We use most of the same general LOINC naming rules for panels as we do for individual observations. Here we describe some of the key unique features of panel names.
7.3.1 Component
If a government authority recognizes the panel or order set, we will name such panels with the year that the recognition took effect. For example, LOINC includes the “Comprehensive metabolic 2000 panel”.
For panels consisting of more than three constituent tests, the Component name will be a concatenation of:
- A name (e.g., Hemogram, Differential count, Vital Signs) to convey the content of the panel
- The word “Panel” included to unambiguously identify that this LOINC term refers to a panel or battery
In the case that a well-defined panel exists but has no conventional name or the panel consists of three or less constituents, we will include each of the distinct measured entities separated by ampersand (&) in the Component. We may also use a more efficient syntax that implies a repeat of the first part of the name, e.g., Chlamydia Ab IgM & IgG Panel.
Historically, LOINC created different codes for panels that contain reflex testing versus those that do not. In May 2020, the LOINC Lab Committee decided that going forward, panel names would no longer specify reflex testing. Existing panels that specify reflex testing will be reviewed and updated as appropriate.
7.3.2 Property and Scale
Because the Property typically varies across the elements of a panel, the Property (i.e. the second part of the LOINC name) for the panel term may be populated by a dash (-). Likewise, the Scale (5th part of the LOINC name) will be populated by a dash (-) if the panel elements contain different scales.
7.3.3 Time Aspect and System
Because these parts of the LOINC name are typically consistent across the primary measures of a panel, the Time Aspect and System of a panel name are usually specified with the same conventions that apply to observation terms.
7.3.4 Examples of LOINC Panel names
The following are a few examples of LOINC Panels (Order Set Names):
| LOINC_NUM | LOINC Fully-Specified Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 24358-4 | Hemogram WO platelets panel:-:Pt:Bld:Qn | HCT & HGB & WBC & RBC & Indices |
| 24359-2 | Hemogram WO platelets & W manual differential panel :-:Pt:Bld:Qn | Hemogram & Differential Count |
| 24317-0 | Hemogram & platelets WO differential panel:-:Pt:Bld:Qn | HCT & HGB & WBC & RBC & Indices & Platelets |
| 24338-6 | Gas panel:-:Pt:Bld:Qn | pH & PO2 & PCO2 on blood without specifying whether arterial, venous, or other source. The report would usually include an observation about the inspired O2 sent along with the report. It may include a variety of other patient characteristics sent by the requester and a variety of computed variables. |
| 24336-0 | Gas panel:-:Pt:BldA: Qn | pH & PO2 & PCO2 on arterial blood. The report would usually include an observation about the inspired O2 sent along with the report. It may include a variety of other patient characteristics sent by the requester and a variety of computed variables. |
| 24339-4 | Gas panel:-:Pt:BldV:Qn | pH & PO2 & PCO2 on venous blood. The report would usually include an observation about the inspired O2 sent along with the report. It may include a variety of other patient characteristics sent by the requester and a variety of computed variables. |
| 29274-8 | Vital signs measurement:Find:Pt:^Patient^Multi | Diastolic Blood Pressure & Systolic Blood Pressure & Pulse Rate & Respiratory Rate |
| 24357-6 | Urinalysis macro (dipstick) panel:-:Pt:Urine:- | Urinalysis dipstick results. Usually includes Glucose, Bilirubin, estimate of leukocytes, estimate of RBCs, estimate of bacteria, Ph, Specific gravity. But we do not make distinctions about the exact set of measures on the dipstick. The ordering clinician will not necessarily know what particular dipstick is being used and is not able or interested in making those distinctions. |
| 29576-6 | Bacterial susceptibility panel:-:Pt:Isolate:OrdQn | Would include susceptibility results for the antibiotics relevant to the isolates and the kind of culture. |