ERR — Error
Appears in ACK messages when processing fails (AE or AR codes). May appear multiple times for multiple errors.
The ERR segment provides detailed error information when a message fails processing. It is returned with NAK responses and contains structured error codes, severity levels, and diagnostic text to help identify root cause.
Real-World Context
ERR is your diagnostic tool when messages fail. The HL7 error code in ERR.3 tells you the category of failure, while the diagnostic info in ERR.7 gives you the raw system error. Always log the full ERR segment in your interface engine — it is far more useful than just the acknowledgment code alone.
Field Reference
Click any row to see the full description, common values, and troubleshooting tip.
| # | Field Name | Type | Req | Max Len | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Error Code and Location | ELD | O | 493 | ▶ |
| 2 | Error Location | ERL | O | 18 | ▶ |
| 3 | HL7 Error Code | CWE | R | 705 | ▶ |
| 4 | Severity | ID | O | 2 | ▶ |
| 5 | Application Error Code | CWE | O | 705 | ▶ |
| 6 | Application Error Parameter | ST | O | 80 | ▶ |
| 7 | Diagnostic Information | TX | O | 2048 | ▶ |
| 8 | User Message | TX | O | 250 | ▶ |
Example Segment
1ERR|||PID^1^5|102^Required field missing^HL70357|E|||Patient last name is required in PID.5.1
Related Segments
Used In Message Types
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