HL7 v2.5.1 Vocabulary
0.1.0 - ci-build

HL7 v2.5.1 Vocabulary, published by HL7/FO. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 0.1.0 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/frankoemig/hl7.v2.terminology.v251/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

## CodeSystem: Special Handling Code (2.5.1 - 1.1.0) (Experimental)

Official URL: http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/specialHandling | Version: 1.1.0
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

Properties

This code system defines the following properties for its concepts

Name | Code | URI | Type | Description
versionIntroduced | versionIntroduced | http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#versionIntroduced | string | version when was this code introduced
versionDeprecated | versionDeprecated | http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#versionDeprecated | string | version when was this code deprecated
status | status | http://hl7.org/fhir/concept-properties#status | code | A code that indicates the status of the concept. Typical values are active, experimental, deprecated, and retired
comment | comment | http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#comment | string | A string that provides additional detail pertinent to the use or understanding of the concept
usage | usage | http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#usage | string | usage notes for this code
modified | modified | http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#modified | dateTime | date of last modification

Concepts

This case-sensitive code system `http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/specialHandling` defines the following codes:

Code | Display | Definition | versionIntroduced
AMB | Ambient temperature | Ambient temperature | 2.5
C37 | Body temperature | Body temperature | 2.4
CAMB | Critical ambient temperature | Critical ambient temperature | 2.4
CATM | Protect from air | Protect from air | 2.4
CFRZ | Critical frozen temperature | Critical frozen temperature | 2.4
CREF | Critical refrigerated temperature | Critical refrigerated temperature | 2.4
DFRZ | Deep frozen | Deep frozen | 2.5
DRY | Dry | Dry | 2.5
FRZ | Frozen temperature | Frozen temperature | 2.5
MTLF | Metal Free | Metal Free | 2.5
NTR | Liquid nitrogen | Liquid nitrogen | 2.5
PRTL | Protect from light | Protect from light | 2.4
PSA | Do not shake | Do not shake | 2.5
PSO | No shock | No shock | 2.5
REF | Refrigerated temperature | Refrigerated temperature | 2.5
UFRZ | Ultra frozen | Ultra frozen | 2.5
UPR | Upright | Upright | 2.5