The RDF segment defines the content of the row data segments (RDT) in the Tabular Data Response Message (TBR). It is used in two ways:
As an optional segment in the SPQ message (Stored Procedure Request) or the VQQ (Virtual Table Query) message, this segment can be used to limit the number of columns returned and to specify what column positions the fields occupy (where supported, these features can be used to override the defaults for the particular query). If omitted, all fields defined for the query are returned in their default column order.
As a required segment on the tabular data response message (TBR), this segment defines the contents of the table row data (RDT) segments that follow.
SEQ |
LEN |
DT |
OPT |
RP/# |
TBL# |
ITEM# |
ELEMENT NAME |
1 |
3 |
NM |
R |
00701 |
Number of Columns per Row |
||
2 |
40 |
RCD |
R |
Y |
00702 |
Column Description |
2.24.18.0 RDF field definitions
Definition: This field specifies the number of data columns (and therefore the number of fields) contained within each row of returned data.
Components: <HL7 item number (ST)> ^ <HL7 data type (ST)> ^ <maximum column width (NM)>
Definition: Each repetition of this field consists of three components:
The HL7 item number, which identifies the field occupying the column. (Refer to Section 2.24.16.2, "Query/response format code (ID) 00697 for item numbering conventions).
The 2 or 3 character HL7 data type, as defined in Section 2.8, "Data types."
The maximum width of the column, as dictated by the responding system. (This may vary from the HL7-defined maximum field length.)