Skip Navigation Bar

Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS®)

UMLS Quick Start Guide | FAQs | Customer Support | UMLS Site Map

2010AA LOINC Source Information




Skip to: Notes, Summary of Changes, Summary of Source-Provided Files, Source-Provided File Details

VSABS:

  • LNC229
  • LNC229_BRADEN_1988
  • LNC229_CAM_2003
  • LNC229_FLACC_1997
  • LNC229_MDS20
  • LNC229_MDS30
  • LNC229_OASIS_2002
  • LNC229_PHQ_9_1999
  • LNC229_RHO_2008
  • LNC229_WHO_2006

Notes

In addition to the LNC SAB, LOINC includes nine subsources, which are assigned by an algorithm using field 43 (EXTERNAL_COPYRIGHT_NOTICE), field 9 (CLASS) and field 7 (METHOD_TYP).  The representation described below applies to all subsources.

Summary of Changes in this version

  (return to top)

The subsource assignment algorithm was adjusted to assign three new subsources:

  • LNC_CAM:
    Adapted from: Inouye SK, vanDyck CH, Alessi CA, Balkin S, Siegal AP, Horwitz RI. Clarifying confusion: The Confusion Assessment Method. A new method for detection of delirium. Ann Intern Med. 1990; 113: 941-948. Confusion Assessment Method: Training Manual and Coding Guide, Copyright 2003, Sharon K. Inouye, M.D., MPH.
  • LNC_MDS20
  • LNC_MDS30
    LOINC includes data from two versions of the Minimum Data Set (MDS): 2.0 and 3.0. MDS is part of the U.S. federally mandated process for clinical assessment of all residents in Medicare or Medicaid certified nursing homes. This process provides a comprehensive assessment of each resident's functional capabilities and helps nursing home staff identify health problems. MDS is maintained by the Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
SAB LNC_MDS was removed:

To clarify version information, the SAB LNC_MDS has been removed. Its content remains and is divided between the two new sources LNC_MDS20 and LNC_MDS30.

New Termtype: OLC

Obsolete Long Common Name (SUPPRESS = "O"). Previously, all atoms created from field 46, LONG_COMMON_NAME, were represented with TTY = "LC".


Source-Provided Files: Summary

  (return to top)

The complete LOINC distribution includes the following.

Documentation and Reference

File Name Description
LOINC_ReleaseNotes.txt Release notes, updated with each LOINC version
LOINCManual.pdf The complete documentation, including tables used to expand abbreviations

Data files

File Name Description
LOINCDB.TXT Primary LOINC data files
LOINC_PARTS_V2-29_2009-12-30.txt Parts names and codes
LOINC_PART_LINKS_V2-29_2009-12-30.txt Part links, for relationships (?) and hierarchy
LOINC_V229_MULTI-AXIAL_HIERARCHY.CSV The records in this file represent nodes of the hierarchy, whether LOINC Parts or full LOINC codes.
The ordered sequence at any level of the hierarchy is given by the SEQUENCE field. Top level nodes in the hierarchy are those where PATH_TO_ROOT is null.
This is a "Comma Separated Value" text file.

Not included:
LOINCDB.TXT:Fields that are for internal (LOINC) use are not processed for the Metathesaurus.
Fields that are not used are indicated by "Not used" in the "Representation" columns below.

Source-Provided Files: Details

  (return to top)

Details on format of input files and representation of source data. Consult the LOINC documentation for additional details.

