Common LOINC Laboratory Order Codes

These 300 (or so) codes cover more than 95% of lab test orders in the U.S.

The LOINC Top 300 Lab Orders is a collection of universal laboratory order codes that covers the most frequent lab orders. It was created for use by developers of provider order entry systems that would deliver them in HL7 messages to laboratories where they could be understood and fulfilled. The Preface describes how this value set was developed through both empirical and consensus-driven approaches. Obviously, at only 300 codes it doesn't include everything you might want to order, but is probably a very good "starter set". This is the Laboratory Order Value Set referenced by the HITSP C80 Clinical Document and Messaging Terminology Construct in (Table 2-96) and the current HL7 Version 2.5.1 Implementation Guide: S&I Framework Laboratory Orders from EHR, Release 1 being balloted in HL7 and developed in collaboration with the HHS S&I Framework Laboratory Orders Interface Working Group.

Comments and suggestions are welcome at commontestsandorders@mail.nih.gov

Common LOINC Laboratory Order Codes (a.k.a the LOINC Top 300 Orders)

• Common Lab Orders Value Set - Preface to Version 1.2 (pdf)
  File Version: Common Lab Orders Preface 1.2 | File type: application/pdf | Release Date: 2011-06-03
• Common Lab Orders Value Set - Version 1.2 (pdf)
  File Version: Common Lab Orders 1.2 with Preface | File type: application/pdf | Release Date: 2011-06-03
  OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.12009.10.2.2
• Common Lab Orders Value Set - Version 1.2 (xlsx) or if you prefer (xls)
  File Version: Common Lab Orders 1.2 | File type:application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet  | Release Date: 2011-06-03
  OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.12009.10.2.2