SNOMED CT Implementation Guide for FHIR
0.0.1 - CI Build
SNOMED CT Implementation Guide for FHIR
0.0.1 - CI Build
SNOMED CT Implementation Guide for FHIR, published by SNOMED on FHIR project group. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 0.0.1 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/IHTSDO/snomed-ig/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions
| Official URL: http://snomed.info/fhir/StructureDefinition/snomed-specimen | Version: 0.0.1 | |||
| Active as of 2026-01-05 | Computable Name: SnomedSpecimen | |||
Profile of the Specimen resource for use with SNOMED CT coding.
Usages:
You can also check for usages in the FHIR IG Statistics
Description of Profiles, Differentials, Snapshots and how the different presentations work.
| Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter:   |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  Specimen |
0..* | Specimen | Sample for analysis | |
  implicitRules |
?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created |
 modifierExtension |
?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored |
| status |
?!Σ | 0..1 | code | available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen. |
  type |
Σ | 1..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of material that forms the specimen Binding: Specimen Value Set (extensible) |
| Documentation for this format | ||||
| Path | Status | Usage | ValueSet | Version | Source |
| Specimen.status | Base | required | SpecimenStatus | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.type | Base | extensible | Specimen Value Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Id | Grade | Path(s) | Description | Expression |
| dom-2 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources |
contained.contained.empty()
|
| dom-3 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource |
contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty()
|
| dom-4 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated |
contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty()
|
| dom-5 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label |
contained.meta.security.empty()
|
| dom-6 | best practice | Specimen | A resource should have narrative for robust management |
text.`div`.exists()
|
| ele-1 | error | **ALL** elements | All FHIR elements must have a @value or children |
hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
|
| ext-1 | error | **ALL** extensions | Must have either extensions or value[x], not both |
extension.exists() != value.exists()
|
This structure is derived from Specimen
| Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen |
0..* | Specimen | Sample for analysis | |
 type |
1..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of material that forms the specimen Binding: Specimen Value Set (extensible) | |
 collection |
||||
 method |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Technique used to perform collection Binding: Specimen Collection Method ValueSet (extensible) | |
| bodySite |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Anatomical collection site Binding: Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set (extensible) | |
 processing |
||||
 procedure |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Indicates the treatment step applied to the specimen Binding: Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet (extensible) | |
| Documentation for this format | ||||
| Path | Status | Usage | ValueSet | Version | Source |
| Specimen.type | Base | extensible | Specimen Value Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.method | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Method ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.bodySite | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.processing.procedure | Base | extensible | Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen |
0..* | Specimen | Sample for analysis | |||||
| id |
Σ | 0..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact | ||||
| meta |
Σ | 0..1 | Meta | Metadata about the resource | ||||
| implicitRules |
?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created | ||||
| language |
0..1 | code | Language of the resource content Binding: CommonLanguages (preferred): A human language.
| |||||
| text |
0..1 | Narrative | Text summary of the resource, for human interpretation This profile does not constrain the narrative in regard to content, language, or traceability to data elements | |||||
| contained |
0..* | Resource | Contained, inline Resources | |||||
 extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored | ||||
| identifier |
Σ | 0..* | Identifier | External Identifier | ||||
| accessionIdentifier |
Σ | 0..1 | Identifier | Identifier assigned by the lab | ||||
| status |
?!Σ | 0..1 | code | available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen. | ||||
| type |
Σ | 1..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of material that forms the specimen Binding: Specimen Value Set (extensible) | ||||
 subject |
Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Patient | Group | Device | Substance | Location) | Where the specimen came from. This may be from patient(s), from a location (e.g., the source of an environmental sample), or a sampling of a substance or a device | ||||
| receivedTime |
Σ | 0..1 | dateTime | The time when specimen was received for processing | ||||
| parent |
