Pulmonary vs Respirology for Subject Matter Domain (SMD)

Decision Status: Completed

Background

LOINC uses SMD = Pulmonary. Canada has a synonymous term = Respirology.

Clinical Need/Principle to apply

  • Use only SMD that are valid specialties in Canada
  • Follow Canadian College of Physician and Surgeons names of specialties
  • Make concepts interoperable between systems
  • Follow the international LOINC standard

Caution: Respiratory therapy ≠ respirology (separate SMD).

Options

  1. Keep the American display name
  2. Use Canadian display name

Discussion

How are we going to track new display names?

Will our changes to Canadian parts be synonyms for LOINC Part display names?

We are not changing the Part Number, just the Display Name

Decision

  • Quorum: achieved
  • Consensus was reached: 10 of 11 categories voted (Infoway abstained).
  • Decision: Option 1: Change the display name and part display name
  • Date: November 3rd, 2025

Guideline

Canadian Ontology will change part display names, such as SMD values, to match Canadian medical vocabulary.