Can something marked as discouraged still be used?

Legacy general-discussion
1

Hello,

Noticed LOINC Code 52495-9 for Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is marked as “Discouraged”. Is there another LOINC code I should be using?

Thank you

2

Hello Kirk!

Thank you for the question. If the information in the details page does not pertain to your use case, I’d encourage you to write a note to loinc@loinc.org about 52495-9 and how the disclaimer of “Discouraged as items are from a legacy demonstration tool that is no longer maintained.” doesn’t apply to your use case. I can see it’s members of CARE surveys. Is there more information about CARE surveys or CAM in particular that makes the comment about a legacy demonstration system void?

The LHDS (Loinc and Health Data Services) team within Regenstrief will take your information into consideration. Perhaps you’ll see an update in the future.

On a broader note, if a discouraged LOINC is marked because they don’t want physicians ordering it (like manual differentials), lab clients continue to use the codes because the discouraged state is for one use case, but the laboratories have to reflex them on. So it fits the situation. I always give feedback to loinc@loinc.org when a new “discouraged” reason isn’t fit across all use cases, just to let LHDS know that the industry is using it.

Have a great day,

Pam

Lab LOINC committee chair

3

Hello Kirk!

Thank you for the question. If the information in the details page does not pertain to your use case, I’d encourage you to write a note to loinc@loinc.org about 52495-9 and how the disclaimer of “Discouraged as items are from a legacy demonstration tool that is no longer maintained.” doesn’t apply to your use case. I can see it’s members of CARE surveys. Is there more information about CARE surveys or CAM in particular that makes the comment about a legacy demonstration system void?

The LHDS (Loinc and Health Data Services) team within Regenstrief will take your information into consideration. Perhaps you’ll see an update in the future.

On a broader note, if a discouraged LOINC is marked because they don’t want physicians ordering it (like manual differentials), lab clients continue to use the codes because the discouraged state is for one use case, but the laboratories have to reflex them on. So it fits the situation. I always give feedback to loinc@loinc.org when a new “discouraged” reason isn’t fit across all use cases, just to let LHDS know that the industry is using it.

Have a great day,

Pam

Lab LOINC committee chair

4

Thank you Pam. I’ll reach out to that email later today.