This specification presents the standardized representation for the content and structure of human characteristics data for use in healthcare information systems, and may be extended to apply to characteristics of non-human living things, such as in data systems supporting veterinary medicine. This specification covers the logical representation of human characteristics data for individuals and populations, and the physical representation of human characteristics at the data tier of healthcare information systems. Conversely, the following provisions are outside the scope of this specification: the standardization of policy or regulation concerning the employment of human characteristics data described in this specification; the establishment or standardization of legal constraints over the use of human characteristics in conjunction with healthcare clinical or business processes; and addressing or standardizing personal privacy, medicolegal, and system security provisions associated with documenting human characteristics or storing human characteristics data.

1.1 This document presents a standardized representation for the content and structure of human characteristics data for use in healthcare information systems.

1.2 This specification may be extended to apply to characteristics of non-human living things, such as in data systems supporting veterinary medicine.

1.3 The following provisions are within the scope of this specification:

1.3.1 Logical representation of human characteristics data for individuals and populations.

1.3.2 Physical representation of human characteristics at the data tier of healthcare information systems.

1.4 The following provisions are outside the scope of this specification:

1.4.1 The standardization of policy or regulation concerning the employment of human characteristics data described in this specification.

1.4.2 The establishment or standardization of legal constraints over the use of human characteristics in conjunction with healthcare clinical or business processes.

1.4.3 Addressing or standardizing personal privacy, medicolegal, and system security provisions associated with documenting human characteristics or storing human characteristics data.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.