Vital Records FHIR Messaging (VRFM) IG
2.0.0 - release

Vital Records FHIR Messaging (VRFM) IG - Local Development build (v2.0.0) built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) Build Tools. See the Directory of published versions

## Resource Profile: Cause of Death Coding Header

Official URL: http://cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/fhir/vital-records-messaging/StructureDefinition/VRM-CauseOfDeathCodingHeader | Version: 2.0.0
Active as of 2025-08-11 | Computable Name: CauseOfDeathCodingHeader

Cause of Death Coding Header

The CauseOfDeathCoding Message’s MessageHeader.response.identifier must equal the value of the MessageHeader.id property of the message that is being coded. When processing acknowledgements this identifier must be used to associate the coded information with the message that is being coded. This association is the basis for implementing reliable messaging.

The MessageHeader.eventURI should be set as follows:

- Death: http://nchs.cdc.gov/vrdr_causeofdeath_coding
- Fetal Death: http://nchs.cdc.gov/fd_causeofdeath_coding

Usages:

- Use this Profile: Cause of Death Coding Message and Coded Cause of Fetal Death Message
- Examples for this Profile: MessageHeader/CauseOfDeathCodingHeader-Example1 and MessageHeader/CodedCauseOfFetalDeathHeader-Example1

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.

- Key Elements Table
- Differential Table
- Snapshot Table
- Statistics/References
- All

Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: Bindings Constraints Obligations
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
MessageHeader |  | 0..* | MessageHeader | A resource that describes a message that is exchanged between systems
id | Σ | 1..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact
implicitRules | ?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created
modifierExtension | ?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored
Slices for event[x] | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Slice: Unordered, Closed by type:$this Binding: MessageEvent (example): One of the message events defined as part of this version of FHIR.
event[x]:eventUri | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Binding: Cause of Death Coding MessageHeader URI Values (required)
destination | Σ | 1..* | BackboneElement | Message destination application(s)
modifierExtension | ?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual destination address or id
source | Σ | 1..1 | BackboneElement | Message source application
modifierExtension | ?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual message source address or id
focus | Σ | 1..2 | Reference(Resource) | The actual content of the message
Documentation for this format

#### Terminology Bindings

Path | Conformance | ValueSet | URI
MessageHeader.event[x] | example | MessageEvent `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/message-events` From the FHIR Standard
MessageHeader.event[x]:eventUri | required | CauseOfDeathCodingURIVS `http://cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/fhir/vital-records-messaging/ValueSet/VRM-CauseOfDeathCodingHeaderURI-vs` From this IG

#### Constraints

Id | Grade | Path(s) | Details | Requirements
dom-2 | error | MessageHeader | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources : contained.contained.empty() |
dom-3 | error | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label : contained.meta.security.empty() |
dom-6 | best practice | MessageHeader | 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 MessageHeader

Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: Bindings Constraints Obligations
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
MessageHeader |  | 0..* | MessageHeader | A resource that describes a message that is exchanged between systems
id |  | 1..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact
Slices for event[x] |  | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Slice: Unordered, Open by type:$this
event[x]:eventUri |  | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Binding: Cause of Death Coding MessageHeader URI Values (required)
destination |  | 1..* | BackboneElement | Message destination application(s)
response |  |  |  |
identifier |  | 1..1 | id | The value of the MessageHeader.id for the Death or Fetal Death Record message that is being coded
code |  | 1..1 | code | ok | transient-error | fatal-error Fixed Value: ok
focus |  | 1..2 | Reference(Resource) | The actual content of the message
Documentation for this format

#### Terminology Bindings (Differential)

Path | Conformance | ValueSet | URI
MessageHeader.event[x]:eventUri | required | CauseOfDeathCodingURIVS `http://cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/fhir/vital-records-messaging/ValueSet/VRM-CauseOfDeathCodingHeaderURI-vs` From this IG

Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: Bindings Constraints Obligations
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
MessageHeader |  | 0..* | MessageHeader | A resource that describes a message that is exchanged between systems
id | Σ | 1..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact
meta | Σ | 0..1 | Meta | Metadata about the resource
implicitRules | ?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created
language |  | 0..1 | code | Language of the resource content Binding: CommonLanguages (preferred): A human language.
Additional Bindings | Purpose
AllLanguages | Max Binding
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
extension |  | 0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations
modifierExtension | ?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored
Slices for event[x] | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Slice: Unordered, Closed by type:$this Binding: MessageEvent (example): One of the message events defined as part of this version of FHIR.
event[x]:eventUri | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Binding: Cause of Death Coding MessageHeader URI Values (required)
destination | Σ | 1..* | BackboneElement | Message destination application(s)
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
name | Σ | 0..1 | string | Name of system
target | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Device) | Particular delivery destination within the destination
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual destination address or id
receiver | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization) | Intended "real-world" recipient for the data
sender | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization) | Real world sender of the message
enterer | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) | The source of the data entry
author | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) | The source of the decision
source | Σ | 1..1 | BackboneElement | Message source application
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
name | Σ | 0..1 | string | Name of system
software | Σ | 0..1 | string | Name of software running the system
version | Σ | 0..1 | string | Version of software running
contact | Σ | 0..1 | ContactPoint | Human contact for problems
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual message source address or id
responsible | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization) | Final responsibility for event
reason | Σ | 0..1 | CodeableConcept | Cause of event Binding: ExampleMessageReasonCodes (example): Reason for event occurrence.
response | Σ | 0..1 | BackboneElement | If this is a reply to prior message
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
identifier | Σ | 1..1 | id | The value of the MessageHeader.id for the Death or Fetal Death Record message that is being coded
code | Σ | 1..1 | code | ok | transient-error | fatal-error Binding: ResponseType (required): The kind of response to a message. Fixed Value: ok
details | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(OperationOutcome) | Specific list of hints/warnings/errors
focus | Σ | 1..2 | Reference(Resource) | The actual content of the message
definition | Σ | 0..1 | canonical(MessageDefinition) | Link to the definition for this message
Documentation for this format

#### Terminology Bindings

Path | Conformance | ValueSet / Code | URI
MessageHeader.language | preferred | CommonLanguages `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/languages` From the FHIR Standard
Additional Bindings | Purpose
AllLanguages | Max Binding
MessageHeader.event[x] | example | MessageEvent `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/message-events` From the FHIR Standard
MessageHeader.event[x]:eventUri | required | CauseOfDeathCodingURIVS `http://cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/fhir/vital-records-messaging/ValueSet/VRM-CauseOfDeathCodingHeaderURI-vs` From this IG
MessageHeader.reason | example | ExampleMessageReasonCodes `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/message-reason-encounter` From the FHIR Standard
MessageHeader.response.code | required | Fixed Value: ok `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/response-code|4.0.1` From the FHIR Standard

#### Constraints

Id | Grade | Path(s) | Details | Requirements
dom-2 | error | MessageHeader | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources : contained.contained.empty() |
dom-3 | error | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label : contained.meta.security.empty() |
dom-6 | best practice | MessageHeader | 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 MessageHeader

Summary

Mandatory: 4 elements
Fixed: 1 element

Slices

This structure defines the following Slices:

- The element 1 is sliced based on the value of MessageHeader.event[x]

Key Elements View

Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: Bindings Constraints Obligations
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
MessageHeader |  | 0..* | MessageHeader | A resource that describes a message that is exchanged between systems
id | Σ | 1..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact
implicitRules | ?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created
modifierExtension | ?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored
Slices for event[x] | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Slice: Unordered, Closed by type:$this Binding: MessageEvent (example): One of the message events defined as part of this version of FHIR.
event[x]:eventUri | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Binding: Cause of Death Coding MessageHeader URI Values (required)
destination | Σ | 1..* | BackboneElement | Message destination application(s)
modifierExtension | ?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual destination address or id
source | Σ | 1..1 | BackboneElement | Message source application
modifierExtension | ?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual message source address or id
focus | Σ | 1..2 | Reference(Resource) | The actual content of the message
Documentation for this format

#### Terminology Bindings

Path | Conformance | ValueSet | URI
MessageHeader.event[x] | example | MessageEvent `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/message-events` From the FHIR Standard
MessageHeader.event[x]:eventUri | required | CauseOfDeathCodingURIVS `http://cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/fhir/vital-records-messaging/ValueSet/VRM-CauseOfDeathCodingHeaderURI-vs` From this IG

#### Constraints

Id | Grade | Path(s) | Details | Requirements
dom-2 | error | MessageHeader | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources : contained.contained.empty() |
dom-3 | error | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label : contained.meta.security.empty() |
dom-6 | best practice | MessageHeader | 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() |

