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 78026-2: Diagnosis present on admission

Name: LOINC Code 78026-2: Diagnosis present on admission
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T08:59:58.755Z

78026-2 is a LOINC code used to identify Diagnosis present on admission 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 Diagnosis present on admission. 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 Diagnosis present on admission. 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

What it does not mean

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

Key facts

Diagnosis present on admission

Indicates whether or not the diagnosis was present on admission (POA) when the patient was admitted into the hospital as an inpatient. This term was created for, but not limited in use to, the Present on Admission observation in the HL7 Implementation Guide for CDA® Release 2National Health Care Surveys Release 1. Whether or not a specific condition was present at the time a patient was admitted. Note that the concept of "diagnosis" is different than a "condition". Conditions include symptoms, diseases, injuries, and non-pathologic states, while diagnoses are specifically identified by a provider as the source of a patient's signs and symptoms. For example, a patient admitted to the hospital with conditions that include abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting may be diagnosed with appendicitis by a provider based on the history, physical exam, and various test results. To report whether a condition was present on admission, use [LOINC: 89251-3].

Dx; Dx pres on admission; Finding; Findings; Ordinal; Point in time; QL; Qual; Qualitative; Random; Screen; Survey; SURVEY.NHCS

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

Diagnosis present on admissionSURVEY.NHCSFindPt^PatientOrdFinding

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.

LOINC Code 78026-2: Diagnosis present on admission

What is this code?

When is it used?

What it does not mean

Key facts

Where you may see this code

Common synonyms

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Flags

Source

Part names