Slicing

A StructureDefinition profiling technique for constraining heterogeneous repeating lists.

Definition

When an element repeats (cardinality above 1, e.g. Patient.identifier), slicing lets a profile impose different rules on each occurrence. The discriminator (by type: value, pattern, type, profile, exists; plus a path) says how to tell slices apart; rules (closed, open, openAtEnd) sets whether elements outside the slices are allowed. Essential for profiling Observation.component, Bundle.entry, and similar.

Origin

Defined by HL7 FHIR (Profiling, the 'Slicing' section and ElementDefinition.slicing.discriminator), specification maintained by HL7 International — see hl7.org/fhir/profiling.html#slicing.

Example in context

<slicing><discriminator><type value="pattern"/><path value="system"/></discriminator><rules value="open"/></slicing>

Related terms

• StructureDefinition — the resource where slicing is declared.