LOINC Code 51855-5: Patient Note
51855-5 is a LOINC code used to identify Patient Note 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 Note. It is commonly used with the system or sample type {Setting}.
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 Note. It is commonly used with the system or sample type {Setting}.
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: Both
- Method: Patient
What it does not mean
- The code identifies the observation or test, not the actual result.
Key facts
- Patient Note
- Note
- A patient authored note is generated by a patient, or a patient agent (proxy), acting in a non-clinical role to provide clinically relevant information. The information within the note is used to support planned or unplanned health care services. This document gives healthcare providers and others involved in a person's care information which the patient considers essential input during care delivery and coordination. This document enables patients and their agents to contribute to the continuity of care. The patient agent may not have a legally defined relationship with the patient (e.g. a close friend). Because a patient authored note is generated by a person acting as a non-clinician, this document may not be a complete medical summary and should be considered in context with other information routinely collected by clinicians during care delivery and coordination. This general class of patient authored notes includes information that is interoperable with data defined for clinician-generated documents. Other more specific classes of patient authored notes may include more tightly defined content. This document may be generated from a patient-, clinician-, or payer-controlled source system.
- DOC.ONT; Document; Encounter; Evaluation and management; Evaluation and management note; Finding; Findings; notes; Point in time; Random; Visit note
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
Frequently asked questions
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.