---
type: "resource-definitions"
title: "Specimen Definitions"
resource: "Specimen"
---

# Specimen Definitions

<a id="Specimen"></a>

## Specimen
Sample for analysis

**Definition:** A sample to be used for analysis.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Constraints:** spm-1 | error | Specimen.collection.collector SHALL only be present if Specimen.collection.procedure is not present | collection.collector.empty() or collection.procedure.empty()

**Mappings:** rim=Role[classCode=SPEC]; w5=clinical.diagnostics


<a id="Specimen.identifier"></a>

## Specimen.identifier
Primary specimen identifier

**Definition:** Identifiers used for specimen identification. These could include but are not limited to identifiers generated upon collection, accessioning, or other reasons for labeling a specimen.

**Comments:** These are business identifiers, not Specimen.id - the resource identifier. More information in this (see [discussion](resource.html#identifiers)).
For accession identifiers, the Accession Identifier code, ACSN, should be used in the Identifier.type.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [Identifier](/Identifier)

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.identifier; v2=SPM-2; rim=.id


<a id="Specimen.status"></a>

## Specimen.status
available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error

**Definition:** The availability of the specimen.

**Comments:** This element is labeled as a modifier because the status contains codes that mark the resource as not currently valid.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [code](/code)

**Binding:** required:[specimen-status](/valueset-specimen-status)

**Summary:** true

**Is Modifier:** true (Reason: This element is labelled as a modifier because it is a status element that contains status entered-in-error which means that the resource should not be treated as valid)

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.status; v2=SPM-20; rim=status


<a id="Specimen.type"></a>

## Specimen.type
Kind of material that forms the specimen

**Definition:** The kind of material that forms the specimen.

**Comments:** The type can change the way that a specimen is handled and drives what kind of analyses can properly be performed on the specimen. It is frequently used in diagnostic work flow decision making systems.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept)

**Binding:** example:[v2-0487](/valueset-v2-0487)

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.what[x]; v2=SPM-4 and possibly SPM-5; rim=.code


<a id="Specimen.subject"></a>

## Specimen.subject
Where the specimen came from. This may be from patient(s), from a location (e.g., the source of an environmental sample), or a sampling of a substance, a biologically-derived product, or a device

**Definition:** Where the specimen came from. This may be from patient(s), from a location (e.g., the source of an environmental sample), or a sampling of a substance, a biologically-derived product, or a device.

**Requirements:** Must know the subject context.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** Reference([Patient](/Patient), [Group](/Group), [Device](/Device), [BiologicallyDerivedProduct](/BiologicallyDerivedProduct), [Substance](/Substance), [Location](/Location), [NutritionProduct](/NutritionProduct))

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.subject; rim=.scoper  or  .scoper.playsRole


<a id="Specimen.receivedTime"></a>

## Specimen.receivedTime
The time when specimen is received by the testing laboratory

**Definition:** Time when specimen is received by the testing laboratory for processing or testing.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [dateTime](/dateTime)

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.done[x]; v2=SPM-18; rim=.participation[typeCode=SBJ].act[code=SPCREC, moodCode=EVN].effectiveTime


<a id="Specimen.parent"></a>

## Specimen.parent
Specimen from which this specimen originated

**Definition:** Reference to the parent (source) specimen which is used when the specimen was either derived from or a component of another specimen.

**Comments:** The parent specimen could be the source from which the current specimen is derived by some processing step (e.g. an aliquot or isolate or extracted nucleic acids from clinical samples) or one of many specimens that were combined to create a pooled sample.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** Reference([Specimen](/Specimen))

**Mappings:** rim=.scoper (if parent) .player.scopesRole[classCode=SPEC].player (if child)


<a id="Specimen.request"></a>

## Specimen.request
Why the specimen was collected

**Definition:** Details concerning a service request that required a specimen to be collected.

**Comments:** The request may be explicit or implied such with a ServiceRequest that requires a blood draw.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** Reference([ServiceRequest](/ServiceRequest))

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.why[x]; v2=ORC? OBR-2/3?; rim=outboundRelationship[typeCode=FLFS].target


<a id="Specimen.combined"></a>

## Specimen.combined
grouped | pooled

**Definition:** This element signifies if the specimen is part of a group or pooled.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [code](/code)

**Binding:** required:[specimen-combined](/valueset-specimen-combined)

**Summary:** true


<a id="Specimen.role"></a>

## Specimen.role
The role the specimen serves

**Definition:** The role or reason for the specimen in the testing workflow.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept)

**Binding:** preferred:[specimen-role](/valueset-specimen-role)

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-10


<a id="Specimen.feature"></a>

## Specimen.feature
The physical feature of a specimen

**Definition:** A physical feature or landmark on a specimen, highlighted for context by the collector of the specimen (e.g. surgeon), that identifies the type of feature as well as its meaning (e.g. the red ink indicating the resection margin of the right lobe of the excised prostate tissue or wire loop at radiologically suspected tumor location).