0..* | Reference(Specimen) | Specimen from which this specimen originated | |||||
| request |
0..* | Reference(ServiceRequest) | Why the specimen was collected | |||||
| collection |
0..1 | BackboneElement | Collection details | |||||
| id |
0..1 | string | Unique id for inter-element referencing | |||||
| extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized | ||||
| collector |
Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) | Who collected the specimen | ||||
 collected[x] |
Σ | 0..1 | Collection time | |||||
| collectedDateTime |
dateTime | |||||||
| collectedPeriod |
Period | |||||||
| duration |
Σ | 0..1 | Duration | How long it took to collect specimen | ||||
| quantity |
0..1 | SimpleQuantity(4.0.1) | The quantity of specimen collected | |||||
| method |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Technique used to perform collection Binding: Specimen Collection Method ValueSet (extensible) | |||||
| bodySite |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Anatomical collection site Binding: Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set (extensible) | |||||
| fastingStatus[x] |
Σ | 0..1 | Whether or how long patient abstained from food and/or drink Binding: hl7VS-relevantClincialInformation (extensible): Codes describing the fasting status of the patient. | |||||
| fastingStatusCodeableConcept |
CodeableConcept | |||||||
| fastingStatusDuration |
Duration | |||||||
| processing |
0..* | BackboneElement | Processing and processing step details | |||||
| id |
0..1 | string | Unique id for inter-element referencing | |||||
| extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized | ||||
| description |
0..1 | string | Textual description of procedure | |||||
| procedure |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Indicates the treatment step applied to the specimen Binding: Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet (extensible) | |||||
| additive |
0..* | Reference(Substance) | Material used in the processing step | |||||
| time[x] |
0..1 | Date and time of specimen processing | ||||||
| timeDateTime |
dateTime | |||||||
| timePeriod |
Period | |||||||
| container |
0..* | BackboneElement | Direct container of specimen (tube/slide, etc.) | |||||
| id |
0..1 | string | Unique id for inter-element referencing | |||||
| extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized | ||||
| identifier |
Σ | 0..* | Identifier | Id for the container | ||||
| description |
0..1 | string | Textual description of the container | |||||
| type |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of container directly associated with specimen Binding: SpecimenContainerType (example): Type of specimen container. | |||||
| capacity |
0..1 | SimpleQuantity(4.0.1) | Container volume or size | |||||
| specimenQuantity |
0..1 | SimpleQuantity(4.0.1) | Quantity of specimen within container | |||||
| additive[x] |
0..1 | Additive associated with container Binding: hl7VS-additivePreservative (example): Substance added to specimen container. | ||||||
| additiveCodeableConcept |
CodeableConcept | |||||||
| additiveReference |
Reference(Substance) | |||||||
| condition |
Σ | 0..* | CodeableConcept | State of the specimen Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible): Codes describing the state of the specimen. | ||||
| note |
0..* | Annotation | Comments | |||||
| Documentation for this format | ||||||||
| Path | Status | Usage | ValueSet | Version | Source |
| Specimen.language | Base | preferred | Common Languages | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.status | Base | required | SpecimenStatus | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.type | Base | extensible | Specimen Value Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.method | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Method ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.bodySite | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.fastingStatus[x] | Base | extensible | hl7VS-relevantClincialInformation | 📦2.0.0 | THO v7.0 |
| Specimen.processing.procedure | Base | extensible | Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.container.type | Base | example | Specimen Container Type | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.container.additive[x] | Base | example | hl7VS-additivePreservative | 📦2.0.0 | THO v7.0 |
| Specimen.condition | Base | extensible | hl7VS-specimenCondition | 📦2.0.0 | THO v7.0 |
| Id | Grade | Path(s) | Description | Expression |
| dom-2 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources |
contained.contained.empty()
|
| dom-3 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource |
contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty()
|
| dom-4 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated |
contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty()
|
| dom-5 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label |
contained.meta.security.empty()
|
| dom-6 | best practice | Specimen | A resource should have narrative for robust management |
text.`div`.exists()
|
| ele-1 | error | **ALL** elements | All FHIR elements must have a @value or children |
hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
|
| ext-1 | error | **ALL** extensions | Must have either extensions or value[x], not both |
extension.exists() != value.exists()
|
This structure is derived from Specimen
Key Elements View
| Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen |
0..* | Specimen | Sample for analysis | |
| implicitRules |
?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created |
| modifierExtension |
?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored |
| status |
?!Σ | 0..1 | code | available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen. |
| type |
Σ | 1..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of material that forms the specimen Binding: Specimen Value Set (extensible) |
| Documentation for this format | ||||
| Path | Status | Usage | ValueSet | Version | Source |
| Specimen.status | Base | required | SpecimenStatus | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.type | Base | extensible | Specimen Value Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Id | Grade | Path(s) | Description | Expression |
| dom-2 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources |
contained.contained.empty()
|
| dom-3 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource |
contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty()
|
| dom-4 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated |
contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty()
|
| dom-5 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label |
contained.meta.security.empty()
|
| dom-6 | best practice | Specimen | A resource should have narrative for robust management |
text.`div`.exists()
|
| ele-1 | error | **ALL** elements | All FHIR elements must have a @value or children |
hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
|
| ext-1 | error | **ALL** extensions | Must have either extensions or value[x], not both |
extension.exists() != value.exists()
|
Differential View
This structure is derived from Specimen
| Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen |
0..* | Specimen | Sample for analysis | |
| type |
1..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of material that forms the specimen Binding: Specimen Value Set (extensible) | |
| collection |
||||
| method |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Technique used to perform collection Binding: Specimen Collection Method ValueSet (extensible) | |
| bodySite |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Anatomical collection site Binding: Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set (extensible) | |
| processing |
||||
| procedure |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Indicates the treatment step applied to the specimen Binding: Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet (extensible) | |
| Documentation for this format | ||||
| Path | Status | Usage | ValueSet | Version | Source |
| Specimen.type | Base | extensible | Specimen Value Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.method | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Method ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.bodySite | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.processing.procedure | Base | extensible | Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
Snapshot View
| Name | Flags | Card. | Type | Description & Constraints Filter: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen |
0..* | Specimen | Sample for analysis | |||||
| id |
Σ | 0..1 | id | Logical id of this artifact | ||||
| meta |
Σ | 0..1 | Meta | Metadata about the resource | ||||
| implicitRules |
?!Σ | 0..1 | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created | ||||
| language |
0..1 | code | Language of the resource content Binding: CommonLanguages (preferred): A human language.
| |||||
| text |
0..1 | Narrative | Text summary of the resource, for human interpretation This profile does not constrain the narrative in regard to content, language, or traceability to data elements | |||||
| contained |
0..* | Resource | Contained, inline Resources | |||||
| extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?! | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored | ||||
| identifier |
Σ | 0..* | Identifier | External Identifier | ||||
| accessionIdentifier |
Σ | 0..1 | Identifier | Identifier assigned by the lab | ||||
| status |
?!Σ | 0..1 | code | available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen. | ||||
| type |
Σ | 1..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of material that forms the specimen Binding: Specimen Value Set (extensible) | ||||
| subject |
Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Patient | Group | Device | Substance | Location) | Where the specimen came from. This may be from patient(s), from a location (e.g., the source of an environmental sample), or a sampling of a substance or a device | ||||
| receivedTime |
Σ | 0..1 | dateTime | The time when specimen was received for processing | ||||
| parent |
0..* | Reference(Specimen) | Specimen from which this specimen originated | |||||
| request |
0..* | Reference(ServiceRequest) | Why the specimen was collected | |||||
| collection |
0..1 | BackboneElement | Collection details | |||||
| id |
0..1 | string | Unique id for inter-element referencing | |||||
| extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized | ||||
| collector |
Σ | 0..1 | Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) | Who collected the specimen | ||||
| collected[x] |
Σ | 0..1 | Collection time | |||||
| collectedDateTime |
dateTime | |||||||
| collectedPeriod |
Period | |||||||
| duration |
Σ | 0..1 | Duration | How long it took to collect specimen | ||||
| quantity |
