LOINCActiveObservation

LOINC Code 97838-7: Postoperative medical complication before discharge

97838-7 is a LOINC code used to identify Postoperative medical complication before discharge 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 Postoperative medical complication before discharge. 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 Postoperative medical complication before discharge. 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

  • Postoperative medical complication before discharge
  • Disch; Finding; Findings; MSK; Musculoskeletal; Nominal; Ortho; Orthopedics; Point in time; Postop med compl before discharge; Random; SURG

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

Postoperative medical complication before dischargePostop med compl before dischargeSURGFindPt^PatientNom

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Code97838-7
SystemLOINC
Display namePostoperative medical complication before discharge
Short namePostop med compl before discharge
ComponentPostoperative medical complication before discharge
PropertyFind
TimingPt
System (specimen)^Patient
ScaleNom
ClassSURG
StatusACTIVE
Order/ObservationObservation

Flags

BillableNo
Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceLOINC
Version2.82
Releasemain
First released2.70
Last changed2.70

Part names

Postoperative medical complication before dischargeFindPt^PatientNomFindingPoint 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.

LOINC Code 97838-7 | HealthAssure