file:LOINCDB.TXT

# Field Description Representation
1 LOINC_NUM Unique Code; format is #####-# MRCONSO.CODE
2 COMPONENT Fields 2-7 contain the six parts of the name.
The fully-specified name for a given LOINC code is constructed by concatenating the contents of these fields,
inserting a colon (":") between each element.
  • First segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LN" or "LO"
  • First segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LX" or "OLX" (with expansions)
  • Subfield 1 = MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "CN"
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "CX" (subfield 1, with expansions)
  • Entire field: MRSAT.ATN = LOINC_COMPONENT
3 PROPERTY
  • Second segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LN" or "LO"
  • Second segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LX" or "OLX" (with expansions)
  • MRSAT.ATN = LOINC_PROPERTY
4 TIME_ASPCT
  • Third segment of colon-separated fully-specifie name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LN" or "LO"
  • Third segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LX" or "OLX" (with expansions)
  • MRSAT.ATN = LOINC_TIME_ASPECT
5 SYSTEM
  • Fourth segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LN" or "LO"
  • Fourth segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LX" or "OLX" (with expansions)
  • First subfield: MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LS" (with expansions)
  • MRSAT.ATN = LOINC_SYSTEM
6 SCALE_TYP
  • Fifth segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LN" or "LO"
  • Fifth segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LX" or "OLX" (with expansions)
  • MRSAT.ATN = LOINC_SCALE_TYP
7 METHOD_TYP
  • Sixth segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LN" or "LO"
  • Sixth segment of colon-separated fully-specified name, MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LX" or "OLX" (with expansions)
  • MRSAT.ATN = LOINC_METHOD_TYP
  • Used in the subsource assignment algorithm
8 RELAT_NMS Field no longer maintained.
Replaced by field 38, RelatedNames2		 MRSAT.ATN = "LRN"
9 CLASS Arbitrary classification of the terms for grouping related observations together. See Table 21 in the LOINC Users’ Guide for values.
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "HS"
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "HC" (with expansions)
  • MRSAT.ATN = "LCL"
  • Used to build hierarchy
  • Used in the subsource assignment algorithm
10 SOURCE Internal use only Not used
11 DT_LAST_CH Date last changed; format is YYYYMMDD MRSAT.ATN = "LLR"
12 CHNG_TYPE Change Type Code: "DEL" = delete (deprecate); "ADD" = add; "NAM" = change to Analyte/Component (field #2); "MAJ" = change to name field other than #2 (#3 - #7); "MIN" = change to field other than name; "UND" = undelete MRSAT.ATN = "LCT"
13 COMMENTS Free-text comments relating to the test result MRSAT.ATN = "SOS"
14 ANSWERLIST Contents of this field have been moved to structured lists which may be viewed using RELMA MRSAT.ATN = "LAL"
15 STATUS Deprecated or superseded status indicated by DEL
  • For records with STATUS = "DEL", an obsolete TTY is assigned, and MRCONSO.SUPPRESS = "O"
  • MRSAT.ATN = "LCS"
16 MAP_TO For codes with status = "DEL", contains the LOINC code of the new term that should be used
  • Used to create mapped_to relationships between "LN" and "LO" atoms
  • MRSAT.ATN = "LMP"
17 SCOPE Not currently used Not used
18 CONSUMER_NAME Consumer-friendly name for this term. Content is experimental (beta). Not used
19 IPCC_UNITS Moved; can be viewed in details screen in RELMA. Not used
20 REFERENCE References to medical literature, product announcements or other written sources. MRSAT.ATN = "LRF"
21 EXACT_CMP_SY Exact synonym for the "core component" of the component name.
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "SN"
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "SX" (with expansions)
22 MOLAR_MASS Molecular weights, contributed by IUPAC MRSAT.ATN = "LMM"
23 CLASSTYPE 1 = Laboratory; 2 = Clinical class; 3 = Claims attachments; 4=Surveys
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "HC"
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "HS" (with expansions)
  • MRSAT.ATN = "LCN"
  • Used to build hierarchy
24 FORMULA Regression equation details MRSAT.ATN = "LFO"
25 SPECIES Indicates which non-human species this code applies to MRSAT.ATN = "LSP"
26 EXMPL_ANSWERS Examples of valid answers MRSAT.ATN = "LEA"
27 ACSSYM Chemical name synonyms, alternative names and chemical formulae, supplied by CAS MRSAT.ATN = "LCA"; an attribute is created for each comma-separated value in this field
28 BASE_NAME Chemical base name from CAS MRSAT.ATN =  "LCB"
29 FINAL Internal LOINC use Not used
30 NAACCR_ID North American Association of Central Cancer Registries Identification Number MRSAT.ATN = "LNC"
31 CODE_TABLE Examples on CR0050 Cancer Registry MRSAT.ATN = "LNE"
32 SETROOT Indicates that this record is the root of a set of LOINC codes Not processed
33 PANELELEMENTS No longer maintained LPL
34 SURVEY_QUEST_TXT Question from survey instrument MRSAT.ATN = "LQT"
35 SURVEY_QUEST_SRC Name of survey instrument and item/question number MRSAT.ATN = "LQS"
36 UNITS_REQUIRED Y/N indicates whether units are required for OBX segment in a HIPAA attachment MRSAT.ATN = "LUR"
37 SUBMITTED_UNITS Moved to RELMA MRSAT.ATN = "LSU"
38 RELATEDNAMES2 Synonyms for each part of the fully-specified LOINC name (component, property, time, system, scale, method) MRSAT.ATN = "LRN2"
39 SHORTNAME Concatenation of the fully-specified LOINC name MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "OSN", "OOSN"
40 ORDER_OBS Defines term as an order only, observation only, both, or Subset MRSAT.ATN = "LOR"
41 CDISC_COMMON_TESTS Y indicates member of subset used by CDISC in clinical trials MRSAT.ATN = "LCD"
42 HL7_FIELD_SUBFIELD_ID Indicates that the content should be delivered in the named field/subfield of the HL7 message. MRSAT.ATN = "HL7_FIELD_SUBFIELD"
43 EXTERNAL_COPYRIGHT_NOTICE External copyright holder information
  • MRSAT.ATN = "COPYRIGHT"
  • Used in the subsource assignment algorithm
44 EXAMPLE_UNITS Indicates representative units MRSAT.ATN = "EXAMPLE_UNITS"
45 INPC_PERCENTAGE Percent of overall result volume within the INPC MRSAT.ATN = "INPC_PERCENTAGE"
46 LONG_COMMON_NAME Readable version of LOINC term MRCONSO.ATN = "LC, OLC"
47 HL7_V2_DATATYPE HL7 version 2.x datatype MRSAT.ATN = "HL7_V2_DATATYPE"
48 HL7_V3_DATATYPE HL7 version 3.0 datatype MRSAT.ATN = "HL7_V3_DATATYPE"
49 CURATED_RANGE_AND_UNITS List of normal ranges and associated units MRSAT.ATN = "CURATED_RANGE_AND_UNITS"
50 DOCUMENT_SECTION Classification of whether this code can be used as a full document, section of a document, or both MRSAT.ATN = "DOCUMENT_SECTION"
51 DEFINITION_DESCRIPTION_HELP Similar to comments; describes term and how to use it. MRSAT.ATN = "DEFINITION_DESCRIPTION_HELP"
52 EXAMPLE_UCUM_UNITS Example units of measure expressed as UCUM units MRSAT.ATN = "EXAMPLE_UCUM_UNITS"

