US Core Implementation Guide
7.0.0 - STU7 United States of America flag

This page is part of the US Core (v7.0.0: STU7) based on FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) R4. This is the current published version in its permanent home (it will always be available at this URL). For a full list of available versions, see the Directory of published versions

Resource Profile: US Core Specimen Profile

Official URL: http://hl7.org/fhir/us/core/StructureDefinition/us-core-specimen Version: 7.0.0
Standards status: Trial-use Maturity Level: 3 Computable Name: USCoreSpecimenProfile
Other Identifiers: OID:2.16.840.1.113883.4.642.40.2.42.56

Copyright/Legal: Used by permission of HL7 International, all rights reserved Creative Commons License

The US Core Specimen Profile inherits from the FHIR Specimen resource; refer to it for scope and usage definitions. This profile sets minimum expectations for the Specimen resource to record, search, and fetch information about substances associated with a patient being sampled or tested (such as nasopharyngeal swab, whole blood, or serum). It specifies which core elements, extensions, vocabularies, and value sets SHALL be present and constrains how the elements are used. Providing the floor for standards development for specific use cases promotes interoperability and adoption.

Example Usage Scenarios:

The following are example usage scenarios for the US Core Specimen profile:

Mandatory and Must Support Data Elements

The following data elements must always be present (Mandatory definition) or must be supported if the data is present in the sending system (Must Support definition). They are presented below in a simple human-readable explanation. Profile specific guidance and examples are provided as well. The Formal Views below provides the formal summary, definitions, and terminology requirements.

Each Specimen Must Have:

  1. a specimen code

Each Specimen Must Support:

  1. business identifier(s)*
  2. an accession identifier*
  3. a patient

Additional USCDI Requirements:

These Additional USCDI Requirements elements are not Mandatory or Must Support but are required for ONC Health IT certification testing and are included in the formal definition of the profile and the Specimen examples.

  1. specimen collection source site
  2. specimen condition*

* see guidance below

Profile Specific Implementation Guidance:

  • Since the binding is extensible when a code is unavailable, just text is allowed.
  • *Although both Specimen.identifier and Specimen.accessionIdentifier are marked as Must Support, the server system is not required to support both, but SHALL support at least one of these elements.
    • The client application SHALL support both elements.
  • *The specimen condition is used by the laboratory to determine the acceptability of a specimen for the ordered test. An individual specimen condition may be acceptable for one test and not for another. The specimen condition is typically provided when the specimen does not meet the laboratory’s criteria for acceptability, whether the test was performed or not. Examples include but are not limited to hemolyzed, clotted, container leaking, and missing patient names. This element may include information about the contents of the container, the container, and the label.
  • in addition to Specimen search criteria, clients may request Specimen resources be included with the Observation or DiagnosticReport resource query. An example query is provided in the Notes section below.

Usage:

Formal Views of Profile Content

Description of Profiles, Differentials, Snapshots and how the different presentations work.

This structure is derived from Specimen

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraintsdoco
.. Specimen 0..* Specimen Sample for analysis
... identifier S 0..* Identifier Specimen identifier
... accessionIdentifier S 0..1 Identifier Identifier assigned by the lab
... type S 1..1 CodeableConcept Kind of material that forms the specimen
Binding: Specimen type . (extensible)
... subject S 0..1 Reference(US Core Patient Profile S | Group | Device | Substance | US Core Location Profile) The patient where the specimen came from.
... collection 0..1 BackboneElement 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Collection details
.... bodySite 0..1 CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen Source Site
Binding: SNOMEDCTBodyStructures (extensible)
... condition 0..* CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen condition
Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible)

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings (Differential)

PathConformanceValueSetURI
Specimen.typeextensibleSpecimenType .
http://cts.nlm.nih.gov/fhir/ValueSet/2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1099.54
Specimen.collection.bodySiteextensibleSNOMEDCTBodyStructures
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/body-site
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.conditionextensibleHl7VSSpecimenCondition
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0493
NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraintsdoco
.. Specimen 0..* Specimen Sample for analysis
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... identifier SΣ 0..* Identifier Specimen identifier
... accessionIdentifier SΣ 0..1 Identifier Identifier assigned by the lab
... status ?!Σ 0..1 code available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error
Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen.

