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Development of North American consensus guidelines for medical laboratories that perform and interpret platelet
Catherine P M Hayward1, Karen A Moffat, Anne Raby
1North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association, Rochester, MN, USA.
Insights
New North American guidelines for platelet function testing were developed to standardize best practices. These consensus-based recommendations aim to reduce testing variances and improve the interpretation of light transmission platelet aggregometry (LTA) results.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Platelet function testing is crucial for diagnosing bleeding disorders.
- Variances in testing and interpretation necessitate standardized guidelines.
Framework:
- Developed North American guidelines for platelet function testing via expert consensus.
- Recommendations focused on the evaluation and interpretation of light transmission platelet aggregometry (LTA).
Implementation:
- Gathered medical opinions from 10 Ontario laboratories (QMP-LS) and 47 North American laboratories (NASCOLA).
- Achieved consensus for all QMP-LS recommendations and 89% of NASCOLA recommendations.
Implications:
- Provides North American laboratories with enhanced guidance on platelet function testing.
- Aims to promote best practices and reduce unnecessary testing variances.
- Facilitates improved interpretation of LTA abnormalities for better patient care.
Abstract:
Platelet function testing is important for the diagnostic evaluation of common and rare bleeding disorders. Our study goals were to promote best practices and reduce unnecessary testing variances by developing North American guidelines on platelet function testing. Guidelines were developed by consensus for expert recommendations (minimum level for approval, 70%) that included recommendations on the evaluation and interpretation of light transmission platelet aggregometry (LTA). To assess consensus, medical opinions on recommendations were gathered from diagnostic laboratories that perform LTA, in collaboration with the Quality Management Program-Laboratory Services (QMP-LS) in Ontario, Canada (10 laboratories), and the North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association (NASCOLA; 47 laboratories, 5 overlapping the QMP-LS group). Adequate consensus was achieved for all and 89% of recommendations for the QMP-LS and NASCOLA groups, respectively. The recommendations adopted provide North American laboratories with additional guidance on platelet function testing, including how to interpret LTA abnormalities.