Differential View

This structure is derived from MessageHeader

Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: Bindings Constraints Obligations
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
MessageHeader |  | 0..* | MessageHeader | A resource that describes a message that is exchanged between systems
id |  | 1..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact
Slices for event[x] |  | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Slice: Unordered, Open by type:$this
event[x]:eventUri |  | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Binding: Cause of Death Coding MessageHeader URI Values (required)
destination |  | 1..* | BackboneElement | Message destination application(s)
response |  |  |  |
identifier |  | 1..1 | id | The value of the MessageHeader.id for the Death or Fetal Death Record message that is being coded
code |  | 1..1 | code | ok | transient-error | fatal-error Fixed Value: ok
focus |  | 1..2 | Reference(Resource) | The actual content of the message
Documentation for this format

#### Terminology Bindings (Differential)

Path | Conformance | ValueSet | URI
MessageHeader.event[x]:eventUri | required | CauseOfDeathCodingURIVS `http://cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/fhir/vital-records-messaging/ValueSet/VRM-CauseOfDeathCodingHeaderURI-vs` From this IG

Snapshot View

Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: Bindings Constraints Obligations
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
MessageHeader |  | 0..* | MessageHeader | A resource that describes a message that is exchanged between systems
id | Σ | 1..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact
meta | Σ | 0..1 | Meta | Metadata about the resource
implicitRules | ?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created
language |  | 0..1 | code | Language of the resource content Binding: CommonLanguages (preferred): A human language.
Additional Bindings | Purpose
AllLanguages | Max Binding
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
extension |  | 0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations
modifierExtension | ?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored
Slices for event[x] | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Slice: Unordered, Closed by type:$this Binding: MessageEvent (example): One of the message events defined as part of this version of FHIR.
event[x]:eventUri | Σ | 1..1 | uri | Code for the event this message represents or link to event definition Binding: Cause of Death Coding MessageHeader URI Values (required)
destination | Σ | 1..* | BackboneElement | Message destination application(s)
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
name | Σ | 0..1 | string | Name of system
target | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Device) | Particular delivery destination within the destination
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual destination address or id
receiver | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization) | Intended "real-world" recipient for the data
sender | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization) | Real world sender of the message
enterer | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) | The source of the data entry
author | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) | The source of the decision
source | Σ | 1..1 | BackboneElement | Message source application
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
name | Σ | 0..1 | string | Name of system
software | Σ | 0..1 | string | Name of software running the system
version | Σ | 0..1 | string | Version of software running
contact | Σ | 0..1 | ContactPoint | Human contact for problems
endpoint | Σ | 1..1 | url | Actual message source address or id
responsible | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole | Organization) | Final responsibility for event
reason | Σ | 0..1 | CodeableConcept | Cause of event Binding: ExampleMessageReasonCodes (example): Reason for event occurrence.
response | Σ | 0..1 | BackboneElement | If this is a reply to prior message
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
identifier | Σ | 1..1 | id | The value of the MessageHeader.id for the Death or Fetal Death Record message that is being coded
code | Σ | 1..1 | code | ok | transient-error | fatal-error Binding: ResponseType (required): The kind of response to a message. Fixed Value: ok
details | Σ | 0..1 | Reference(OperationOutcome) | Specific list of hints/warnings/errors
focus | Σ | 1..2 | Reference(Resource) | The actual content of the message
definition | Σ | 0..1 | canonical(MessageDefinition) | Link to the definition for this message
Documentation for this format

#### Terminology Bindings

Path | Conformance | ValueSet / Code | URI
MessageHeader.language | preferred | CommonLanguages `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/languages` From the FHIR Standard
Additional Bindings | Purpose
AllLanguages | Max Binding
MessageHeader.event[x] | example | MessageEvent `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/message-events` From the FHIR Standard
MessageHeader.event[x]:eventUri | required | CauseOfDeathCodingURIVS `http://cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/fhir/vital-records-messaging/ValueSet/VRM-CauseOfDeathCodingHeaderURI-vs` From this IG
MessageHeader.reason | example | ExampleMessageReasonCodes `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/message-reason-encounter` From the FHIR Standard
MessageHeader.response.code | required | Fixed Value: ok `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/response-code|4.0.1` From the FHIR Standard

#### Constraints

Id | Grade | Path(s) | Details | Requirements
dom-2 | error | MessageHeader | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources : contained.contained.empty() |
dom-3 | error | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | 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 | MessageHeader | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label : contained.meta.security.empty() |
dom-6 | best practice | MessageHeader | 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 MessageHeader

Summary

Mandatory: 4 elements
Fixed: 1 element

Slices

This structure defines the following Slices:

- The element 1 is sliced based on the value of MessageHeader.event[x]

Other representations of profile: CSV, Excel, Schematron