HL7 MA Multiplexed Array
HL7 datatype components MA components from HL7 v2.5.1 Hide components
These are the generated components for the version selected at the top of the page. The article stays practical, and this panel follows the chosen HL7 version.
Components
| Pos | Component | Name | Type | Table | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MA.1 | Sample 1 From Channel 1 | NM | Sample 1 From Channel 1; Type NM. | |
| 2 | MA.2 | Sample 1 From Channel 2 | NM | Sample 1 From Channel 2; Type NM. | |
| 3 | MA.3 | Sample 1 From Channel N | NM | Sample 1 From Channel N; Type NM. | |
| 4 | MA.4 | Sample 2 From Channel 1 | NM | Sample 2 From Channel 1; Type NM. | |
| 5 | MA.5 | Sample 2 From Channel N | NM | Sample 2 From Channel N; Type NM. | |
| 6 | MA.6 | Sample N From Channel N | NM | Sample N From Channel N; Type NM. |
MA is a multiplexed numeric array used for waveform data. It is a specialist datatype; if your interface is not moving waveform samples, you usually only need to recognize it in the reference.
You will mostly meet MA in waveform-related profiles. If your interface is not moving waveform observations, it is enough to recognize the datatype and leave the detailed handling to the profile that introduces it.
The component panel above is expanded by default because most datatype pages are used as quick lookup pages. Start there for the exact HL7 v2.5.1 shape, then use the notes below for the practical gotchas.
MA-1 to MA-6: Component Quick Read
The generated component panel above is the formal quick lookup. The short version is below so you can scan the shape without counting carets by eye.
- MA-1 Sample 1 From Channel 1 - Sample 1 From Channel 1. Type NM.
- MA-2 Sample 1 From Channel 2 - Sample 1 From Channel 2. Type NM.
- MA-3 Sample 1 From Channel N - Sample 1 From Channel N. Type NM.
- MA-4 Sample 2 From Channel 1 - Sample 2 From Channel 1. Type NM.
- MA-5 Sample 2 From Channel N - Sample 2 From Channel N. Type NM.
- MA-6 Sample N From Channel N - Sample N From Channel N. Type NM.
Practical Notes
Keep numeric values numeric. Do not mix display formatting, unit text, or currency labels into the number component when the datatype has a separate place for that meaning. A format validator for whole numbers or decimals is a simple way to catch this before the receiving system has to complain.
In HL7 Soup Web, click a field that uses MA and the interpretation view will show which component you are sitting in and where that value lives in the raw message. That is especially handy with compact datatypes because one missing caret can move every value after it.
Official and Reference Notes
For formal reference, compare the generated HL7 v2.5.1 panel above with the HL7 v2.5.1 datatype list and the HL7 Terminology data type code system. Local implementation guides can narrow allowed values, tables, and component usage.
Related Datatypes
Related quick lookups: NM.