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. 2025 Jun 1;32(6):1066-1070.
doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocaf061.

A resource for Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes terms that may be associated with identifying information

Mehdi Nourelahi  1 , Eugene M Sadhu  1 , Malarkodi J Samayamuthu  1 , Shyam Visweswaran  1   2
Affiliations

A resource for Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes terms that may be associated with identifying information

Mehdi Nourelahi et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. .

Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective was to compile a comprehensive list of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) terms that may be associated with patient, healthcare provider, and healthcare facility identifying information.

Materials and methods: We developed a 2-step procedure for identifying LOINC terms, which consists of a keyword search of Long Common Names and filtering on selected property values, followed by expert physician review to confirm and categorize the terms.

Results: The final list comprises 1309 LOINC terms potentially associated with identifying information of patients, providers, and facilities. This list is publicly available on GitHub.

Discussion: Compared with electronic health record data coded with other terminologies, LOINC-coded data present unique challenges for deidentification, and a resource of LOINC terms that may be associated with identifying information will be helpful for this purpose.

Conclusion: This resource is valuable for deidentifying LOINC-coded data, ensuring compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and preserving the privacy of patients, providers, and facilities.

Keywords: LOINC; personally identifiable information.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

References

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