Full definition
LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is the international terminology for identifying laboratory tests and clinical observations. Where SNOMED-CT covers diagnoses, problems, and findings, LOINC covers the measurements themselves — "haemoglobin in blood by automated count" has a unique LOINC code that's the same across every lab and EHR globally. Without a shared identifier, the same lab test gets recorded with thousands of slightly different names; with LOINC, it's one stable concept.
LOINC is published by the Regenstrief Institute and is free to use. It covers ~95,000 concepts across labs, vital signs, ECG, document codes, and survey instruments. Major EHRs, lab information systems, and HIE/EHR exchanges all use LOINC for results-data interoperability. The US 21st Century Cures Act mandates LOINC for certified EHR results data; EU EHDS specifies LOINC alongside SNOMED-CT for the European Health Data Space.
For a modern clinic platform: LOINC is the right way to identify lab and observation data. MOVO-X stores lab results LOINC-coded and can map between LOINC and proprietary lab codes (Quest, Labcorp, regional labs) on ingestion.
Where loinc (logical observation identifiers names and codes) is used
- EMR / EHR results data — labs, vital signs, ECG
- Lab Information Systems (LIS) for results identification
- Health Information Exchanges (HIE) — cross-system results sharing
- Clinical research — measurement standardisation
- Public-health surveillance and reporting
- Quality measure calculation
Types of loinc (logical observation identifiers names and codes)
LOINC labs
Laboratory test concepts.
LOINC clinical
Vital signs, anthropometry, ECG, imaging order codes.
LOINC documents
Document type codes — discharge summary, progress note, etc.
LOINC surveys
Standardised survey instruments — PHQ-9, GAD-7, etc.
Quantified benefits
- ▸Stable, free, internationally recognised
- ▸Maps cleanly to SNOMED-CT for end-to-end clinical terminology
- ▸Foundation for results interoperability under Cures Act / EHDS
- ▸Enables population-health analytics across systems
Frequently asked
LOINC vs SNOMED-CT — which do I use?+
Both, complementarily. LOINC for what was measured (lab test, vital sign). SNOMED-CT for what was found (diagnosis, problem). Production systems use them together.
Is LOINC free?+
Yes — free to use, no licensing fee. Maintained by the not-for-profit Regenstrief Institute.
Does MOVO-X support LOINC?+
Yes. Lab results and clinical observations are LOINC-coded; mappings to proprietary lab codes are part of the integration with each lab partner.
What about LOINC for non-US?+
LOINC is international. Translations exist for major languages. Adoption varies by country but the underlying concept catalogue is consistent globally.
How does LOINC integrate with FHIR?+
FHIR Observation resources reference LOINC codes for the test/observation type. Standard pattern in modern healthcare APIs.