HL7 v2.9 Vocabulary
0.2.0 - ci-build

HL7 v2.9 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.v29/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

## CodeSystem: Specimen Role (2.9 - 1.2.0) (Experimental)

Official URL: http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/specimenRole | Version: 1.2.0
Active as of 2026-03-13 | Computable Name: SpecimenRole
Other Identifiers: OID:2.16.840.1.113883.18.227, urn:ietf:rfc:3986#Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)#http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/v2-0369
Copyright/Legal: HL7 Inc., 2026

HL7-defined code system of concepts that identify the role of a sample. Used in HL7 Version 2.x messaging in the Specimen (SPM) and Observation Request (OBR) segments.

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

- Hl7VSspecimenRole

Properties

This code system defines the following properties for its concepts

Name | Code | URI | Type | Description
version introduced | versionIntroduced | http://terminology.hl7.org/v2plusvocab/CodeSystem/Property#versionIntroduced | string | version when was this code introduced
version deprecated | 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, to suppress IG-publisher warning, to be replaced with standard later | 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/specimenRole` defines the following codes:

Code | Display | Definition | version introduced | comment, to suppress IG-publisher warning, to be replaced with standard later | modified
B | Blind Sample | Used to test the validity of the measurement process, where the composition of the sample is unknown except to the person submitting it. | 2.4 |  | 2019-07-23
C | Calibrator | Used for initial setting of calibration of the instrument. | 2.4 |  | 2019-07-23
E | Electronic QC | Used with manufactured reference providing signals that simulate QC results | 2.5 |  | 2019-07-23
F | Filler Organization Proficiency | Specimen used for testing proficiency of the organization performing the testing (Filler). | 2.5 |  | 2015-07-13
G | Group | Used when solid specimens consist of multiple individual elements that are not individually identified but can be separated again into the original specimens. The identifiers of the original specimens may be tracked. | 2.5 |  | 2019-07-23
H | Historical Specimen | This identifies a parent specimen to the specimen that is submitted for testing | 2.9 | The order of specimen processing can be derived from the SPM-3 value in all SPM segments in the message. More than one historical SPM can be submitted, each SPM describes one step in the derivation process of the specimen submitted for testing. | 2022-08-25
L | Pool | Used when aliquots of liquid individual specimens are combined to form a single specimen representing all of the components that are not individually identified. The identifiers of the original specimens may be tracked. | 2.5 |  | 2019-07-23
O | Operator Proficiency | Specimen used for testing Operator Proficiency. | 2.5 |  | 2019-07-23
P | Patient | Used for any patient sample. | 2.4 | If the component is not valued (blank) this represents the default meaning. | 2019-07-23
Q | Control specimen | Used when specimen is the control specimen (either positive or negative). | 2.4 |  | 2019-07-23
R | Replicate | Used when a patient sample is re-run as a control for a repeat test. | 2.4 |  | 2015-07-13
V | Verifying Calibrator | Used for periodic calibration checks. | 2.5 |  | 2019-07-23