An address expressed using postal conventions (as opposed to GPS or other location definition formats). This data type may be used to convey addresses for use in delivering mail as well as for visiting locations which might not be valid for mail delivery. There are a variety of postal address formats defined around the world.

This datatype defines a common basis for expressing all addresses around the world, but adds extensions to express Dutch addresses specifically, according to the zib AddressInformation v1.1 (2020). A Dutch Address still is a proper FHIR Address, which means that systems that cannot interpret the extensions will still be able to render and work with this datatype.

To have true compatibility an implementer SHOULD use the core Address parts as intended. To have addresses work for Dutch context, the implementer SHOULD in addition use the extension elements.

Separate address parts

The first addition is that Dutch addresses make certain address parts separately communicable. These parts are required for use in true Dutch systems when dealing with Dutch addresses, but may not have value for international systems when information gets sent abroad.

Custom address types

The second addition is that the zib defines its own ValueSet for address types, which can only be partially expressed using the FHIR Address datatype and requires a mapping to multiple elements. The table below explains how the zib concepts are mapped to the various FHIR elements (see the ConceptMaps http://nictiz.nl/fhir/ConceptMap/AdresSoortCodelijst-to-AddressUse and http://nictiz.nl/fhir/ConceptMap/AdresSoortCodelijst-to-AddressType as well). The code from the zib should also be included using the extension on Address.extension:addressType.

If Address.type is both then this is to be understood as a dual purpose address (postal and physical), unless a specific postal type address is added. Systems that support importing it like this are encouraged to do so, otherwise they may need to import this as two separate addresses.

Note: FHIR core defines the AD-use extension to further specify the postal address type. However, the ValueSet used in that extension doesn't completely match the zib ValueSet. Therefore, a custom extension has been made. This doesn't preclude the use of the AD-use extension.

Note: address is intended to describe postal addresses for administrative purposes, not to describe absolute geographical coordinates. Postal addresses are often used as proxies for physical locations (also see the Location resource).

Optional Extension Element - found in all resources.

The type of address in question, such as a home address or mailing address.

The purpose of this address.

Applications can assume that an address is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Use ConceptMap AdresSoortCodelijst-to-AddressUse to translate terminology from the functional model to profile terminology in ValueSet AddressUse.

The use of an address.

Allows an appropriate address to be chosen from a list of many.

An address expressed using postal conventions (as opposed to GPS or other location definition formats). This data type may be used to convey addresses for use in delivering mail as well as for visiting locations which might not be valid for mail delivery. There are a variety of postal address formats defined around the world.

This datatype defines a common basis for expressing all addresses around the world, but adds extensions to express Dutch addresses specifically, according to the zib AddressInformation v1.1 (2020). A Dutch Address still is a proper FHIR Address, which means that systems that cannot interpret the extensions will still be able to render and work with this datatype.

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

• value @ url

Optional Extension Element - found in all resources.

The type of address in question, such as a home address or mailing address.

Applications can assume that an address is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.

Allows an appropriate address to be chosen from a list of many.

The type of address in question, such as a home address or mailing address.

The definition of Address states that "address is intended to describe postal addresses, not physical locations". However, many applications track whether an address has a dual purpose of being a location that can be visited as well as being a valid delivery destination, and Postal addresses are often used as proxies for physical locations (also see the Location resource).

Specifies the entire address as it should be displayed e.g. on a postal label. This may be provided instead of or as well as the specific parts.

Can provide both a text representation and parts. Applications updating an address SHALL ensure that when both text and parts are present, no content is included in the text that isn't found in a part.

A renderable, unencoded form.

This component contains the house number, apartment number, street name, street direction, P.O. Box number, delivery hints, and similar address information.

The mapping of zib AddressInformation on the FHIR Address datatype is the result of compatibility with HL7v3, which is the format that a lot of healthcare data in the Netherlands is stored in.

unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references)

An Extension

• value @ url

streetName.

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

An Extension

• value @ url

Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.

The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.

Street name of the address.

The number of a building, house or lot alongside the street. Also known as "primary street number". This does not number the street but rather the building.

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

An Extension

• value @ url

Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.

The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.

House number of the address.

Any alphabetic character, fraction or other text that may appear after the numeric portion of a building number.

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

An Extension

• value @ url

Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.

The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.

Export:

This can be a unit designator, such as apartment number, suite number, or floor. There may be several unit designators in an address (e.g., "3rd floor, Appt. 342"). This can also be a designator pointing away from the location, rather than specifying a smaller location within some larger one (e.g., Dutch "t.o." means "opposite to" for house boats located across the street facing houses).

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

An Extension

• value @ url

Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.

The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.

The indication used for addresses which do not consist of the usual street name and house number.

The mapping of zib AddressInformation on the FHIR Address datatype is the result of compatibility with HL7v3, which is the format that a lot of healthcare data in the Netherlands is stored in. As a result of this, the coded zib HouseNumberIndication concept (CD datatype) is mapped to a FHIR string datatype with a constraint added (the value can only be 'by' or 'to').

The number or name of a specific unit contained within a building or complex, as assigned by that building or complex.

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

An Extension

• value @ url

Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.

The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.

Extra information such as the building name, building number, entrance, route number.

The actual value

A geographically determined area which forms part of the municipal area. For Dutch places of residence, preferably use the name from the GBA, table 33 (OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.2.4.6.14).

Municipality of residence. For Dutch municipalities, preferably use the name from the GBA, table 33 (OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.2.4.6.14).

District is sometimes known as county, but in some regions 'county' is used in place of city (municipality), so county name should be conveyed in city instead.

Sub-unit of a country with limited sovereignty in a federally organized country. A code may be used if codes are in common use (e.g. US 2 letter state codes).

Postcode of the address. In Dutch addresses, preferably use the postcode from the Postcode table (OID: 2.16.840.1.113883.2.4.4.15).

Country - a nation as commonly understood or generally accepted.

The FHIR datatype does not properly support coding the country using a CodeableConcept or Coding datatype. If the sender supports coded countries, it SHALL send the coded value using the ext-CodeSpecification extension under Address.country.extension:countryCode.

unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references)

An Extension

• value @ url

Optional Extension Element - found in all resources.

Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.

May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.

There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.

• value @ url

Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.

The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.

Country in which the address is located.

The actual value

Time period when address was/is in use.

Allows addresses to be placed in historical context.