: Postponed Procedure Since Pandemic Assessment
: This entry describes a documentation concept for noting that a planned medical procedure or test was postponed at some point since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an administrative or contextual data element, not a laboratory measurement of a bodily substance.
[": This is a scheduling and history concept, not a lab test result, so it carries no numeric value or reference range."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 98866-7
- Short code
- Procedure postponed since pandemic
- Synonyms
- Procedure postponed since pandemic
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- 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 Concept Represents
: This term captures whether a scheduled procedure, test, or appointment was delayed or deferred during the pandemic period. It is used to record context about care timing rather than to measure any substance in the body.
: Why It May Be Documented
: Health systems may track postponements to understand care delays, follow up on deferred services, and support quality improvement or public health reporting. Recording this context helps care teams identify patients who may need rescheduling or catch-up.
: What It Is Not
: This is not a laboratory analyte and does not produce a measured value, concentration, or reference range. It should not be confused with a blood, urine, or other specimen test.
: How It Fits Into Your Record
: If you see this noted in your chart, it simply reflects that a procedure or test was delayed. Your care team can clarify which service was affected and whether any follow-up is needed.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Clinically, care delays can matter because postponed screening, diagnostic, or treatment procedures may affect timely detection and management of conditions. This concept helps organizations monitor and address such delays, but it is a documentation element rather than a diagnostic test, so it has no analytic sensitivity, specificity, or reference interval.
Short name
: NONE
Frequently asked questions
: Does this test measure anything in my blood or urine?
: Will this affect my test results?
: Should I do anything if I see this in my record?
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