When examining a lab result, a provider sees a number, a unit, and possibly a reference range. Behind it sits an entire framework of coded data that enables different systems to recognize what that result actually means. Getting those codes right – especially the LOINC codes that identify tests and observations – is what makes lab information usable across health systems.
In a recent webinar, leaders from Cedars-Sinai and IMO Health shared what it takes to make that framework function in real life. Their discussion covered why accurate LOINC mapping is essential, how teams can reduce the burden on analysts, and what’s next for labs as they navigate new data standards and regulatory expectations.
Why LOINC still matters more than ever
A six-digit code might seem simple, but LOINC – short for Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes – is what allows lab data to move cleanly between organizations.
As Dana Locke, Director of Clinical Informatics at IMO Health, explained, “[LOINC] enables data interoperability. It’s a common language – without it, systems can’t understand each other’s data, even if they’re connected.”
That shared language powers everything from regional COVID-19 tracking to routine lab result exchange. “A good example is if a patient gets labs in one hospital, they can have their results understood and acted upon in a different facility,” Locke said.
[LOINC] enables data interoperability. It’s a common language – without it, systems can’t understand each other’s data, even if they’re connected.
The hidden costs of missing LOINC codes
Mapping errors can ripple across clinical, financial, and operational teams. Locke pointed out that missing or incorrect LOINC codes can lead to “denied claims, delayed payments, audit issues, [and] compliance issues.”
At Cedars-Sinai, Wyndi Sklar-Bleeker, Lead Application Specialist, saw how quickly code mapping compounds. “[We’re talking about] tens of thousands of codes… it can be very overwhelming. Resourcing analysts for mappings was a huge pain point.”
And sometimes the risks reach patients directly. “If the wrong LOINC code is used – say, coding a urine glucose versus a blood glucose test – that could lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment,” Locke added.
Building consistency across labs and imaging
At Cedars-Sinai, standardizing code mapping began with imaging and soon extended to lab and infection control systems. “What we did was have [IMO Health] map LOINC with those imaging orders so we could use those order mappings for data exchange with other organizations,” Sklar-Bleeker said.
When the health system began planning for a new infection control system, Sklar-Bleeker’s team decided to apply the same approach. “We wanted to utilize [IMO Health’s solution] for the organisms,” she explained. “[It was] exciting that you could achieve that and get those SNOMED CT® concepts mapped at the organism level for us.”
The result: significant time savings for analysts and far fewer mapping errors later in the process.
Human expertise still matters in code mapping
Even with the right tools, accurate mapping relies on the individuals doing the work. “You need a real-world lab person to accurately speak to all of the components, not a technical analyst,” Locke said. “You don’t want a microbiologist assigning codes to hematology… or vice versa.”
Locke described IMO Health’s approach as pairing that real-world experience with technical fluency. “We have real lab scientists – they’ve worked in the field for many years,” she said. “All of them have also worked in the terminology world… They know LOINC like the back of their hand.” That combination of clinical and informatics knowledge makes large-scale mapping faster and more reliable.
Preparing for what’s next in LOINC
Looking ahead, LOINC continues to evolve. Locke noted ongoing efforts to align LOINC with SNOMED CT, introduce “trial codes,” and expand support for social determinants of health (SDOH) data. “LOINC has a strong presence there… that’s something we’re adopting here [at IMO Health],” she said.
At Cedars-Sinai, those updates tie directly into compliance, supporting the state of California reporting requirements – a reminder that effective terminology management now supports both clinical and regulatory needs.
Takeaway for providers
For any organization working to improve interoperability, Cedars-Sinai’s experience shows that progress depends on partnership. It’s about giving experts the tools and the time to make clean, accurate mappings possible.
As Sklar-Bleeker said, “It’s so much easier to just hand data over to IMO Health, have them run with it, and then present back their findings.”
Still unsure how to get the most out of your lab data? Watch the full replay here.
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