# What does System refer to?

**URL:** <https://forum.loinc.org/t/what-does-system-refer-to/1072>\
**Category:** general-discussion\
**Created:** [October 20, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/what-does-system-refer-to/1072 "2020-10-20T16:55:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cmcntsh](https://forum.loinc.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/bc8723/32.png) [@cmcntsh](https://forum.loinc.org/u/cmcntsh)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/what-does-system-refer-to/1072/1 "2020-10-20T16:55:16Z")

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We had a question regarding the System part of the LOINC name. Does system refer to what sample was sent to the lab or what was actually analyzed? Most of the time they are the same, but on occasion the sample that is sent to a lab can be separated into components which can be analyzed separately. I didn’t see a clear distinction in the LOINC User’s Guide.

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**Author:** ![pdbanning](https://forum.loinc.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9f8e36/32.png) [@pdbanning](https://forum.loinc.org/u/pdbanning)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/what-does-system-refer-to/1072/2 "2020-10-20T18:11:16Z")

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Hi Christopher,

The system refers to what is actually analyzed. Perhaps this example can help your team: Folate can be run on Whole Blood, Serum/Plasma and RBC’s. There are three different LOINCs for these three specimens which are all obtained by venipuncture initially.

Let me know if you need more information.

Best regards,

Pam Banning

Lab LOINC committee co-chair

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**Author:** ![system](https://forum.loinc.org/uploads/default/original/1X/dbab97ce9b2987d788a376e254fcaae249f3b672.png) [@system](https://forum.loinc.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/what-does-system-refer-to/1072/3 "2023-06-23T15:36:45Z")

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