HL7 v2.8.1 Vocabulary
0.1.0 - 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 0.1.0 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.v281/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

## CodeSystem: Special Handling Code (2.8.1 - 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 | usage
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.