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [BackboneElement](/BackboneElement)

**Mappings:** rim=.player.scopingRole[classCode=FEAT].scoper


<a id="Specimen.feature.type"></a>

## Specimen.feature.type
Highlighted feature

**Definition:** The landmark or feature being highlighted.

**Cardinality:** 1..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept)

**Binding:** example:[body-site](/valueset-body-site)

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.what[x]; rim=.code


<a id="Specimen.feature.description"></a>

## Specimen.feature.description
Information about the feature

**Definition:** Description of the feature of the specimen.

**Cardinality:** 1..1

**Type:** [string](/string)

**Mappings:** rim=.text


<a id="Specimen.collection"></a>

## Specimen.collection
Collection details

**Definition:** Details concerning the specimen collection.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [BackboneElement](/BackboneElement)

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-14; rim=.participation[typeCode=SBJ].act[classCode=SPECCOLLECT, moodCode=EVN]


<a id="Specimen.collection.collector"></a>

## Specimen.collection.collector
Who collected the specimen

**Definition:** Person who collected the specimen.

**Conditions:** spm-1

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** Reference([Organization](/Organization), [Practitioner](/Practitioner), [PractitionerRole](/PractitionerRole), [Patient](/Patient), [RelatedPerson](/RelatedPerson))

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.actor; v2=PRT; rim=.participation[typeCode=PFM].role


<a id="Specimen.collection.collected[x]"></a>

## Specimen.collection.collected[x]
Collection time

**Definition:** Time when specimen was collected from subject - the physiologically relevant time.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [dateTime](/dateTime), [Period](/Period)

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.init; v2=SPM-17; rim=.effectiveTime


<a id="Specimen.collection.duration"></a>

## Specimen.collection.duration
How long it took to collect specimen

**Definition:** The span of time over which the collection of a specimen occurred.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [Duration](/Duration)

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.init


<a id="Specimen.collection.quantity"></a>

## Specimen.collection.quantity
The quantity of specimen collected

**Definition:** The quantity of specimen collected; for instance the volume of a blood sample, or the physical measurement of an anatomic pathology sample.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [Quantity](/Quantity)([SimpleQuantity](/SimpleQuantity))

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-12; rim=.participation[typeCode=SBJ].role[classCode=SPEC].player.quantity


<a id="Specimen.collection.method"></a>

## Specimen.collection.method
Technique used to perform collection

**Definition:** A coded value specifying the technique that is used to perform the procedure.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept)

**Binding:** example:[specimen-collection-method](/valueset-specimen-collection-method)

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-7; rim=.methodCode


<a id="Specimen.collection.device[x]"></a>

## Specimen.collection.device[x]
Device used to perform collection

**Definition:** A coded value specifying the device that is used to perform the procedure.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept), Reference([Device](/Device)), [canonical](/canonical)

**Binding:** example:[specimen-container-type](/valueset-specimen-container-type)

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-14; rim=participation[typeCode=DEV]


<a id="Specimen.collection.procedure"></a>

## Specimen.collection.procedure
The procedure that collects the specimen

**Definition:** The procedure event during which the specimen was collected (e.g. the surgery leading to the collection of a pathology sample).

**Conditions:** spm-1

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** Reference([Procedure](/Procedure))


<a id="Specimen.collection.bodySite"></a>

## Specimen.collection.bodySite
Anatomical collection site

**Definition:** Anatomical location from which the specimen was collected (if subject is a patient). This is the target site.  This element is not used for environmental specimens.

**Comments:** Reasons for using BodyStructure reference include: 1.) Need to identify a specific site instance (e.g. a specific mole), 2.) a single pre-coordinated coded concept for the body site does not exist, 3.) a desire to represent bodySite using multiple attributes (e.g. modifiers).

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [CodeableReference](/CodeableReference)

**Binding:** example:[body-site](/valueset-body-site)

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-8 and SPM-9; rim=.targetSiteCode


<a id="Specimen.collection.fastingStatus[x]"></a>

## Specimen.collection.fastingStatus[x]
Whether or how long patient abstained from food and/or drink

**Definition:** Abstinence or reduction from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time prior to sample collection.

**Comments:** Representing fasting status using this element is preferred to representing it with an observation using a 'pre-coordinated code'  such as  LOINC 2005-7 (Calcium [Moles/​time] in 2 hour Urine --12 hours fasting), or  using  a component observation ` such as `Observation.component code`  = LOINC 49541-6 (Fasting status - Reported).

