HL7 Terminology (THO)
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This page is part of the HL7 Terminology (v5.2.0: Release) based on FHIR R4. This is the current published version in its permanent home (it will always be available at this URL). For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions

CodeSystem: NullFlavor

Official URL: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v3-NullFlavor Version: 2.1.0
Active as of 2019-03-20 Responsible: Health Level 7 Computable Name: NullFlavor
Other Identifiers: id: urn:oid:2.16.840.1.113883.5.1008

A collection of codes specifying why a valid value is not present.

This Code system is referenced in the content logical definition of the following value sets:

Properties

This code system defines the following properties for its concepts

CodeURITypeDescription
SpecializesCodingThe child code is a more narrow version of the concept represented by the parent code. I.e. Every child concept is also a valid parent concept. Used to allow determination of subsumption. Must be transitive, irreflexive, antisymmetric.
GeneralizesCodingInverse of Specializes. Only included as a derived relationship.
internalIdhttp://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/utg-concept-properties#v3-internal-idcodeThe internal identifier for the concept in the HL7 Access database repository.
statushttp://hl7.org/fhir/concept-properties#statuscodeDesignation of a concept's state. Normally is not populated unless the state is retired..
HL7usageNoteshttp://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/utg-concept-properties#HL7usageNotesstringHL7 Concept Usage Notes
subsumedByhttp://hl7.org/fhir/concept-properties#parentcodeThe concept code of a parent concept

Concepts

This code system http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v3-NullFlavor defines the following codes:

LvlCodeDisplayDefinitioninternalIdstatusHL7 Concept Usage NotesParent
1NI NoInformation**Description:**The value is exceptional (missing, omitted, incomplete, improper). No information as to the reason for being an exceptional value is provided. This is the most general exceptional value. It is also the default exceptional value.10610active
2  INV invalid**Description:**The value as represented in the instance is not a member of the set of permitted data values in the constrained value domain of a variable.22656activeNI
3    DER derived**Description:**An actual value may exist, but it must be derived from the provided information (usually an EXPR generic data type extension will be used to convey the derivation expressionexpression .22657activeINV
3    OTH other**Description:**The actual value is not a member of the set of permitted data values in the constrained value domain of a variable. (e.g., concept not provided by required code system). **Usage Notes**: This flavor and its specializations are most commonly used with the CD datatype and its flavors. However, it may apply to \*any\* datatype where the constraints of the type are tighter than can be conveyed. For example, a PQ that is for a true measured amount whose units are not supported in UCUM, a need to convey a REAL when the type has been constrained to INT, etc. With coded datatypes, this null flavor may only be used if the vocabulary binding has a coding strength of CNE. By definition, all local codes and original text are part of the value set if the coding strength is CWE.10616activeThis flavor and its specializations are most commonly used with the CD datatype and its flavors. However, it may apply to *any* datatype where the constraints of the type are tighter than can be conveyed. For example, a PQ that is for a true measured amount whose units are not supported in UCUM, a need to convey a REAL when the type has been constrained to INT, etc. With coded datatypes, this null flavor may only be used if the vocabulary binding has a coding strength of CNE. By definition, all local codes and original text are part of the value set if the coding strength is CWE.INV
4      NINF negative infinityNegative infinity of numbers.10618activeOTH
4      PINF positive infinityPositive infinity of numbers.10617activeOTH
3    UNC un-encoded**Description:** The actual value has not yet been encoded within the approved value domain. **Example**: Original text or a local code has been specified but translation or encoding to the approved value set has not yet occurred due to limitations of the sending system. Original text has been captured for a PQ, but not attempt has been made to split the value and unit or to encode the unit in UCUM. **Usage Notes**: If it is known that it is not possible to encode the concept, OTH should be used instead. However, use of UNC does not necessarily guarantee the concept will be encodable, only that encoding has not been attempted. Data type properties such as original text and translations may be present when this null flavor is included.22185activeIf it is known that it is not possible to encode the concept, OTH should be used instead. However, use of UNC does not necessarily guarantee the concept will be encodable, only that encoding has not been attempted. Data type properties such as original text and translations may be present when this null flavor is included.INV
2  MSK maskedThere is information on this item available but it has not been provided by the sender due to security, privacy or other reasons. There may be an alternate mechanism for gaining access to this information. Note: using this null flavor does provide information that may be a breach of confidentiality, even though no detail data is provided. Its primary purpose is for those circumstances where it is necessary to inform the receiver that the information does exist without providing any detail.17932activeNI
2  NA not applicableKnown to have no proper value (e.g., last menstrual period for a male).10611activeNI
2  UNK unknown**Description:**A proper value is applicable, but not known. **Usage Notes**: This means the actual value is not known. If the only thing that is unknown is how to properly express the value in the necessary constraints (value set, datatype, etc.), then the OTH or UNC flavor should be used. No properties should be included for a datatype with this property unless: 1. Those properties themselves directly translate to a semantic of "unknown". (E.g. a local code sent as a translation that conveys 'unknown') 2. Those properties further qualify the nature of what is unknown. (E.g. specifying a use code of "H" and a URL prefix of "tel:" to convey that it is the home phone number that is unknown.)10612activeThis means the actual value is not known. If the only thing that is unknown is how to properly express the value in the necessary constraints (value set, datatype, etc.), then the OTH or UNC flavor should be used. No properties should be included for a datatype with this property unless: Those properties themselves directly translate to a semantic of "unknown". (E.g. a local code sent as a translation that conveys 'unknown') Those properties further qualify the nature of what is unknown. (E.g. specifying a use code of "H" and a URL prefix of "tel:" to convey that it is the home phone number that is unknown.)NI
3    ASKU asked but unknownInformation was sought but not found (e.g., patient was asked but didn't know)10614activeUNK
4      NAV temporarily unavailableInformation is not available at this time but it is expected that it will be available later.10615activeASKU, NAVU
3    NASK not askedThis information has not been sought (e.g., patient was not asked)10613activeUNK
3    NAVU Not availableInformation is not available at this time (with no expectation regarding whether it will or will not be available in the future).23731activeUNK
4      NAVtemporarily unavailable
3    QS Sufficient Quantity**Description:**The specific quantity is not known, but is known to be non-zero and is not specified because it makes up the bulk of the material. e.g. 'Add 10mg of ingredient X, 50mg of ingredient Y, and sufficient quantity of water to 100mL.' The null flavor would be used to express the quantity of water.21436activeUNK
3    TRC traceThe content is greater than zero, but too small to be quantified.21386activeUNK
1NP not presentValue is not present in a message. This is only defined in messages, never in application data! All values not present in the message must be replaced by the applicable default, or no-information (NI) as the default of all defaults.10619retired

History

DateActionCustodianAuthorComment
2022-10-18reviseTSMGMarc DuteauFixing missing metadata; up-349
2022-02-17 00:00:32+1100reviseVocabulary WGGrahame GrievePopulate Missing caseSensitive property; UP-286
2020-05-06reviseVocabulary WGTed KleinMigrated to the UTG maintenance environment and publishing tooling.