Specimen Identifier Attribute
| Tag | (0040,0551) |
|---|---|
| Type | Required (1) |
| Keyword | SpecimenIdentifier |
| Value Multiplicity | 1 |
| Value Representation | Long String (LO) |
A departmental information system identifier for the Specimen. See Section C.7.6.22.1.1 and Section C.7.6.22.1.2.
If a single specimen is present in a container, the value of the Specimen Identifier and the value of the Container Identifier are typically the same.
Section C.7.6.22.1.1
C.7.6.22.1.1 Container Identifier and Specimen Identifier
"Specimen" is the role played by a discrete physical object (or a collection of objects that are considered as a unit) that is the subject of pathology examination.
A specimen is a physical object (or a collection of objects) when the laboratory considers it a single discrete, uniquely identified unit that is the subject of one or more steps in the laboratory (diagnostic) workflow. This includes objects at all levels of processing, including fresh tissue, dissected organs, tissue embedded in paraffin, sections made from embedded tissue, and liquid preparations.
Specimens are physically managed by being placed in or on a container. The concept of container includes buckets, cassettes, vials, and slides. While there is usually one specimen per container, it is possible, in some laboratory workflows, for multiple specimens to be in/on a container.
Both specimens and specimen containers have logical identifiers for workflow management. The logical identifier of a container is usually conveyed on a label on the container. The specimen itself will typically not be physically labeled with its identifier. For the usual case of a single specimen in/on a container, the logical identifiers may be identical. However, when there are multiple specimens in/on a container, each specimen receives a distinct logical identifier. These identifiers are encoded in the SOP Instance using Attributes Container Identifier (0040,0512) and Specimen Identifier (0040,0551).
Note
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This definition of "specimen" extends the common definition beyond the part or parts that were submitted for examination (e.g., from surgery) to include any derivative piece that may be separately analyzed or examined, such as a block or slide preparation.
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Although many Pathology Information Systems use a hierarchical system for identifying parts, blocks and slides, there should be no assumption made that this will be the case and in particular, there should be no attempt to parse a given Specimen Identifier to retrieve an accession number or other higher level identifier.
Section C.7.6.22.1.2
C.7.6.22.1.2 Specimen Identifier and Specimen UID
Specimen Identifier (0040,0551) must be unique at least within the Study; the actual scope of uniqueness is determined by the departmental information system that assigns the IDs. Each specimen shall also be assigned a globally unique Specimen UID (0040,0554) that allows referencing beyond the scope of a Study. This UID may be used, for instance, if a specimen is delivered to another institution for further analysis.