8.1 Goals and general approach
We are in the process of evolving our model for naming collections in LOINC. Our goals in refining this model are to:
- Create names that are consistent across different subject domains within LOINC
- Make it easy to create a list of all codes that could be used as document type in CDA
- Make it easy to create a list of all codes that could be used as section headings in CDA
- Avoid proliferating names
To this end, we are developing rules for how the naming of collections will apply to both laboratory collections (CBC, CHEM7) coded and structured clinical collections (Vital Signs), documents (Admit History and Physical Exam), Apgar scores, Braden Scale, Pain scales, etc. There will be two categories of names for collections:
- Names for panels with enumerated discrete contents, and
- Names for general collections of information.
Using the existing panel mechanisms, the LOINC database will record the association between LOINC collections and individual observations where these associations are known. For example, LOINC already records the expected contents for CBC, Liver Enzymes, etc. It will also include definitions for Vital Signs, Cardiac Catheterization, Braden Scale, surveys, etc. We will create a single LOINC code for any general collection of information where the information content of the collection is the same, regardless of whether the content is a text document, a scanned image of text, or a sound file of the same information.
Since collections are named by their real or anticipated contents, the same LOINC code could be used as either a document type or as a section type.