Object Identifier (OID)

An Object Identifier (OID) is a unique numeric string used in Canadian digital health standards to distinguish and identify objects across different systems. OIDs ensure that health information, such as patient records, clinical terminology, and data sets, is uniquely recognized and accurately interpreted when exchanged between systems.

By assigning standardized, globally recognized identifiers, OIDs enhance interoperability, enabling seamless and consistent data sharing across healthcare organizations, jurisdictions, and digital health applications.

Pan-Canadian Standards use Object Identifiers (OIDs) to distinguish between objects by assigning a numeric string that enables other systems to understand the unique information that is being shared between various systems.

Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), as the HL7 Canada Affiliate, has an arrangement in place with HL7 International that allows Infoway to submit OIDs to HL7 International free of charge, on behalf of Canadian Implementers who are members of the HL7 Canada Affiliate. There is a $500 USD fee per OID request if done directly with HL7 International and approval is required from HL7 Canada.

To submit an OID, follow the submission guidelines and download the registration form that corresponds to your OID request.

• For Infoway owned ValueSet (Subset)s, email the completed form via Contact Us
• For all non-jurisdictional requests, please follow the instructions below
• All other requests must be sent to the Jurisdictional Representatives for OIDs

OID submission guidelines

1. Jurisdictional Teams require 5-7 business days to process each request. It will be incumbent on the requestor to reply within this time frame to any questions and follow up as required. Any failure to do so will result in an automatic rejection and require resubmitting the request.
2. The Requestor must post the OID requests on the following forums ONLY after consulting with the Jurisdiction/Infoway SME:
   • For jurisdictional/non-jurisdictional OID Requests: HL7 Canada Community and FHIR Implementation WG
   • For ValueSet (Subset) OID Requests: Public Health Surveillance and Health Terminologies.
   
   TIP How to upload and link a document to an InfoCentral Forum
   
   
3. Forum posts shall have the following format:
   
   Subject: New Namespace/CodeSystem/ValueSet (Subset) OID Request
   • OID Description: “A description of the OID”
   • OID Symbolic name: Symbolic name guidelines
   • Responsible Body & Contact Information
   • Proposed FHIR URI: URI as per URI Guidelines
   • To be published: Canadian URI Registry/Terminology Server
     
     
   Subject: Edit Namespace/CodeSystem/ValueSet (Subset) OID Request
   • OID: “The actual OID ex. 2.16.840.1.113883.x.xxxx”
   • Responsible Body & Contact Information
   • Description of Requested Change
     
     
   Subject: Deprecate Namespace/CodeSystem/ValueSet (Subset) OID Request
   • OID: “The actual OID ex. 2.16.840.1.113883.x.xxxx”
   • Responsible Body & Contact Information
   • Reason for Deprecation
   • Superseded by OID, if any: The OID that should be used instead. Ex. 2.16.840.1.113883.x.xxxx
     
     
4. There will be a waiting period of 5 business days for the communities to react to the forum post with comments, questions or requests for clarification.
5. FHIR URIs must be proposed for all jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional OID requests according to the URI Guidelines and must be published in the Canadian URI Registry. Publishing the URI is an optional but highly recommended step. The Requestor will submit a validated FHIR® NamingSystem resource object based on the NamingSystem profile to their jurisdictional representative who will then upload it.
6. FHIR URIs must not be proposed for ValueSets (Subsets) to be published on the Terminology Server as they will be generated automatically.
7. The Forum post will be updated with the new OID.