0..1 | SimpleQuantity(4.0.1) | The quantity of specimen collected | |||||
| method |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Technique used to perform collection Binding: Specimen Collection Method ValueSet (extensible) | |||||
| bodySite |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Anatomical collection site Binding: Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set (extensible) | |||||
| fastingStatus[x] |
Σ | 0..1 | Whether or how long patient abstained from food and/or drink Binding: hl7VS-relevantClincialInformation (extensible): Codes describing the fasting status of the patient. | |||||
| fastingStatusCodeableConcept |
CodeableConcept | |||||||
| fastingStatusDuration |
Duration | |||||||
| processing |
0..* | BackboneElement | Processing and processing step details | |||||
| id |
0..1 | string | Unique id for inter-element referencing | |||||
| extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized | ||||
| description |
0..1 | string | Textual description of procedure | |||||
| procedure |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Indicates the treatment step applied to the specimen Binding: Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet (extensible) | |||||
| additive |
0..* | Reference(Substance) | Material used in the processing step | |||||
| time[x] |
0..1 | Date and time of specimen processing | ||||||
| timeDateTime |
dateTime | |||||||
| timePeriod |
Period | |||||||
| container |
0..* | BackboneElement | Direct container of specimen (tube/slide, etc.) | |||||
| id |
0..1 | string | Unique id for inter-element referencing | |||||
| extension |
0..* | Extension | Additional content defined by implementations | |||||
| modifierExtension |
?!Σ | 0..* | Extension | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized | ||||
| identifier |
Σ | 0..* | Identifier | Id for the container | ||||
| description |
0..1 | string | Textual description of the container | |||||
| type |
0..1 | CodeableConcept | Kind of container directly associated with specimen Binding: SpecimenContainerType (example): Type of specimen container. | |||||
| capacity |
0..1 | SimpleQuantity(4.0.1) | Container volume or size | |||||
| specimenQuantity |
0..1 | SimpleQuantity(4.0.1) | Quantity of specimen within container | |||||
| additive[x] |
0..1 | Additive associated with container Binding: hl7VS-additivePreservative (example): Substance added to specimen container. | ||||||
| additiveCodeableConcept |
CodeableConcept | |||||||
| additiveReference |
Reference(Substance) | |||||||
| condition |
Σ | 0..* | CodeableConcept | State of the specimen Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible): Codes describing the state of the specimen. | ||||
| note |
0..* | Annotation | Comments | |||||
| Documentation for this format | ||||||||
| Path | Status | Usage | ValueSet | Version | Source |
| Specimen.language | Base | preferred | Common Languages | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.status | Base | required | SpecimenStatus | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.type | Base | extensible | Specimen Value Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.method | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Method ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.bodySite | Base | extensible | Specimen Collection Bodysite ValueSet Set | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.collection.fastingStatus[x] | Base | extensible | hl7VS-relevantClincialInformation | 📦2.0.0 | THO v7.0 |
| Specimen.processing.procedure | Base | extensible | Specimen Processing Procedure ValueSet | 📦0.0.1 | This IG |
| Specimen.container.type | Base | example | Specimen Container Type | 📍4.0.1 | FHIR Std. |
| Specimen.container.additive[x] | Base | example | hl7VS-additivePreservative | 📦2.0.0 | THO v7.0 |
| Specimen.condition | Base | extensible | hl7VS-specimenCondition | 📦2.0.0 | THO v7.0 |
| Id | Grade | Path(s) | Description | Expression |
| dom-2 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT contain nested Resources |
contained.contained.empty()
|
| dom-3 | error | Specimen | If the resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL be referred to from elsewhere in the resource or SHALL refer to the containing resource |
contained.where((('#'+id in (%resource.descendants().reference | %resource.descendants().as(canonical) | %resource.descendants().as(uri) | %resource.descendants().as(url))) or descendants().where(reference = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists() or descendants().where(as(canonical) = '#').exists()).not()).trace('unmatched', id).empty()
|
| dom-4 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a meta.versionId or a meta.lastUpdated |
contained.meta.versionId.empty() and contained.meta.lastUpdated.empty()
|
| dom-5 | error | Specimen | If a resource is contained in another resource, it SHALL NOT have a security label |
contained.meta.security.empty()
|
| dom-6 | best practice | Specimen | A resource should have narrative for robust management |
text.`div`.exists()
|
| ele-1 | error | **ALL** elements | All FHIR elements must have a @value or children |
hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())
|
| ext-1 | error | **ALL** extensions | Must have either extensions or value[x], not both |
extension.exists() != value.exists()
|
This structure is derived from Specimen
Other representations of profile: CSV, Excel, Schematron