... type SΣ 1..1 CodeableConcept Kind of material that forms the specimen
Binding: Specimen type . (extensible)
... subject SΣ 0..1 Reference(US Core Patient Profile) The patient where the specimen came from.
... collection 0..1 BackboneElement 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Collection details
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... bodySite 0..1 CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen Source Site
Binding: SNOMEDCTBodyStructures (extensible)
... condition Σ 0..* CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen condition
Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible)

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

PathConformanceValueSetURI
Specimen.statusrequiredSpecimenStatus
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-status|4.0.1
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.typeextensibleSpecimenType .
http://cts.nlm.nih.gov/fhir/ValueSet/2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1099.54
Specimen.collection.bodySiteextensibleSNOMEDCTBodyStructures
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/body-site
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.conditionextensibleHl7VSSpecimenCondition
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0493
NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraintsdoco
.. Specimen 0..* Specimen Sample for analysis
... id Σ 0..1 id Logical id of this artifact
... meta Σ 0..1 Meta Metadata about the resource
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... language 0..1 code Language of the resource content
Binding: CommonLanguages (preferred): A human language.

Additional BindingsPurpose
AllLanguages Max Binding
... text 0..1 Narrative Text summary of the resource, for human interpretation
... contained 0..* Resource Contained, inline Resources
... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... identifier SΣ 0..* Identifier Specimen identifier
... accessionIdentifier SΣ 0..1 Identifier Identifier assigned by the lab
... status ?!Σ 0..1 code available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error
Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen.

... type SΣ 1..1 CodeableConcept Kind of material that forms the specimen
Binding: Specimen type . (extensible)
... subject SΣ 0..1 Reference(US Core Patient Profile S | Group | Device | Substance | US Core Location Profile) The patient where the specimen came from.
... receivedTime Σ 0..1 dateTime The time when specimen was received for processing
... parent 0..* Reference(Specimen) Specimen from which this specimen originated
... request 0..* Reference(ServiceRequest) Why the specimen was collected
... collection 0..1 BackboneElement 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Collection details
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... collector Σ 0..1 Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) Who collected the specimen
.... collected[x] Σ 0..1 Collection time
..... collectedDateTime dateTime
..... collectedPeriod Period
.... duration Σ 0..1 Duration How long it took to collect specimen
.... quantity 0..1 SimpleQuantity The quantity of specimen collected
.... method 0..1 CodeableConcept Technique used to perform collection
Binding: FHIRSpecimenCollectionMethod (example): The technique that is used to perform the procedure.

.... bodySite 0..1 CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen Source Site
Binding: SNOMEDCTBodyStructures (extensible)
.... fastingStatus[x] Σ 0..1 Whether or how long patient abstained from food and/or drink
Binding: hl7VS-relevantClincialInformation (extensible): Codes describing the fasting status of the patient.

..... fastingStatusCodeableConcept CodeableConcept
..... fastingStatusDuration Duration
... processing 0..* BackboneElement Processing and processing step details
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... description 0..1 string Textual description of procedure
.... procedure 0..1 CodeableConcept Indicates the treatment step applied to the specimen
Binding: SpecimenProcessingProcedure (example): Type indicating the technique used to process the specimen.

.... additive 0..* Reference(Substance) Material used in the processing step
.... time[x] 0..1 Date and time of specimen processing
..... timeDateTime dateTime
..... timePeriod Period
... container 0..* BackboneElement Direct container of specimen (tube/slide, etc.)
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... identifier Σ 0..* Identifier Id for the container
.... description 0..1 string Textual description of the container
.... type 0..1 CodeableConcept Kind of container directly associated with specimen
Binding: SpecimenContainerType (example): Type of specimen container.

.... capacity 0..1 SimpleQuantity Container volume or size
.... specimenQuantity 0..1 SimpleQuantity Quantity of specimen within container
.... additive[x] 0..1 Additive associated with container
Binding: hl7VS-additivePreservative (example): Substance added to specimen container.

..... additiveCodeableConcept CodeableConcept
..... additiveReference Reference(Substance)
... condition Σ 0..* CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen condition
Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible)
... note 0..* Annotation Comments

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

PathConformanceValueSetURI
Specimen.languagepreferredCommonLanguages
Additional Bindings Purpose
AllLanguages Max Binding
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/languages
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.statusrequiredSpecimenStatus
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-status|4.0.1
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.typeextensibleSpecimenType .
http://cts.nlm.nih.gov/fhir/ValueSet/2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1099.54
Specimen.collection.methodexampleFHIRSpecimenCollectionMethod
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-collection-method
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.collection.bodySiteextensibleSNOMEDCTBodyStructures
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/body-site
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.collection.fastingStatus[x]extensibleHl7VSRelevantClincialInformation
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0916
Specimen.processing.procedureexampleSpecimenProcessingProcedure
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-processing-procedure
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.container.typeexampleSpecimenContainerType
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-container-type
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.container.additive[x]exampleHl7VSAdditivePreservative
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0371
Specimen.conditionextensibleHl7VSSpecimenCondition
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0493

