A sample to be used for analysis.

Id for specimen.

The identifier assigned by the lab when accessioning specimen(s). This is not necessarily the same as the specimen identifier, depending on local lab procedures.

The availability of the specimen.

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

The kind of material that forms the specimen.

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.

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.

Must know the subject context.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

The role or reason for the specimen in the testing workflow.

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).

The landmark or feature being highlighted.

Description of the feature of the specimen.

Details concerning the specimen collection.

Person who collected the specimen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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).

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

Many diagnostic tests require fasting to facilitate accurate interpretation.

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 asObservation.component code` = LOINC 49541-6 (Fasting status - Reported).

Details concerning processing and processing steps for the specimen.

Textual description of procedure.

A coded value specifying the method used to process the specimen.

The performer of the processing of the specimen.

The device used in the processing of the specimen.

Material used in the processing step.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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