examples of coding systems are ICD-9,
LOINC and SNOMED.
4.12
collection
An aggregation of similar objects. The forms of collection used by HL7 are set , bag, and list. Objects which
may be found in collections include data types.
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4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
4.13
connection
In an information model, a specified relationship between two classes .
4.14
data type
The structural format of the data carried in an attribute. It may constrain the set of values an attribute may
assume.
4.15
distal class
From the perspective of a class in an information model, it is the class at the opposite end of an association
between the two.
4.16
domain
1. A particular area of interest. For example, the domain for HL7 is healthcare.
2. The set of possible values of a data type , attribute, or data type component. See also vocabulary domain.
4.17
event
1. A stimulus that causes a noteworthy change in the state of an object, or a signal that invokes the behavior
of an object.
2. A vocabulary domain value for Mood.
4.18
extensibility qualifier
A vocabulary domain qualifier used in a domain specification, which indicates whether or not the existing
vocabulary domain can be extended with additional values. There are two possible values: CNE (coded, no
extension) and CWE (coded with extension).
4.19
generalization
An association between two classes, referred to as superclass and subclass, in which the subclass is derived
from the superclass. The subclass inherits all properties from the superclass, including attributes,
relationships, and states, but also adds new ones to extend the capabilities of the parent class. Essentially,
a specialization from the point-of-view of the subclass.
4.20
generalization hierarchy
All superclasses and subclasses with a common root superclass.
4.21
graphical expression
A visual representation of a model that uses graphic symbols to represent the components of the model
and the relationships that exist between those components.
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ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003 4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
4.22
Health Level Seven
HL7
A standards developing organization based in the United States of America.
4.23
identifier attribute
An attribute used to identify an instance of a class.
4.24
information model
A structured specification, expressed graphically and/or narratively, of the information requirements of a
domain. An information model describes the classes of information required and the properties of those
classes, including attributes, relationships, and states. Examples in HL7 are the Domain Reference Information
Model, Reference Information Model, and Refined Message Information Model.
4.25
inheritance
In a generalization relationship, the subclass inherits all properties from the superclass, including attributes,
relationships, and states, unless otherwise specified.
4.26
instance
A case or an occurrence. For example, an instance of a class is an object.
4.27
list
A form of collection whose members are ordered, and need not be unique.
4.28
literary expression
A representation of a model in text. The literary expression seeks to balance the need for a rigorous,
unambiguous description of the model with the need for a rendition that can be easily read and interpreted
by individuals who understand the general concepts underlying object-oriented models, but who may not
be schooled in formal model definition languages.
4.29
mandatory
If an attribute is designated as mandatory, all message elements which make use of this attribute must
contain a non-null value or they must have a default that is not null.
4.30
mandatory association
An association with a multiplicity minimum greater than zero on one end. A fully mandatory association is
one with a multiplicity minimum greater than zero on both ends.
4.31
methodology
Methods or rules followed in a particular discipline.
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4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS ISO 21731:2005(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003
4.32
model
A representation of a domain that uses abstraction to express the relevant concepts.
4.33
multiplicity
In the information model, multiplicity is a specification of the minimum and maximum number of objects from
each class that can participate in an association. Multiplicity is specified for each end of the association.
4.34
namespace
A namespace is a part of the model in which names are defined and used, where each name has a unique
meaning.
4.35
object
An instance of a class. A part of an information system containing a collection of related data (in the form
of attributes) and procedures (methods) for operating on that data.
4.36
object identity
The feature that the existence of an object is independent of any values associated with the object.
4.37
object-based
Any method, language, or system that supports object identity, classification, and encapsulation. An
object-based system does not support specialization . Ada is an example of an object-based implementation
language.
4.38
property
Any attribute, association, method, or state model defined for a class or object.
4.39
Reference Information Model
RIM
The HL7 information model from which all other information models (e.g., R-MIMs) and messages are
derived.
4.40
role
1. A function or position.
2. A Reference Information Model class that defines the competency of an Entity class. Each role is played
by one Entity (the Entity that is in the role) and is usually scoped by another.
3. In UML, each end of an association is designated as a role to reflect the function that class plays in the
association.
4.41
role name
See association role name.
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ISO 21731:2006(E) & ANSI/HL7 RIM R1-2003 4 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
4.42
set
A form of collection which contains an unordered list of unique elements of a single type.
4.43
specialization
An association between two classes (designated superclass and subclass), in which the subclass is derived
from the superclass. The subclass inherits all properties from the superclass, including attributes, relationships,
and states, but also adds new ones to extend the capabilities of the superclass.
4.44
state
A named condition of a class instance ( object) that can be tested by examination of the instance's attributes
and associations.
4.45
state attribute
An attribute describing the current state of an object.
4.46
state diagram
A graphi
...
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