HL7 v2.7 Vocabulary
0.1.0 - ci-build

HL7 v2.7 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.v27/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

CodeSystem: Special Handling Code (2.7 - 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:

Properties

This code system defines the following properties for its concepts

NameCodeURITypeDescription
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:

CodeDisplayDefinitionversionIntroducedusage
AMB Ambient temperature Ambient temperature 2.5 Keep at ambient (room) temperature, approximately 22 ( 2 degrees C. Accidental refrigeration or freezing is of little consequence
C37 Body temperature Body temperature 2.4 Critical to keep at body temperature: 36 - 38( C.
CAMB Critical ambient temperature Critical ambient temperature 2.4 Critical ambient - must not be refrigerated or frozen.
CATM Protect from air Protect from air 2.4 Critical. Do not expose to atmosphere. Do not uncap.
CFRZ Critical frozen temperature Critical frozen temperature 2.4 Critical frozen - must not be allowed to thaw until immediately prior to testing
CREF Critical refrigerated temperature Critical refrigerated temperature 2.4 Critical refrigerated - must not be allowed to freeze or warm until immediately prior to testing
DFRZ Deep frozen Deep frozen 2.5 Deep frozen: -16 to -20( C.
DRY Dry Dry 2.5 Keep in a dry environment.
FRZ Frozen temperature Frozen temperature 2.5 Keep at frozen temperature: -4( C. Accidental thawing is of little consequence
MTLF Metal Free Metal Free 2.5 Container is free of heavy metals including lead.
NTR Liquid nitrogen Liquid nitrogen 2.5 Keep in liquid nitrogen.
PRTL Protect from light Protect from light 2.4 Protect from light (e.g., wrap in aluminum foil).
PSA Do not shake Do not shake 2.5 Do not shake.
PSO No shock No shock 2.5 Protect from shock.
REF Refrigerated temperature Refrigerated temperature 2.5 Keep at refrigerated temperature: 4-8( C. Accidental warming or freezing is of little consequence
UFRZ Ultra frozen Ultra frozen 2.5 Ultra cold frozen: ~ -75 to -85( C. (ultra cold freezer is typically at temperature of dry ice).
UPR Upright Upright 2.5 Keep upright. Do not turn upside down.