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HL7 Component Table - DT - date

Seq#	Description	Implement	Flags	Cardinality	Length	C.LEN	Vocabulary	Data Type
DT
1	Date	SHALL	=	[0..1]	[4..8]	8

Definition: Specifies the century and year with optional precision to month and day.

The number of digits populated specifies the precision using the format specification YYYY[MM[DD]]. Thus:

1. only the first four digits are used to specify a precision of "year"

2. the first six are used to specify a precision of "month"

3. the first eight are used to specify a precision of "day"

Examples:

|19880704|

|199503|

The DT data type does not follow the normal truncation pattern, and the truncation character is never valid in the DT data type. Instead, the truncation behavior is based on the semantics of dates.

Unless specified in the context where the DT type is used, the DT type may not be truncated. When a DT is truncated, the truncated form SHALL still be a valid DT type. Systems should always be able to persist full dates. Refer to Chapter 2, section 2.5.5.2 "Truncation Pattern" for further information.