Datatypes R2 Issue 68

Introduction

There is a business need within two NHS CFH domains to represent a number for a 'text telephone' (a telephone which is designed for use by the hearing-impaired).

Having posted a request for suggestions to the MnM list, it was suggested that the following format be used:

<telecom use="PUB" value="x-text-tel:01392251289"/>

I intend to follow this format and use the 'x-text-tel:' prefix, and I am proposing that this format be added to the TEL datatype in the next release of the specification.

As Lloyd McKenzie suggested in a reply to my question, this will prevent variations from being invented to represent the same thing.

Comment

there is a problem here. For datatypes R2, since W3C have deprecated the fax uri type - it's all the same protocol for making the connection - then we have added FAX as a use type (HL7 WGM May 2006). Adding x-text-tel is the wrong solution here for the same reason - it should be added to the use codes. (Grahame Grieve)

However, using the same argument ftp:, http: and https: should also be deprecated since they may all have the value www.abc.com. The prefix is not just about the addressing scheme, but also incorporates part of the exchange protocol. Are tel: and x-text-tel: the same just because they share the same telephone number access protocol? Are all IP based protocols the same just because packets use the same form of addressing? Obviously not. Rene spronk 09:50, 6 October 2006 (CDT)

IP is not considered an exchange protocol, though perhaps there is a matter of style here. --GrahameGrieve 21:34, 11 January 2007 (CST)

Status

Proposed

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