# Specimen additive editorial guidance

**URL:** <https://forums.snomed.org/t/specimen-additive-editorial-guidance/1696>\
**Category:** Editorial AG\
**Created:** [October 28, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.snomed.org/t/specimen-additive-editorial-guidance/1696 "2026-10-28T17:24:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@jcase](https://forums.snomed.org/u/jcase)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.snomed.org/t/specimen-additive-editorial-guidance/1696/1 "2026-10-28T17:24:01Z")

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SNOMED has recently received a number of new specimen concepts of the pattern specimen + additive. While we currently have a few of these already in the Specimen hierarchy, this sets a precedent for a large number of precoordinated specimen plus additve concepts that would be in conflict with current exchange standards such as HL7 v2.x and FHIR, which provide separate elements to record, specimen type, additive and container. I am attaching a draft summary of the issue and proposed ed guidance moving forward.

[Editorial Guidance\_ Additives in Specimen Concepts.pdf](https://forums.snomed.org/uploads/short-url/jSDednmO8pnO6o8bLfpV0Iub8pB.pdf) (139.8 KB)

I would appreciate your comments prior to additional AG and CoP review.