LOINCActive

LOINC Code 69453-9: Cause of death [US Standard Certificate of Death]

69453-9 is a LOINC code used to identify Cause of death [US Standard Certificate of Death] 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 Cause of death. 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 Cause of death. 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
  • Method: US standard certificate of death

What it does not mean

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

Key facts

Cause of death [US Standard Certificate of Death]
Cause of death
The Cause of Death section in the U.S. Standard Certificate of Death consists of two parts. Part I, represented by this LOINC (69453-9), is for reporting the chain of events leading directly to death, including the immediate cause of death followed by the intermediate and underlying causes of death. A given cause of death may be recorded as both intermediate and underlying. The underlying cause of death (the disease or injury that initiated the chain of morbid events that led directly and inevitably to death) must be reported and should be entered last in Part I. Part II of the Cause of Death section [LOINC69441-4] is for reporting all other significant diseases, conditions, or injuries that contributed to death but which did not result in the underlying cause of death.
Echography; Finding; Findings; Nominal; Point in time; Random; Sonogram; Sonograph; Sonography; Survey; SURVEY.CDC; ULS; Ultrasound; US Death Certificate

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

Cause of death [US Standard Certificate of Death]Cause of deathSURVEY.CDCFindPt^PatientNom

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Code69453-9
SystemLOINC
Display nameCause of death [US Standard Certificate of Death]
DescriptionCause of death
ComponentCause of death
PropertyFind
TimingPt
System (specimen)^Patient
ScaleNom
MethodUS standard certificate of death
ClassSURVEY.CDC
StatusACTIVE

Flags

BillableNo
Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceLOINC
Version2.82
Releasemain
First released2.38
Last changed2.54

Part names

Cause of deathFindPt^PatientNomUS standard certificate of deathFindingPoint in time (spot)

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.