This structure is derived from Specimen

Differential View

This structure is derived from Specimen

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraintsdoco
.. Specimen 0..* Specimen Sample for analysis
... identifier S 0..* Identifier Specimen identifier
... accessionIdentifier S 0..1 Identifier Identifier assigned by the lab
... type S 1..1 CodeableConcept Kind of material that forms the specimen
Binding: Specimen type . (extensible)
... subject S 0..1 Reference(US Core Patient Profile S | Group | Device | Substance | US Core Location Profile) The patient where the specimen came from.
... collection 0..1 BackboneElement 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Collection details
.... bodySite 0..1 CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen Source Site
Binding: SNOMEDCTBodyStructures (extensible)
... condition 0..* CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen condition
Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible)

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings (Differential)

PathConformanceValueSetURI
Specimen.typeextensibleSpecimenType .
http://cts.nlm.nih.gov/fhir/ValueSet/2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1099.54
Specimen.collection.bodySiteextensibleSNOMEDCTBodyStructures
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/body-site
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.conditionextensibleHl7VSSpecimenCondition
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0493

Key Elements View

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraintsdoco
.. Specimen 0..* Specimen Sample for analysis
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... identifier SΣ 0..* Identifier Specimen identifier
... accessionIdentifier SΣ 0..1 Identifier Identifier assigned by the lab
... status ?!Σ 0..1 code available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error
Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen.

... type SΣ 1..1 CodeableConcept Kind of material that forms the specimen
Binding: Specimen type . (extensible)
... subject SΣ 0..1 Reference(US Core Patient Profile) The patient where the specimen came from.
... collection 0..1 BackboneElement 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Collection details
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... bodySite 0..1 CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen Source Site
Binding: SNOMEDCTBodyStructures (extensible)
... condition Σ 0..* CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen condition
Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible)

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

PathConformanceValueSetURI
Specimen.statusrequiredSpecimenStatus
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-status|4.0.1
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.typeextensibleSpecimenType .
http://cts.nlm.nih.gov/fhir/ValueSet/2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1099.54
Specimen.collection.bodySiteextensibleSNOMEDCTBodyStructures
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/body-site
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.conditionextensibleHl7VSSpecimenCondition
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0493

Snapshot View

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraintsdoco
.. Specimen 0..* Specimen Sample for analysis
... id Σ 0..1 id Logical id of this artifact
... meta Σ 0..1 Meta Metadata about the resource
... implicitRules ?!Σ 0..1 uri A set of rules under which this content was created
... language 0..1 code Language of the resource content
Binding: CommonLanguages (preferred): A human language.

Additional BindingsPurpose
AllLanguages Max Binding
... text 0..1 Narrative Text summary of the resource, for human interpretation
... contained 0..* Resource Contained, inline Resources
... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
... modifierExtension ?! 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored
... identifier SΣ 0..* Identifier Specimen identifier
... accessionIdentifier SΣ 0..1 Identifier Identifier assigned by the lab
... status ?!Σ 0..1 code available | unavailable | unsatisfactory | entered-in-error
Binding: SpecimenStatus (required): Codes providing the status/availability of a specimen.

... type SΣ 1..1 CodeableConcept Kind of material that forms the specimen
Binding: Specimen type . (extensible)
... subject SΣ 0..1 Reference(US Core Patient Profile S | Group | Device | Substance | US Core Location Profile) The patient where the specimen came from.
... receivedTime Σ 0..1 dateTime The time when specimen was received for processing
... parent 0..* Reference(Specimen) Specimen from which this specimen originated
... request 0..* Reference(ServiceRequest) Why the specimen was collected
... collection 0..1 BackboneElement 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Collection details
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... collector Σ 0..1 Reference(Practitioner | PractitionerRole) Who collected the specimen
.... collected[x] Σ 0..1 Collection time
..... collectedDateTime dateTime
..... collectedPeriod Period
.... duration Σ 0..1 Duration How long it took to collect specimen
.... quantity 0..1 SimpleQuantity The quantity of specimen collected
.... method 0..1 CodeableConcept Technique used to perform collection
Binding: FHIRSpecimenCollectionMethod (example): The technique that is used to perform the procedure.

.... bodySite 0..1 CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen Source Site
Binding: SNOMEDCTBodyStructures (extensible)
.... fastingStatus[x] Σ 0..1 Whether or how long patient abstained from food and/or drink
Binding: hl7VS-relevantClincialInformation (extensible): Codes describing the fasting status of the patient.

