Location of Death (Qualitative, Clinical Assessment)
This test is not a standard laboratory blood or urine test but refers to a clinical evaluation used in medical records to document the place or circumstances of a patient’s death. It is not performed on living patients and is not a diagnostic or screening test.
["This is a record-keeping measure, not a medical test."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 71480-8
- Short code
- LOCATIONOFDEATH
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- esrd
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Actually Measures
The ‘location-of-death’ entry is a legal and administrative record kept in medical charts to document where a patient passed away. It is not a laboratory measurement but rather a notation tied to the patient’s death certificate and healthcare documentation. This field is filled out by healthcare providers or coroners after a patient’s death, not during their lifetime.
Why It’s Not a Laboratory Test
Unlike blood tests, urine tests, or other diagnostic procedures, this entry is not part of a medical analysis. It serves a different purpose: to track where a patient’s death occurred for administrative, legal, or insurance purposes. It does not provide health information about the patient’s condition before death.
How It Differs from Medical Testing
Medical tests (e.g., blood glucose, cholesterol, or cancer markers) measure specific substances in the body to assess health. This entry, however, is a static record about the patient’s final location and is unrelated to their medical history or treatment.
Clinical Significance
This entry has no direct clinical relevance to a patient’s health during life. It is used for record-keeping, legal documentation, and insurance claims related to a patient’s death. It does not influence treatment decisions or medical care.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This entry is not a test you can request or receive while alive. It is a retrospective record tied to death certification and is not part of routine medical testing.
Frequently asked questions
Could I request a ‘location-of-death’ test while I’m still alive?
Does this test affect my healthcare or insurance?
Is this test related to any other medical tests I might have had?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy