---
type: "operation"
title: "Patient $purge"
resource: "Patient"
operation: "purge"
---
# patient $purge

Purge Patient Record

**Description:** This operation is used to request the removal of all current and historical versions for all resources in a patient compartment.  The result will be an OperationOutcome with results and/or details about execution.

Following are some common `issue-type` values:
- `success` the request has been completed to the server's satisfaction - the patient and associated resources are no longer accessible
- `incomplete` the request is partially complete, but additional processing will continue (e.g., the server is continuing to clean out resources)

When supported, it is recommended (though not required) to support an [Asynchronous Request Pattern](async.html).

Note that the deletion of resources typically involves many policy decisions.  Implementers are expected to use this operation in conjunction with their policies for such a request - e.g., soft vs. hard delete, audibility/traceability, evaluation of referential integrity, etc.

**Affects State:** false

**System:** false

**Type:** false

**Instance:** true

**URL:** http://hl7.org/fhir/build/OperationDefinition/Patient-purge


## Parameters

- **return** [out] 0..1 OperationOutcome — Status and/or results of the purge request