ABSTRACT
The LOINC (Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes) vocabulary is a set of more than 10,000 names and codes developed for use as observation identifiers in standardized messages exchanged between clinical computer systems. The goal of the study was to create universal names and codes for clinical observations that could be used by all clinical information systems. The LOINC names are structured to facilitate rapid matching, either automated or manual, between local vocabularies and the universal LOINC codes. If LOINC codes are used in clinical messages, each system participating in data exchange needs to match its local vocabulary to the standard vocabulary only once. This will reduce both the time and cost of implementing standardized interfaces. The history of the development of the LOINC vocabulary and the methodology used in its creation are described.
Subject(s)
Clinical Laboratory Information Systems/standards , Vocabulary, Controlled , Classification , Medical Record Linkage/methods , Models, TheoreticalABSTRACT
Many laboratories use electronic message standards to transmit results to their clients. If all laboratories used the same "universal" set of test identifiers, electronic transmission of results would be greatly simplified. The Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes (LOINC) database aims to be such a code system, covering at least 98% of the average laboratory's tests. The LOINC database should be of interest to hospitals, clinical laboratories, doctors' offices, state health departments, governmental healthcare providers, third-party payors, organizations involved in clinical trials, and quality assurance and utilization reviewers. The fifth release of the LOINC database, containing codes, names, and synonyms for approximately 6300 test observations, is now available on the Internet for public use. Here we describe the LOINC database, the methods used to produce it, and how it may be obtained.
Subject(s)
Clinical Laboratory Information Systems , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Patient Identification Systems , Clinical Laboratory Information Systems/standards , Clinical Laboratory Information Systems/statistics & numerical data , Computer Communication Networks , Quality Assurance, Health CareABSTRACT
The results of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) determinations on the single-channel Coag-a-Mate, Coagulyzer Jr., Clotek, Electra 650, and Fibrometer instruments were compared with regard to precision, day-to-day reproducibility of results, and accuracy. There was no significant difference among the machines when PT was analyzed. In the APTT study, the single-channel Coag-a-Mate had the best overall precision (coefficient of variation 2 to 4%), while the Coag-a-Mate and the Electra 650 had the best day-to-day reproducibility (coefficient of variation 2 to 5%). The comparison study indicated good correlation (r greater than or equal to 0.95) between the reference instrument (Bio/Data CA-15) and the single-channel Coag-a-Mate, Electra 650, and Clotek. The correlation for the Coagulyzer Jr. was also quite good (r = 0.95), but it could not detect some of the clots detected by the other machines. The Fibrometer showed significantly poorer correlation (r = 0.87) when compared with the other instruments.
