NHS North West Genomics
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NHS North West Genomics - Local Development build (v2.2.0) built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) Build Tools. See the Directory of published versions

Data Type Profile: Specimen Accession Number

Official URL: https://fhir.nwgenomics.nhs.uk/StructureDefinition/SpecimenAccessionNumber Version: 2.2.0
Draft as of 2026-09-20 Computable Name: SpecimenAccessionNumber

Uniquely identifies a Specimen across multiple laboratory systems.

NHS Data Dictionary and Model

No NHS Data Dictionary entry for the general (pathology/genomics) specimen accession number - it is a laboratory-assigned identifier, not a nationally defined one. The closest NHS Data Dictionary analogue is RADIOLOGICAL ACCESSION NUMBER, which applies to imaging studies rather than specimens.

Ubiquitous terms: Accession Number, Lab Number, Case Number, Specimen Number.

Mapping

  • HL7 FHIR Specimen.accessionIdentifier (type = ACSN)
  • HL7 v2 Accession ID (SPM-30)
  • IHE XDS referenceIdList

In pathology and genomics, the accession number refers to the Specimen. In imaging the accession number refers to the imaging test RADIOLOGICAL ACCESSION NUMBER

Ubiquitous Term Field HL7 FHIR Identifier OID HL7 v2 CX HL7 FHIR Example HL7 v2 Example
Accession Number Value value none - locally assigned by the laboratory EI.1 ABC1234 ABC1234
- Type type     http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203#ACSN  
ODS Code ODS Code assigner.identifier 2.16.840.1.113883.2.1.3.2.4.18.48 EI.2 https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code#RBS RBS
- System system none - locally assigned by the laboratory N/a https://fhir.example.org/Id/medical-record-number N/a

Examples

HL7 v2 EI

ABC1234^R0A

HL7 FHIR Identifier

{
  "type": {
    "coding": [
      {
        "system": "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
        "code": "ACSN"
      }
    ]
  },
  "value": "ABC1234",
  "assigner": {
    "identifier": {
      "system": "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code",
      "value": "R0A"
    }
  }
}

Usages:

You can also check for usages in the FHIR IG Statistics

Formal Views of Profile Content

Description Differentials, Snapshots, and other representations.

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
... type SΣ 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Required Pattern: At least the following
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... coding 1..* Coding Code defined by a terminology system
Fixed Value: (Complex)
..... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
..... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
..... system 1..1 uri Identity of the terminology system
Fixed Value: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203
..... version 0..1 string Version of the system - if relevant
..... code 1..1 code Symbol in syntax defined by the system
Fixed Value: ACSN
..... display 0..1 string Representation defined by the system
..... userSelected 0..1 boolean If this coding was chosen directly by the user
.... text 0..1 string Plain text representation of the concept
... system SΣ 0..1 uri uri should be defined and unique supplying organisation.
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
... value SΣ 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
... assigner SΣ 1..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
.... identifier SΣ 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
..... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
..... system SΣ 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code
..... value SΣ 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.0 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Identifier CorrelationIdentifier
... type 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Required Pattern: At least the following
.... coding 1..* Coding Code defined by a terminology system
Fixed Value: (Complex)
..... system 1..1 uri Identity of the terminology system
Fixed Value: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203
..... code 1..1 code Symbol in syntax defined by the system
Fixed Value: ACSN
... system 0..1 uri uri should be defined and unique supplying organisation.
... assigner 1..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)

