a+LOINC+Order+Code+Charter+and+Members

include component="page" wikiName="siframework" page="a loinc header" =Background= The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing incentive payments to health care providers who adopt certified electronic health record technology and use it to demonstrate meaningful use of that technology. The CMS incentive program is being implemented in several stages or phases. Stage 2 criteria for meaningful use focuses on the electronic capturing of health information, including laboratory test results, in a structured format. The structured format for laboratory tests and orders allows the ability to incorporate LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) terminology for ordering and reporting laboratory testing. Because of meaningful use certification requirements, laboratories are required to use LOINC terminology in the electronic transmission of laboratory results. However, at this time, laboratories are not required to adopt any standardized vocabulary for the electronic ordering of laboratory tests. =Challenge Statement= The use of non-standardized local codes or terminology to describe laboratory test orders varies widely among laboratories. Universal use of LOINC coding for laboratory order and result information in a structured and systematic fashion is an essential component of interoperability between providers, clinical laboratories and public health laboratories. =Purpose and Goals= This project will focus on the enhancement and expansion of the standardized list of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Codes for the Most Commonly Ordered Laboratory Tests in ambulatory care settings (Common Order Codes Value Set) that is published by Regenstrief Institute (www.loinc.org).

Objective: Identify and standardize LOINC codes for the most frequently ordered laboratory tests in ambulatory care settings (80-95% by test volume) resulting in a more complete and up-to-date Common Order Codes Value Set for use in implementation of the EHR Certification Requirements to support Meaningful Use (MU) Stage 3.

=Scope Statement= The following types of laboratory orders are considered **In-Scope**:
 * Testing performed for patients in the ambulatory setting
 * Single analyte test orders (e.g. Hemoglobin A1C) placed from EHR to LIS
 * Method non-specific (unless standard practice normally specifies a particular method)
 * Specimen type (single type unless multiples are common)
 * Fixed panels (e.g. CBC)
 * One for each common combination of analytes
 * Method non-specific (unless standard practice normally specifies a particular method)
 * Specimen type (single type unless multiples are required, then how to treat?)
 * Variable panels (Geographically defined Allergens)
 * Reflex testing
 * Orders placed between the ambulatory provider’s EHR and the laboratory
 * Laboratory test orders that are specific for reportable diseases
 * Laboratory tests for public health (in addition to the 80-95% volume) (TBD)

The following types of laboratory orders are considered Out-of-Scope:
 * Laboratory Orders that are not commonly placed in an ambulatory setting.
 * “Custom” panels
 * Testing performed in the physician office

=Stakeholders=
 * Laboratories that perform testing for patients in the ambulatory care setting
 * Public Health Laboratories
 * State HIEs
 * Local, State, Federal Governments
 * Practice Management Systems
 * Patients and patient advocates
 * Health Organizations
 * Standards and Accreditation Organizations
 * Standards Development Organizations
 * EHR/EMR Vendors
 * Legal Representatives

=Expected Deliverables= Two laboratory test lists that are based on analysis of LOINC Order Code and Public Health Order Code data obtained from HIEs, laboratories that perform ambulatory care laboratory testing, and laboratories performing public health testing will be used to:
 * Identify the missing orderable laboratory tests or miscoded laboratory test order codes (including panels).
 * If needed, develop/create new LOINC order codes for panels/tests identified as missing from the LOINC Order Code and Public Health Order Code data.
 * Publish a recommended list of Standard LOINC Order Codes in a publication(s) or communication format which will reach the audience for which this work is intended.
 * Provide recommendations for possible incorporation into Meaningful Use Stage 3 Certification Criteria

=Timeline= Meeting Announcement published………………………….....................................……………….December 10, 2013 Meeting launch..…….…………………....………….....................................……………..……......…… January 8, 2014 Post baseline aLOINC Order Code and baseline Public Health Order Code…..…...........……………January 22, 2014 Completed aLOINC Order Code and Public Health Order Code lists…………..…..……...….…………August 31, 2014

=Members= media type="custom" key="24977022" include component="page" wikiName="siframework" page="space.template.inc_contentleft_end"