..... fastingStatusCodeableConcept CodeableConcept
..... fastingStatusDuration Duration
... processing 0..* BackboneElement Processing and processing step details
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... description 0..1 string Textual description of procedure
.... procedure 0..1 CodeableConcept Indicates the treatment step applied to the specimen
Binding: SpecimenProcessingProcedure (example): Type indicating the technique used to process the specimen.

.... additive 0..* Reference(Substance) Material used in the processing step
.... time[x] 0..1 Date and time of specimen processing
..... timeDateTime dateTime
..... timePeriod Period
... container 0..* BackboneElement Direct container of specimen (tube/slide, etc.)
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... modifierExtension ?!Σ 0..* Extension Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized
.... identifier Σ 0..* Identifier Id for the container
.... description 0..1 string Textual description of the container
.... type 0..1 CodeableConcept Kind of container directly associated with specimen
Binding: SpecimenContainerType (example): Type of specimen container.

.... capacity 0..1 SimpleQuantity Container volume or size
.... specimenQuantity 0..1 SimpleQuantity Quantity of specimen within container
.... additive[x] 0..1 Additive associated with container
Binding: hl7VS-additivePreservative (example): Substance added to specimen container.

..... additiveCodeableConcept CodeableConcept
..... additiveReference Reference(Substance)
... condition Σ 0..* CodeableConcept 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗗𝗜: Specimen condition
Binding: hl7VS-specimenCondition (extensible)
... note 0..* Annotation Comments

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

PathConformanceValueSetURI
Specimen.languagepreferredCommonLanguages
Additional Bindings Purpose
AllLanguages Max Binding
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/languages
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.statusrequiredSpecimenStatus
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-status|4.0.1
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.typeextensibleSpecimenType .
http://cts.nlm.nih.gov/fhir/ValueSet/2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1099.54
Specimen.collection.methodexampleFHIRSpecimenCollectionMethod
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-collection-method
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.collection.bodySiteextensibleSNOMEDCTBodyStructures
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/body-site
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.collection.fastingStatus[x]extensibleHl7VSRelevantClincialInformation
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0916
Specimen.processing.procedureexampleSpecimenProcessingProcedure
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-processing-procedure
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.container.typeexampleSpecimenContainerType
http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/specimen-container-type
from the FHIR Standard
Specimen.container.additive[x]exampleHl7VSAdditivePreservative
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0371
Specimen.conditionextensibleHl7VSSpecimenCondition
http://terminology.hl7.org/ValueSet/v2-0493

This structure is derived from Specimen

 

Other representations of profile: CSV, Excel, Schematron

Notes:

Quick Start

Below is an overview of the required Server RESTful FHIR interactions for this profile - for example, search and read operations - when supporting the US Core interactions to access this profile’s information (Profile Support + Interaction Support). Note that systems that support only US Core Profiles (Profile Only Support) are not required to support these interactions. See the US Core Server CapabilityStatement for a complete list of supported RESTful interactions for this IG.

  • See the Scopes Format section for a description of the SMART scopes syntax.
  • See the Search Syntax section for a description of the US Core search syntax.
  • See the General Requirements section for additional rules and expectations when a server requires status parameters.
  • See the General Guidance section for additional guidance on searching for multiple patients.

US Core Scopes

Servers providing access to specimen data SHALL support these US Core SMART Scopes:

Mandatory Search Parameters:

The following search parameters and search parameter combinations SHALL be supported:

  1. SHALL support both read Specimen by id AND Specimen search using the _id search parameter:

    GET [base]/Specimen/[id] or GET [base]/Specimen?_id=[id]

    Example:

    1. GET [base]/Specimen?_id=123

    Implementation Notes: (how to search by the logical id of the resource)

Optional Search Parameters:

The following search parameter combinations SHOULD be supported:

  1. SHOULD support searching for all specimens for a patient using the patient search parameter:

    GET [base]/Specimen?patient={Type/}[id]

    Example:

    1. GET [base]/Specimen?patient=1137192

    Implementation Notes: Fetches a bundle of all Specimen resources for the specified patient (how to search by reference)

Including Specimen when searching for an Observation or DiagnosticReport

Servers MAY support the _include parameter to request that additional resources be included in the response of a search query. For example, when searching for an Observation or DiagnosticReport that references Specimen, the client can use the _include parameter to retrieve information about a specimen associated with the search results. The syntax for querying an Observation and the associated Specimen is:

GET [base]/[Resource-type]?[parameter1]=[value1]{&...}&_include=Observation:specimen

Example:

GET [base]/Observation?_id=9163726&_include=Observation:specimen