[The laboratory specialist and clinical interpretation of laboratory results]

The requirements of standards concerning content of laboratory consulting services, including and discussion about individual clinical cases. The information about grounds of interpretation of results of laboratory analyses is presented. The methods of comparison with reference intervals values and decision thresholds, evaluation of effects of various types of non-pathogenic variations, including pharmaceuticals took by patient are considered. The unacceptability of conventional evaluation of obtained results and necessity of individual approach in clinical decision making is emphasized. The particular attention is paid to responsibility of laboratory for urgent informing of clinicians about detected critical alterations of laboratory indicators in patients with high risk of unfavorable outcome. The article presents information about literary sources based both on recommendations of laboratory specialists concerning interpretation and application of laboratory tests and on evaluation of significance of laboratory information under various forms of pathology by leading representatives of clinical disciplines.