file:LOINC_PARTS

# Field Representation
1 L_PART_ID MRCONSO.CODE
2 PART_TYPE Values are: ADJUSTMENT, CHALLENGE, CLASS,
COMPONENT, COUNT, DIVISORS, FRAGMENTS FOR SYNONYMS,
METHOD, MULTI-AXIAL, MULTIPART, PROPERTY, QUOTIENTS,
SCALE, SUFFIX, SUPER SYSTEM, SUPERCLASS,
SUPERSYSTEMMULTI-AXIAL, SYSTEM, TIME, TIME MODIFIER.
Parts with PART_TYPE of MULTIPART, QUOTIENTS, or SUPERCLASS are not included in Metathesaurus source processing;
used to create relationships between LOINC PARTS and LOINC IDs.
3 NAME_CASE_INSENSITIVE MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LPN'
4 DISPLAY_NAME
  • MRCONSO.STR, TTY = "LPDN" (only "DISPLAY_NAME" values that contain the pattern "Allergen Mix" are included as LPDN atoms
  • MRSAT.ATN = "SOS"
5 SHORT_NAME_MIXED_CASE Not used

file:LOINC_PART_LINKS

# Field Description Representation
1 LOINC_NUM LOINC CODE A relationship (STYPE = "CODE") is created between the LOINC CODE and the LOINC PART.
The REL = "RO";
The RELA is assigned based on the LOINC_PARTS.PART_TYPE of the L_PART_ID as follows:

PART_TYPE RELA/inverse_RELA
ADJUSTMENT has_adjustment adjustment_of
CHALLENGE has_challenge challenge_of
CLASS has_class class_of
COMPONENT has_component component_of
DIVISORS has_divisor divisor_of
FRAGMENTS FOR SYNONYMS has_fragments_for_synonyms fragments_for_synonyms_of
METHOD has_method method_of
PROPERTY has_property property_of
SCALE has_scale scale_of
SUFFIX has_suffix suffix_of
SUPERSYSTEM has_supersystem supersystem_of
SYSTEM has_system system_of
TIME has_time_aspect time_aspect_of
TIME MONITOR has_time_monitor time_monitor_of

Note: No PARTS with PART TYPEs of "COUNT," "MULTI-AXIAL" and "SUPERSYSTEMMULTI-AXIAL"
appear in the current "LOINC_PART_LINKS" file, therefore no relationships are created for those PART TYPE values.
2 L_PART_ID LOINC PART CODE
3 LINK_TYPE Value is always "1" Not processed

file:LOINC_MUTLI-AXIAL_HIERARCHY

# Field Representation
1 PATH_TO_ROOT Used to create the hierarchy tree under the " LOINCPARTS" concept
2 SEQUENCE Not used
3 IMMEDIATE_PARENT Not used
4 CODE The identifier of the "child" concept; all end nodes are LOINC IDs; ancestors are LOINC PARTs
5 CODE_TEXT Not used