Extend usage of ExecutionAndDeliveryTime

This is a page of type Category:InM Open Action Items.

• Working group: InM
• Author: René Spronk, on behalf of NICTIZ, the Netherlands.

Summary

This proposal seeks to extend the use of the (v3) QueryByParameter.executionAndDeliveryTime attribute and the equivalent (v2) RCP-4 field. The HL7 standard only specifies how executionAndDeliveryTime is to be interpreted if the query priority (RCP-1 or responsePriorityCode) is D (Deferred).

This proposal adds a definition for the interpretation of QueryByParameter.executionAndDeliveryTime/RCP-4 in case the query priority is I (Immediate).

Use-case

For Immediate queries: to specify a point in time before which the responding system should have send a response. This to avoid waiting for an undefined period of length by a system that has just sent a query.

The responding system may elect to send a query-response with zero results in it, forcing the querying system to send a 'query continuation interaction' to get hold of a next part of the result set.

Proposal

Current situation

From the current specifications (see quotes below) I conclude that:

• If the query priority is D, then executionAndDeliveryTime/RCP-4 should be interpreted as the point in time when the response should be sent.

The current definitions (especially in v3) are somewhat vague/incomplete:

Definition of RCP-4:

5.5.6.4    RCP-4   Execution and Delivery Time   (DTM)   01441
Definition:  Specifies the time the response is to be returned.  This
field is only valued when RCP-1-Query priority contains the value D
(Deferred).

The RIM specifies:

3.6.10.7 QuerySpec.executionAndDeliveryTime:: TS (0..1)
Definition:Specifies the time the response is to be returned.

Proposed extension

Proposed addition:

• If the query priority is I, then the responding system should send a response as soon as possible, but no later than the time specified executionAndDeliveryTime/RCP-4.

Impact

• v2: description of RCP-4.
  • Definition: Specifies the timing of the response. If RCP-1-Query priority contains the value I this field should be interpreted as 'the latest point in time the response should be returned'. If RCP-1-Query priority contains the value D this field should be interpreted as 'the exact point in time the response should be returned'.
• v3: (needs a harmonization proposal) QuerySpec.executionAndDeliveryTime
  • Definition: Specifies the timing of the response. If responsePriorityCode contains the value I this field should be interpreted as 'the latest point in time the response should be returned'. If responsePriorityCode contains the value D this field should be interpreted as 'the exact point in time the response should be returned'.