Laboratory—specimen identifier, text X[X(39)]

Identifying and definitional attributes
Metadata item type:	Data Element
Short name:	Specimen identifier
METeOR identifier:	428518
Registration status:	Health, Standard 15/11/2012
Definition:	Specimen identifier unique within a laboratory, as represented by text.
Data Element Concept:	Laboratory—specimen identifier
Value domain attributes
Representational attributes
Representation class:	Text
Data type:	String
Format:	X[X(39)]
Maximum character length:	40
Data element attributes
Collection and usage attributes
Guide for use:	The assignment of an identifier to a specimen allows the tracking of the specimen through receipt, processing, analysis, reporting and storage within the laboratory.
Collection methods:
Source and reference attributes
Submitting organisation:	Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
Origin:	ACSQHC Healthcare Associated Infection Technical Working Group
Relational attributes
Implementation in Data Set Specifications:	Surveillance of healthcare associated infection: Clostridium difficile infection DSS Health, Standardisation pending 23/07/2012 Surveillance of healthcare associated infection: Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia DSS Health, Standard 15/11/2012

Value domain attributes