[Traceability and harmonization in clinical laboratory]

Area of Science:

• Clinical chemistry
• Laboratory medicine
• Analytical chemistry

Context:

• Inter-laboratory comparisons are crucial for reliable patient monitoring.
• Variability in laboratory determination methods hinders result comparability.
• Traceability to common standards is often overlooked in practice.

Purpose:

• To highlight the necessity of comparable laboratory determination techniques.
• To emphasize the importance of method traceability for accurate comparisons.
• To advocate for clear method identification in laboratory reports.

Summary:

• Laboratory results are only comparable if methods are traceable to common standards, irrespective of manufacturer or specific technique.
• Few laboratory determinations currently meet this essential comparability requirement.
• Physicians should consistently use the same laboratory or methods for patient follow-up.

Impact:

• Ensures accurate patient diagnosis and treatment through reliable test results.
• Improves the quality and consistency of clinical decision-making.
• Promotes standardization in laboratory medicine, enhancing data interpretation.