Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
14:56
Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics
Published on: April 6, 2019
Bettertesting: putting laboratory test guidance on the web
1Bishop Auckland General Hospital, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham DL14 6AD.
British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)
|December 17, 2008
Summary
A new website offers guidance on appropriate laboratory test usage in common clinical scenarios. It was developed using a rigorous literature search and will soon feature self-assessment tools for clinicians.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Pathology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Optimal utilization of laboratory testing is crucial for effective patient care.
- Identifying high-quality guidance for common clinical scenarios can be challenging for healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and content of a website providing evidence-based guidance on laboratory test selection.
- To enhance clinical decision-making regarding diagnostic testing.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search strategy was employed to identify best-practice guidelines.
- Website content was curated based on the quality of identified guidance.
Main Results:
- A website (www.bettertesting.org.uk) has been established to offer practical guidance on laboratory test use.
- The resource synthesizes evidence to support appropriate test selection in everyday clinical practice.
Conclusions:
- The website serves as a valuable tool for clinicians seeking reliable information on laboratory testing.
- Future development includes the addition of clinical self-assessment questions to further support learning and application.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
01:14Testing Water Quality
When the quality of water for concrete preparation is uncertain, its impact on the setting time of cement and compressive strength of mortar is assessed by comparison with de-ionized or distilled water benchmarks. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C1602 requires the setting times to be within 90 minutes of the control, British Standard (BS) 3146:1980 allows a 30-minute variance in the initial setting, while British Standards European Norm (BS EN) 1008 specifies initial setting...
01:24Automated Microbial Diagnostics
Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...
01:23Toxicity Testing in Animals
Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...