Athena Core Implementation Guide
5.10.2 - release

Athena Core Implementation Guide - Local Development build (v5.10.2) built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) Build Tools. See the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: athenahealth Encounter

Official URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-encounter Version: 5.10.2
Active as of 2026-05-26 Computable Name: AthenahealthEncounter
Keywords: Wire Format

An interaction between a patient and healthcare provider(s) for the purpose of providing healthcare service(s) or assessing the health status of a patient.

A patient encounter is further characterized by the setting in which it takes place. An Encounter encompasses the lifecycle from pre-admission, the actual encounter (for ambulatory encounters), and admission, stay and discharge (for inpatient encounters). During the encounter the patient may move from practitioner to practitioner and location to location.

Usages:

  • This Profile is not used by any profiles in this Implementation Guide

You can also check for usages in the FHIR IG Statistics

Formal Views of Profile Content

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

This structure is derived from Encounter

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Encounter 0..* Encounter An interaction during which services are provided to the patient
... meta
.... lastUpdated 0..1 instant When the resource version last changed
... Slices for extension 1..* Extension Extension
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... extension:ahChartSharingGroup 0..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Chart Sharing Group
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-chart-sharing-group
.... extension:ahPractice 1..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Practice
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-practice
... statusHistory 0..0 List of past encounter statuses
... serviceType 0..0 Specific type of service
... priority 0..0 Indicates the urgency of the encounter
... subject 0..1 Reference(Patient) The patient present at the encounter
... episodeOfCare 0..0 Episode(s) of care that this encounter should be recorded against
... basedOn 0..0 The ServiceRequest that initiated this encounter
... participant
.... individual 0..1 Reference(Practitioner) Persons involved in the encounter other than the patient
... appointment 0..0 The appointment that scheduled this encounter
... length 0..0 Quantity of time the encounter lasted (less time absent)
... reasonReference 0..0 Reason the encounter takes place (reference)
... diagnosis 0..0 The list of diagnosis relevant to this encounter
... account 0..0 The set of accounts that may be used for billing for this Encounter
... hospitalization
.... preAdmissionIdentifier 0..0 Pre-admission identifier
.... origin 0..0 The location/organization from which the patient came before admission
.... admitSource 0..0 From where patient was admitted (physician referral, transfer)
.... reAdmission 0..0 The type of hospital re-admission that has occurred (if any). If the value is absent, then this is not identified as a readmission
.... dietPreference 0..0 Diet preferences reported by the patient
.... specialCourtesy 0..0 Special courtesies (VIP, board member)
.... specialArrangement 0..0 Wheelchair, translator, stretcher, etc.
.... destination 0..0 Location/organization to which the patient is discharged
... location
.... status 0..0 planned | active | reserved | completed
.... physicalType 0..0 The physical type of the location (usually the level in the location hierachy - bed room ward etc.)
.... period 0..0 Time period during which the patient was present at the location
... serviceProvider 0..0 The organization (facility) responsible for this encounter
... partOf 0..0 Another Encounter this encounter is part of

doco Documentation for this format
NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Encounter 0..* Encounter An interaction during which services are provided to the patient
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... Slices for extension 1..* Extension Extension
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... extension:ahChartSharingGroup 0..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Chart Sharing Group
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-chart-sharing-group
.... extension:ahPractice 1..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Practice
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-practice
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... class Σ 1..1 Coding Classification of patient encounter
Binding: ActEncounterCode (extensible): Classification of the encounter.
... subject Σ 0..1 Reference(Patient) The patient present at the encounter

