An introduction to the clinical laboratory for pharmacists

The intent of this article is to provide pharmacists with an introduction to the clinical laboratory. As clinical pharmacy services expand, interactions between pharmacists and the laboratory will increase. Laboratory results are an essential tool for pharmacists involved in monitoring drug therapy and adjusting dosing regimens. Laboratory medicine, however, is a complex and rapidly changing field with new analytical techniques and instruments continually being developed. Thus, methodologies vary greatly from one laboratory to another and even within the same laboratory from time to time. Quality control procedures are necessary to ensure accurate and reliable results. The medical technologists who staff clinical laboratories are highly trained professionals. Pharmacists should utilize the medical technologist as a consultant on the interpretation and limitations of laboratory tests. Likewise, there are many areas, such as therapeutic drug monitoring, in which the pharmacist can serve as a consultant to the laboratory. Pharmacists involved in patient care will benefit from a greater understanding of the clinical laboratory, and may also find new opportunities for clinical pharmacy practice and interaction with other health care professionals.