doco Documentation for this format
NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
... type SΣ 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Required Pattern: At least the following
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... coding 1..* Coding Code defined by a terminology system
Fixed Value: (Complex)
..... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
..... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
..... system 1..1 uri Identity of the terminology system
Fixed Value: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203
..... version 0..1 string Version of the system - if relevant
..... code 1..1 code Symbol in syntax defined by the system
Fixed Value: ACSN
..... display 0..1 string Representation defined by the system
..... userSelected 0..1 boolean If this coding was chosen directly by the user
.... text 0..1 string Plain text representation of the concept
... system SΣ 0..1 uri uri should be defined and unique supplying organisation.
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
... value SΣ 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
... period Σ 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
... assigner SΣ 1..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... reference ΣC 0..1 string Literal reference, Relative, internal or absolute URL
.... type Σ 0..1 uri Type the reference refers to (e.g. "Patient")
Binding: ResourceType (extensible): Aa resource (or, for logical models, the URI of the logical model).
.... identifier SΣ 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
..... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
..... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
..... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
..... type Σ 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: Identifier Type Codes (extensible): A coded type for an identifier that can be used to determine which identifier to use for a specific purpose.
..... system SΣ 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code
..... value SΣ 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A
..... period Σ 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
..... assigner Σ 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
.... display Σ 0..1 string Text alternative for the resource

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.0 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​type Base extensible ResourceType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.type Base extensible IdentifierType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

Summary

Mandatory: 1 element

Key Elements View

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
... type SΣ 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Required Pattern: At least the following
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... coding 1..* Coding Code defined by a terminology system
Fixed Value: (Complex)
..... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
..... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
..... system 1..1 uri Identity of the terminology system
Fixed Value: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203
..... version 0..1 string Version of the system - if relevant
..... code 1..1 code Symbol in syntax defined by the system
Fixed Value: ACSN
..... display 0..1 string Representation defined by the system
..... userSelected 0..1 boolean If this coding was chosen directly by the user
.... text 0..1 string Plain text representation of the concept
... system SΣ 0..1 uri uri should be defined and unique supplying organisation.
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
... value SΣ 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
... assigner SΣ 1..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
.... identifier SΣ 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
..... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
..... system SΣ 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code
..... value SΣ 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.0 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

Differential View

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Identifier CorrelationIdentifier
... type 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Required Pattern: At least the following
.... coding 1..* Coding Code defined by a terminology system
Fixed Value: (Complex)
..... system 1..1 uri Identity of the terminology system
Fixed Value: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203
..... code 1..1 code Symbol in syntax defined by the system
Fixed Value: ACSN
... system 0..1 uri uri should be defined and unique supplying organisation.
... assigner 1..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)

doco Documentation for this format

Snapshot ViewView

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: Filtersdoco
.. Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
... type SΣ 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Required Pattern: At least the following
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
.... coding 1..* Coding Code defined by a terminology system
Fixed Value: (Complex)
..... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
..... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
..... system 1..1 uri Identity of the terminology system
Fixed Value: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203
..... version 0..1 string Version of the system - if relevant
..... code 1..1 code Symbol in syntax defined by the system
Fixed Value: ACSN
..... display 0..1 string Representation defined by the system
..... userSelected 0..1 boolean If this coding was chosen directly by the user
.... text 0..1 string Plain text representation of the concept
... system SΣ 0..1 uri uri should be defined and unique supplying organisation.
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
... value SΣ 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
... period Σ 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
... assigner SΣ 1..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
.... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
.... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
.... reference ΣC 0..1 string Literal reference, Relative, internal or absolute URL
.... type Σ 0..1 uri Type the reference refers to (e.g. "Patient")
Binding: ResourceType (extensible): Aa resource (or, for logical models, the URI of the logical model).
.... identifier SΣ 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
..... id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
..... extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
..... use ?!Σ 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
..... type Σ 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: Identifier Type Codes (extensible): A coded type for an identifier that can be used to determine which identifier to use for a specific purpose.
..... system SΣ 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code
..... value SΣ 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A
..... period Σ 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
..... assigner Σ 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
.... display Σ 0..1 string Text alternative for the resource

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.0 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​type Base extensible ResourceType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.type Base extensible IdentifierType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

Summary

Mandatory: 1 element

 

Other representations of profile: CSV, Excel, Schematron