Attachment

A digital object or a file that supplements a structured narrative document or observation, by providing additional clinical evidence (e.g., key images, waveforms, or other supporting documentation), and is linked to a report or a study.

Constraints

  • XOR: Clinical Document, Clinical Document Section, Document Reference

Stereotype(s)

n/a

Attributes

AttributeTypeMultiplicityAttribute note
Attachment Content Type Code Codeable Concept 1
Uniquely specifies a MIME (short for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type of an attachment (e.g., PDF, TIFF). Value Set: To be developed.
Attachment Language Code Codeable Concept 0..1
Uniquely specifies the human language of the attachment's content (e.g., English, French). Value Set: To be developed.
Attachment Title String 0..1
A clear, descriptive name that helps users quickly identify the attached file and understand its purpose.
Attachment Data File 1
The binary content of an attachment provided inline, typically encoded (for example, using Base64).

Relationships

From class From multiplicity Relationship To class To multiplicity
Clinical Document Section 0..* has (aggregation) Attachment 0..*
Clinical Document 0..* has (aggregation) Attachment 0..*
Diagnostic Report 0..* has (composition) Attachment 0..*
Document Reference 0..* has (aggregation) Attachment 0..*
Patient Consent 0..* has (aggregation) Attachment 0..*

Contact us

If you have questions about this initiative, would like to be added to our stakeholder notification list or would like to participate in our consultations, please email us.

connectedcare@cihi.ca

How to cite:

Canadian Institute for Health Information. Attachment. Accessed November 02, 2026.