HL7 v2.8.1 Vocabulary
0.2.0 - ci-build

HL7 v2.8.1 Vocabulary, published by HL7/FO. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 0.2.0 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.v281/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

## : Special Handling Code (2.8.1 - 1.1.0) - JSON Representation

Active as of 2026-03-13

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    {
      "resourceType" : "CodeSystem",
      "id" : "specialHandling",
      "text" : {
        "status" : "generated",
        "div" : "<div xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml\"><ul><li>Include all codes defined in <a href=\"CodeSystem-specialHandling.html\"><code>http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/specialHandling</code></a></li></ul></div>"
      },
      "extension" : [
        {
          "url" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/StructureDefinition/codesystem-v2versionCreated",
          "valueString" : "2.8.1"
        },
        {
          "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"
        },
        {
          "system" : "urn:ietf:rfc:3986",
          "value" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/v2-0376"
        }
      ],
      "version" : "1.1.0",
      "name" : "SpecialHandling",
      "title" : "Special Handling Code (2.8.1 - 1.1.0)",
      "status" : "active",
      "experimental" : true,
      "date" : "2026-03-13T11:11:38+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" : "AMB",
          "display" : "Ambient temperature",
          "definition" : "Ambient temperature",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Keep at ambient (room) temperature, approximately 22 ( 2 degrees C. Accidental refrigeration or freezing is of little consequence"
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "C37",
          "display" : "Body temperature",
          "definition" : "Body temperature",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Critical to keep at body temperature: 36 - 38( C."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.4"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "CAMB",
          "display" : "Critical ambient temperature",
          "definition" : "Critical ambient temperature",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Critical ambient - must not be refrigerated or frozen."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.4"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "CATM",
          "display" : "Protect from air",
          "definition" : "Protect from air",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Critical. Do not expose to atmosphere. Do not uncap."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.4"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "CFRZ",
          "display" : "Critical frozen temperature",
          "definition" : "Critical frozen temperature",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Critical frozen - must not be allowed to thaw until immediately prior to testing"
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.4"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "CREF",
          "display" : "Critical refrigerated temperature",
          "definition" : "Critical refrigerated temperature",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Critical refrigerated -  must not be allowed to freeze or warm until immediately prior to testing"
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.4"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "DFRZ",
          "display" : "Deep frozen",
          "definition" : "Deep frozen",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Deep frozen: -16 to -20( C."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "DRY",
          "display" : "Dry",
          "definition" : "Dry",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Keep in a dry environment."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "FRZ",
          "display" : "Frozen temperature",
          "definition" : "Frozen temperature",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Keep at frozen temperature: -4( C. Accidental thawing is of little consequence"
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "MTLF",
          "display" : "Metal Free",
          "definition" : "Metal Free",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Container is free of heavy metals including lead."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "NTR",
          "display" : "Liquid nitrogen",
          "definition" : "Liquid nitrogen",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Keep in liquid nitrogen."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "PRTL",
          "display" : "Protect from light",
          "definition" : "Protect from light",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Protect from light (e.g., wrap in aluminum foil)."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.4"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "PSA",
          "display" : "Do not shake",
          "definition" : "Do not shake",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Do not shake."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "PSO",
          "display" : "No shock",
          "definition" : "No shock",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Protect from shock."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "REF",
          "display" : "Refrigerated temperature",
          "definition" : "Refrigerated temperature",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Keep at refrigerated temperature: 4-8( C. Accidental warming or freezing is of little consequence"
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "UFRZ",
          "display" : "Ultra frozen",
          "definition" : "Ultra frozen",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Ultra cold frozen: ~ -75 to -85( C. (ultra cold freezer is typically at temperature of dry ice)."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "code" : "UPR",
          "display" : "Upright",
          "definition" : "Upright",
          "property" : [
            {
              "code" : "usage",
              "valueString" : "Keep upright. Do not turn upside down."
            },
            {
              "code" : "versionIntroduced",
              "valueString" : "2.5"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }