ORC — Common Order
Appears in ORM, OMG, OML, OMP, and OMS messages. Always precedes the order detail segment for each order.
The ORC segment is the common order segment that precedes all order detail segments (OBR, RXO, RXE, etc.). It carries the universal order control information including order identifiers, order status, ordering provider, and transaction timestamps.
Real-World Context
ORC.1 (order control code) is how orders are created, cancelled, and modified. Mishandling order control codes is the top cause of phantom orders and missed cancellations in production. The combination of ORC.2 (placer order number) and ORC.3 (filler order number) is what links an order across its lifecycle from placement through result — losing these identifiers means losing the order chain.
Field Reference
Click any row to see the full description, common values, and troubleshooting tip.
| # | Field Name | Type | Req | Max Len | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Order Control | ID | R | 2 | ▶ |
| 2 | Placer Order Number | EI | O | 427 | ▶ |
| 3 | Filler Order Number | EI | O | 427 | ▶ |
| 4 | Placer Group Number | EI | O | 427 | ▶ |
| 5 | Order Status | ID | O | 2 | ▶ |
| 6 | Response Flag | ID | O | 1 | ▶ |
| 7 | Quantity/Timing | TQ | O | 200 | ▶ |
| 8 | Parent | EIP | O | 200 | ▶ |
| 9 | Date/Time of Transaction | TS | O | 26 | ▶ |
| 10 | Entered By | XCN | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 11 | Verified By | XCN | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 12 | Ordering Provider | XCN | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 13 | Enterer's Location | PL | O | 80 | ▶ |
| 14 | Call Back Phone Number | XTN | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 15 | Order Effective Date/Time | TS | O | 26 | ▶ |
| 16 | Order Control Code Reason | CE | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 17 | Entering Organization | CE | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 18 | Entering Device | CE | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 19 | Action By | XCN | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 20 | Advanced Beneficiary Notice Code | CE | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 21 | Ordering Facility Name | XON | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 22 | Ordering Facility Address | XAD | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 23 | Ordering Facility Phone Number | XTN | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 24 | Ordering Provider Address | XAD | O | 250 | ▶ |
| 25 | Order Status Modifier | CWE | O | 705 | ▶ |
| 26 | Advanced Beneficiary Notice Override Reason | CWE | O | 705 | ▶ |
| 27 | Filler's Expected Availability Date/Time | TS | O | 26 | ▶ |
| 28 | Confidentiality Code | CWE | O | 705 | ▶ |
| 29 | Order Type | CWE | O | 705 | ▶ |
| 30 | Enterer Authorization Mode | CNE | O | 705 | ▶ |
| 31 | Parent Universal Service Identifier | CWE | O | 705 | ▶ |
| 32 | Advanced Beneficiary Notice Date | DT | O | 8 | ▶ |
| 33 | Alternate Placer Order Number | CX | O | 250 | ▶ |
Example Segment
1ORC||NW|20260310-001^EPIC^2.16.840.1.113883.3.1234^ISO||GROUP20260310-001^EPIC|SC||^QD^20260310080000|||1234567890^JONES^ROBERT^^^MD^NPI|||4NORTH^401^A^MAIN|(217)555-1234|20260310143205||MEMORIAL_HEALTH^^^123|I^Inpatient
Related Segments
Used In Message Types
Parse messages with ORC in real time
Paste any HL7 message into our free viewer. Decodes every segment and field instantly, client-side.
Open HL7 Message Viewer →Need HL7 mapping templates?
The HL7 Integration Toolkit includes field mapping worksheets, interface spec templates, and a go-live checklist for every major HL7 message type.
View HL7 Integration Toolkit →