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Encounter.status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.statusHistory.​status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1
Encounter.classHistory.​class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression
dom-2 error Encounter If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources contained.contained.empty()
dom-3 error Encounter 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-4 error Encounter 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-5 error Encounter If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label contained.meta.security.empty()
dom-6 best practice Encounter A resource should have narrative for robust management text.`div`.exists()
ele-1 error **ALL** elements All FHIR elements must have a @value or children hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
ext-1 error **ALL** extensions Must have either extensions or value[x], not both extension.exists() != value.exists()
NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Encounter 0..* Encounter An interaction during which services are provided to the patient
... id Σ 0..1 id Logical id of this artifact
... meta Σ 0..1 Meta Metadata about the resource
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... versionId Σ 0..1 id Version specific identifier
.... lastUpdated Σ 0..1 instant When the resource version last changed
.... source Σ 0..1 uri Identifies where the resource comes from
.... profile Σ 0..* canonical(StructureDefinition) Profiles this resource claims to conform to
.... security Σ 0..* Coding Security Labels applied to this resource
Binding: All Security Labels (extensible): Security Labels from the Healthcare Privacy and Security Classification System.
.... tag Σ 0..* Coding Tags applied to this resource
Binding: CommonTags (example): Codes that represent various types of tags, commonly workflow-related; e.g. "Needs review by Dr. Jones".
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... text 0..1 Narrative Text summary of the resource, for human interpretation
This profile does not constrain the narrative in regard to content, language, or traceability to data elements
... contained 0..* Resource Contained, inline Resources
... Slices for extension 1..* Extension Extension
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... extension:ahChartSharingGroup 0..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Chart Sharing Group
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-chart-sharing-group
.... extension:ahPractice 1..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Practice
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-practice
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... identifier Σ 0..* Identifier Identifier(s) by which this encounter is known
... status ?!Σ 1..1 code planned | arrived | triaged | in-progress | onleave | finished | cancelled +
Binding: EncounterStatus (required): Current state of the encounter.
... class Σ 1..1 Coding Classification of patient encounter
Binding: ActEncounterCode (extensible): Classification of the encounter.
... type Σ 0..* CodeableConcept Specific type of encounter
Binding: EncounterType (example): The type of encounter.
... subject Σ 0..1 Reference(Patient) The patient present at the encounter
... participant Σ 0..* BackboneElement List of participants involved in the encounter
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... type Σ 0..* CodeableConcept Role of participant in encounter
Binding: ParticipantType (extensible): Role of participant in encounter.
.... period 0..1 Period Period of time during the encounter that the participant participated
.... individual Σ 0..1 Reference(Practitioner) Persons involved in the encounter other than the patient
... period 0..1 Period The start and end time of the encounter
... reasonCode Σ 0..* CodeableConcept Coded reason the encounter takes place
Binding: EncounterReasonCodes (preferred): Reason why the encounter takes place.
... hospitalization 0..1 BackboneElement Details about the admission to a healthcare service
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... dischargeDisposition 0..1 CodeableConcept Category or kind of location after discharge
Binding: DischargeDisposition (example): Discharge Disposition.
... location 0..* BackboneElement List of locations where the patient has been
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... location 1..1 Reference(Location) Location the encounter takes place

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Encounter.meta.security Base extensible SecurityLabels 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.meta.tag Base example Common Tags 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.language Base preferred Common Languages 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.statusHistory.​status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1
Encounter.classHistory.​class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1
Encounter.type Base example Encounter type 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.participant.​type Base extensible Participant type 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.reasonCode Base preferred Encounter Reason Codes 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.diagnosis.​use Base preferred DiagnosisRole 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.hospitalization.​dischargeDisposition Base example Discharge disposition 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression
dom-2 error Encounter If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources contained.contained.empty()
dom-3 error Encounter 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-4 error Encounter 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-5 error Encounter If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label contained.meta.security.empty()
dom-6 best practice Encounter A resource should have narrative for robust management text.`div`.exists()
ele-1 error **ALL** elements All FHIR elements must have a @value or children hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
ext-1 error **ALL** extensions Must have either extensions or value[x], not both extension.exists() != value.exists()

This structure is derived from Encounter

Summary

Mandatory: 2 elements
Prohibited: 24 elements

Extensions

This structure refers to these extensions:

Differential View

This structure is derived from Encounter

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Encounter 0..* Encounter An interaction during which services are provided to the patient
... meta
.... lastUpdated 0..1 instant When the resource version last changed
... Slices for extension 1..* Extension Extension
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... extension:ahChartSharingGroup 0..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Chart Sharing Group
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-chart-sharing-group
.... extension:ahPractice 1..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Practice
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-practice
... statusHistory 0..0 List of past encounter statuses
... serviceType 0..0 Specific type of service
... priority 0..0 Indicates the urgency of the encounter
... subject 0..1 Reference(Patient) The patient present at the encounter
... episodeOfCare 0..0 Episode(s) of care that this encounter should be recorded against
... basedOn 0..0 The ServiceRequest that initiated this encounter
... participant
.... individual 0..1 Reference(Practitioner) Persons involved in the encounter other than the patient
... appointment 0..0 The appointment that scheduled this encounter
... length 0..0 Quantity of time the encounter lasted (less time absent)
... reasonReference 0..0 Reason the encounter takes place (reference)
... diagnosis 0..0 The list of diagnosis relevant to this encounter
... account 0..0 The set of accounts that may be used for billing for this Encounter
... hospitalization
.... preAdmissionIdentifier 0..0 Pre-admission identifier
.... origin 0..0 The location/organization from which the patient came before admission
.... admitSource 0..0 From where patient was admitted (physician referral, transfer)
.... reAdmission 0..0 The type of hospital re-admission that has occurred (if any). If the value is absent, then this is not identified as a readmission
.... dietPreference 0..0 Diet preferences reported by the patient
.... specialCourtesy 0..0 Special courtesies (VIP, board member)
.... specialArrangement 0..0 Wheelchair, translator, stretcher, etc.
.... destination 0..0 Location/organization to which the patient is discharged
... location
.... status 0..0 planned | active | reserved | completed
.... physicalType 0..0 The physical type of the location (usually the level in the location hierachy - bed room ward etc.)
.... period 0..0 Time period during which the patient was present at the location
... serviceProvider 0..0 The organization (facility) responsible for this encounter
... partOf 0..0 Another Encounter this encounter is part of

doco Documentation for this format

Key Elements View

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Encounter 0..* Encounter An interaction during which services are provided to the patient
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... Slices for extension 1..* Extension Extension
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... extension:ahChartSharingGroup 0..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Chart Sharing Group
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-chart-sharing-group
.... extension:ahPractice 1..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Practice
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-practice
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... class Σ 1..1 Coding Classification of patient encounter
Binding: ActEncounterCode (extensible): Classification of the encounter.
... subject Σ 0..1 Reference(Patient) The patient present at the encounter

