What does this LOINC code represent?

This LOINC code identifies a lab observation, measurement, question, or clinical concept in a standardized format.

Is this enough to understand my test result?

No. The code identifies the test or observation, but the interpretation depends on the actual result, reference range, and clinical context.

LOINCActiveObservation

LOINC Code 44261-6: Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9) total score [Reported]

Name: LOINC Code 44261-6: Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9) total score [Reported]
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T08:59:29.267Z

44261-6 is a LOINC code used to identify Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9) total score [Reported] in laboratory and clinical observation data. You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges. LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component Patient health questionnaire 9 item total score. It is commonly used with the system or sample type ^Patient.

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component Patient health questionnaire 9 item total score. It is commonly used with the system or sample type ^Patient.

When is it used?

Used in lab systems, EHRs, and clinical data exchange.
May identify a test, observation, survey item, or clinical document request rather than a diagnosis.
Status: ACTIVE
Order vs observation: Observation
Method: Reported.PHQ

What it does not mean

The code identifies the observation or test, not the actual result.

Key facts

Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9) total score [Reported]

Patient health questionnaire 9 item total score

The PHQ-9 is the standard (and most commonly used) depression measure, and it ranges from 0-27 ScoringAdd up all checked boxes on PHQ-9. For every check: Not at all = 0; Several days = 1; More than half the days = 2; Nearly every day = 3 (the scores are the codes that appear in the answer list for each of the PHQ-9 problem panel terms). Interpretation: 1-4 = Minimal depression; 5-9 = Mild depression; 10-14 = Moderate depression; 15-19 = Moderately severe depression; 20-27 = Severed depression.

Mental health; MentalHealth; Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ; PHQ 9; PHQ9; PHQ-9; PHQ-9 total score; Point in time; Psych; Psychiatry; QNT; Quan; Quant; Quantitative; Random; Scale; Scre; Survey; SURVEY.PHQ; Tot; Totl

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges.

Common synonyms

Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9) total score [Reported]Patient health questionnaire 9 item total scoreSURVEY.PHQScorePt^PatientQn

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Code44261-6

SystemLOINC

Display namePatient Health Questionnaire 9 item (PHQ-9) total score [Reported]

DescriptionPatient health questionnaire 9 item total score

ComponentPatient health questionnaire 9 item total score

PropertyScore

TimingPt

System (specimen)^Patient

ScaleQn

MethodReported.PHQ

ClassSURVEY.PHQ

Example unitsscore

StatusACTIVE

Order/ObservationObservation

Flags

BillableNo

Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceLOINC

Version2.82

Releasemain

First released2.17

Last changed2.73

Part names

Patient health questionnaire 9 item total scoreScorePt^PatientQnReported.PHQPoint in time (spot)Patient Health Questionnaire

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from LOINC. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.