**Requirements:** Many diagnostic tests require fasting  to facilitate accurate interpretation.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept), [Duration](/Duration)

**Binding:** extensible:[v2-0916](/valueset-v2-0916)

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** v2=OBR-


<a id="Specimen.processing"></a>

## Specimen.processing
Processing and processing step details

**Definition:** Details concerning processing and processing steps for the specimen.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [BackboneElement](/BackboneElement)

**Mappings:** rim=.participation[typeCode=SBJ].act[code=SPCTRT, moodCode=EVN]


<a id="Specimen.processing.description"></a>

## Specimen.processing.description
Textual description of procedure

**Definition:** Textual description of procedure.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [string](/string)

**Mappings:** rim=.text


<a id="Specimen.processing.method"></a>

## Specimen.processing.method
Indicates the treatment step  applied to the specimen

**Definition:** A coded value specifying the method used to process the specimen.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept)

**Binding:** example:[specimen-processing-method](/valueset-specimen-processing-method)

**Mappings:** rim=.code


<a id="Specimen.processing.performer"></a>

## Specimen.processing.performer
Entity processing specimen

**Definition:** The performer of the processing of the specimen.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** Reference([Practitioner](/Practitioner), [PractitionerRole](/PractitionerRole), [Patient](/Patient), [RelatedPerson](/RelatedPerson))

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** w5=FiveWs.actor; v2=PRT; rim=.participation[typeCode=PFM].role


<a id="Specimen.processing.device[x]"></a>

## Specimen.processing.device[x]
Device used to process the specimen

**Definition:** The device used in the processing of the specimen.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept), Reference([Device](/Device)), [canonical](/canonical)

**Binding:** example:[processingdevice-code](/valueset-processingdevice-code)

**Mappings:** rim=participation[typeCode=DEV]


<a id="Specimen.processing.additive"></a>

## Specimen.processing.additive
Material used in the processing step

**Definition:** Material used in the processing step.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [CodeableReference](/CodeableReference)

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-6; rim=.participation[typeCode=CSM].role[classCode=ADTV].code


<a id="Specimen.processing.time[x]"></a>

## Specimen.processing.time[x]
Date and time of specimen processing

**Definition:** A record of the time or period when the specimen processing occurred.  For example the time of sample fixation or the period of time the sample was in formalin.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [dateTime](/dateTime), [Period](/Period), [Duration](/Duration)

**Mappings:** rim=.effectiveTime


<a id="Specimen.container"></a>

## Specimen.container
Direct container of specimen (tube/slide, etc.)

**Definition:** The container holding the specimen.  The recursive nature of containers; i.e. blood in tube in tray in rack is not addressed here.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [BackboneElement](/BackboneElement)

**Mappings:** rim=.player.scopingRole[classCode=CONT].scoper


<a id="Specimen.container.device[x]"></a>

## Specimen.container.device[x]
Device resource for the container

**Definition:** The device resource for the the container holding the specimen. If the container is in a holder then the referenced device will point to a parent device.

**Cardinality:** 1..1

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept), Reference([Device](/Device)), [canonical](/canonical)

**Binding:** example:[containerdevice-code](/valueset-containerdevice-code)

**Mappings:** rim=participation[typeCode=DEV]


<a id="Specimen.container.specimenQuantity"></a>

## Specimen.container.specimenQuantity
Quantity of specimen within container

**Definition:** The quantity of specimen in the container; may be volume, dimensions, or other appropriate measurements, depending on the specimen type.

**Cardinality:** 0..1

**Type:** [Quantity](/Quantity)([SimpleQuantity](/SimpleQuantity))

**Mappings:** v2=SAC-23 (value) SAC-24 (units; rim=.playedRole[classCode=CONT].quantity


<a id="Specimen.condition"></a>

## Specimen.condition
State of the specimen

**Definition:** A mode or state of being that describes the nature of the specimen.

**Comments:** Specimen condition is an observation made about the specimen.  It's a point-in-time assessment.  It can be used to assess its quality or appropriateness for a specific test.

**Requirements:** The specimen condition can be used to assess its quality or appropriateness for a specific test.

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [CodeableConcept](/CodeableConcept)

**Binding:** example:[v2-0493](/valueset-v2-0493)

**Summary:** true

**Mappings:** v2=SPM-24


<a id="Specimen.note"></a>

## Specimen.note
Comments

**Definition:** To communicate any details or issues about the specimen or during the specimen collection. (for example: broken vial, sent with patient, frozen).

**Cardinality:** 0..*

**Type:** [Annotation](/Annotation)

**Mappings:** v2=OBX; rim=.inboundRelationship[typeCode=SUBJ].source[classCode=OBS, moodCode=EVN, code="annotation"].value