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Encounter.status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.statusHistory.​status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1
Encounter.classHistory.​class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression
dom-2 error Encounter If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources contained.contained.empty()
dom-3 error Encounter 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-4 error Encounter 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-5 error Encounter If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label contained.meta.security.empty()
dom-6 best practice Encounter A resource should have narrative for robust management text.`div`.exists()
ele-1 error **ALL** elements All FHIR elements must have a @value or children hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
ext-1 error **ALL** extensions Must have either extensions or value[x], not both extension.exists() != value.exists()

Snapshot View

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Encounter 0..* Encounter An interaction during which services are provided to the patient
... id Σ 0..1 id Logical id of this artifact
... meta Σ 0..1 Meta Metadata about the resource
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... versionId Σ 0..1 id Version specific identifier
.... lastUpdated Σ 0..1 instant When the resource version last changed
.... source Σ 0..1 uri Identifies where the resource comes from
.... profile Σ 0..* canonical(StructureDefinition) Profiles this resource claims to conform to
.... security Σ 0..* Coding Security Labels applied to this resource
Binding: All Security Labels (extensible): Security Labels from the Healthcare Privacy and Security Classification System.
.... tag Σ 0..* Coding Tags applied to this resource
Binding: CommonTags (example): Codes that represent various types of tags, commonly workflow-related; e.g. "Needs review by Dr. Jones".
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... text 0..1 Narrative Text summary of the resource, for human interpretation
This profile does not constrain the narrative in regard to content, language, or traceability to data elements
... contained 0..* Resource Contained, inline Resources
... Slices for extension 1..* Extension Extension
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... extension:ahChartSharingGroup 0..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Chart Sharing Group
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-chart-sharing-group
.... extension:ahPractice 1..1 Reference(Organization) athenahealth Practice
URL: https://fhir.athena.io/StructureDefinition/ah-practice
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... identifier Σ 0..* Identifier Identifier(s) by which this encounter is known
... status ?!Σ 1..1 code planned | arrived | triaged | in-progress | onleave | finished | cancelled +
Binding: EncounterStatus (required): Current state of the encounter.
... class Σ 1..1 Coding Classification of patient encounter
Binding: ActEncounterCode (extensible): Classification of the encounter.
... type Σ 0..* CodeableConcept Specific type of encounter
Binding: EncounterType (example): The type of encounter.
... subject Σ 0..1 Reference(Patient) The patient present at the encounter
... participant Σ 0..* BackboneElement List of participants involved in the encounter
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... type Σ 0..* CodeableConcept Role of participant in encounter
Binding: ParticipantType (extensible): Role of participant in encounter.
.... period 0..1 Period Period of time during the encounter that the participant participated
.... individual Σ 0..1 Reference(Practitioner) Persons involved in the encounter other than the patient
... period 0..1 Period The start and end time of the encounter
... reasonCode Σ 0..* CodeableConcept Coded reason the encounter takes place
Binding: EncounterReasonCodes (preferred): Reason why the encounter takes place.
... hospitalization 0..1 BackboneElement Details about the admission to a healthcare service
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... dischargeDisposition 0..1 CodeableConcept Category or kind of location after discharge
Binding: DischargeDisposition (example): Discharge Disposition.
... location 0..* BackboneElement List of locations where the patient has been
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... location 1..1 Reference(Location) Location the encounter takes place

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Encounter.meta.security Base extensible SecurityLabels 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.meta.tag Base example Common Tags 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.language Base preferred Common Languages 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.statusHistory.​status Base required EncounterStatus 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1
Encounter.classHistory.​class Base extensible ActEncounterCode 📦3.0.0 THO v7.1
Encounter.type Base example Encounter type 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.participant.​type Base extensible Participant type 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.reasonCode Base preferred Encounter Reason Codes 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.diagnosis.​use Base preferred DiagnosisRole 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Encounter.hospitalization.​dischargeDisposition Base example Discharge disposition 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression
dom-2 error Encounter If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources contained.contained.empty()
dom-3 error Encounter 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-4 error Encounter 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-5 error Encounter If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label contained.meta.security.empty()
dom-6 best practice Encounter A resource should have narrative for robust management text.`div`.exists()
ele-1 error **ALL** elements All FHIR elements must have a @value or children hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
ext-1 error **ALL** extensions Must have either extensions or value[x], not both extension.exists() != value.exists()

This structure is derived from Encounter

Summary

Mandatory: 2 elements
Prohibited: 24 elements

Extensions

This structure refers to these extensions:

 

​Other representations of profile: CSV, Excel, Schematron