Custom Panels

[Tanya Snover]

What have sites done for the following scenario?
We have an Immunodeficiency panel. The panel consists of the following components:
% T (CD3)
% B (CD19)
% HELPER (CD4)
% SUPPRESS (CD8)
% NK (CD16,CD56)
T ABSOLUTE
B ABSOLUTE
HELPER ABSOLUTE
SUPPRESSOR ABSOLUTE
NK ABSOLUTE
H/S RATIO

We are planning on assigning a LOINC code to each component, but the dept of health is requiring that a LOINC also be attached to the order itself. I searched LOINC.org but was unable to find a panel with these exact same components. What have others done in this scenario?

[Pam Banning]

Hello,

We start off all client projects by mapping the result fields to LOINC, and then search for order panels that use those LOINC codes. There is a separate location of accessory files in the downloads that contains an Excel file of all order panels and their constituents. (http://www.loinc.org, at the bottom left of screen DOWNLOADS Accessory Files)

The messaging agreement between two sites should have contingency information on what is allowed in case a standardized code does not exist. Especially when the order panel LOINC codes are still in development. CDC representatives announced at the recent ASCP Annual Meeting (September 2013 in Chicago) that a workgroup is planned to be established to study and further develop order sets If you’ll email me at pdbanning@mmm.com, I’ll get you in touch with that representative; they are inviting the public to participate.

I would sidebar that it is a bit ironic to ask for standardized/normalized LOINC order codes on a topic of “Custom Panels”. The act of normalizing orders would drive in a different direction from customization. 😉

Have a great week,
Best Regards,
Pam Banning

[Author]

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