Promoting clinical and laboratory interaction by harmonization.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Laboratory Science
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Inconsistent clinical laboratory results necessitate standardization and harmonization.
• Current harmonization efforts primarily focus on measurement procedures and analytical results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for broader harmonization in laboratory testing.
• To emphasize improving pre- and post-analytical phases and the laboratory-clinical interface.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing standardization and harmonization initiatives.
• Analysis of error-prone steps in the total testing process.
• Discussion of laboratory-physician collaboration.

Main Results:

• Harmonization scope extends to terminology, units, reporting, reference limits, and interpretation criteria.
• Pre-pre- and post-post-analytical steps are highly vulnerable to errors.
• Effective management of test demand and result interpretation is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Harmonization initiatives must encompass all aspects of laboratory testing.
• Improving the laboratory-clinical interface is essential for quality and safety.
• Enhanced test demand management and physician understanding of lab data are critical.