# Special Handling Code (2.4 - 1.0.0) - HL7 v2.4 Vocabulary v0.1.0

* [**Table of Contents**](toc.md)
* [**Artifacts Summary**](artifacts.md)
* **Special Handling Code (2.4 - 1.0.0)**

## CodeSystem: Special Handling Code (2.4 - 1.0.0) (Experimental) 

| | |
| :--- | :--- |
| *Official URL*:http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/specialHandling | *Version*:1.0.0 |
| Active as of 2026-01-27 | *Computable Name*:SpecialHandling |
| *Other Identifiers:*OID:2.16.840.1.113883.18.234 | |
| **Copyright/Legal**: HL7 Inc., 2026 | |

 
Code system of concepts describing how a specimen and/or container needs to be handled from the time of collection through the initiation of testing. Used in HL7 Version 2.x messaging in the SPM, SAC, PAC and OM4 segments. 

 This Code system is referenced in the content logical definition of the following value sets: 

* [Hl7VSspecialHandlingConsiderations](ValueSet-hl7VSspecialHandlingConsiderations.md)



## Resource Content

```json
{
  "resourceType" : "CodeSystem",
  "id" : "specialHandling",
  "extension" : [
    {
      "url" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/StructureDefinition/codesystem-v2versionCreated",
      "valueString" : "2.4"
    },
    {
      "url" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/StructureDefinition/codesystem-versionHistory",
      "valueString" : "generate correct history somehow"
    },
    {
      "url" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/StructureDefinition/codesystem-tableNo",
      "valueString" : "0376"
    }
  ],
  "url" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/specialHandling",
  "identifier" : [
    {
      "system" : "urn:ietf:rfc:3986",
      "value" : "urn:oid:2.16.840.1.113883.18.234"
    }
  ],
  "version" : "1.0.0",
  "name" : "SpecialHandling",
  "title" : "Special Handling Code (2.4 - 1.0.0)",
  "status" : "active",
  "experimental" : true,
  "date" : "2026-01-27T19:23:17+00:00",
  "publisher" : "HL7/FO",
  "contact" : [
    {
      "name" : "HL7/FO",
      "telecom" : [
        {
          "system" : "url",
          "value" : "http://www.hl7.org"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "description" : "Code system of concepts describing how a specimen and/or container needs to be handled from the time of collection through the initiation of testing.  Used in HL7 Version 2.x messaging in the SPM, SAC, PAC and OM4 segments.",
  "copyright" : "HL7 Inc., 2026",
  "caseSensitive" : true,
  "compositional" : false,
  "content" : "complete",
  "property" : [
    {
      "code" : "versionIntroduced",
      "uri" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#versionIntroduced",
      "description" : "version when was this code introduced",
      "type" : "string"
    },
    {
      "code" : "versionDeprecated",
      "uri" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#versionDeprecated",
      "description" : "version when was this code deprecated",
      "type" : "string"
    },
    {
      "code" : "status",
      "uri" : "http://hl7.org/fhir/concept-properties#status",
      "description" : "A code that indicates the status of the concept. Typical values are active, experimental, deprecated, and retired",
      "type" : "code"
    },
    {
      "code" : "comment",
      "uri" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#comment",
      "description" : "A string that provides additional detail pertinent to the use or understanding of the concept",
      "type" : "string"
    },
    {
      "code" : "usage",
      "uri" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#usage",
      "description" : "usage notes for this code",
      "type" : "string"
    },
    {
      "code" : "modified",
      "uri" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#modified",
      "description" : "date of last modification",
      "type" : "dateTime"
    }
  ],
  "concept" : [
    {
      "code" : "C37",
      "display" : "Critical maintain at 37C (e.g., cryoglobulin specimen",
      "definition" : "Critical maintain at 37C (e.g., cryoglobulin specimen",
      "property" : [
        {
          "code" : "versionIntroduced",
          "valueString" : "2.4"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "code" : "CAMB",
      "display" : "Critical ambient temperature",
      "definition" : "Critical ambient temperature",
      "property" : [
        {
          "code" : "versionIntroduced",
          "valueString" : "2.4"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "code" : "CATM",
      "display" : "Critical do not expose to atmosphere - Do not uncap",
      "definition" : "Critical do not expose to atmosphere - Do not uncap",
      "property" : [
        {
          "code" : "versionIntroduced",
          "valueString" : "2.4"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "code" : "CFRZ",
      "display" : "Critical Frozen",
      "definition" : "Critical Frozen",
      "property" : [
        {
          "code" : "versionIntroduced",
          "valueString" : "2.4"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "code" : "CREF",
      "display" : "Critical refrigerated",
      "definition" : "Critical refrigerated",
      "property" : [
        {
          "code" : "versionIntroduced",
          "valueString" : "2.4"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "code" : "PRTL",
      "display" : "Protect from light",
      "definition" : "Protect from light",
      "property" : [
        {
          "code" : "versionIntroduced",
          "valueString" : "2.4"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

```
