Quality in laboratory medicine: 50years on

Area of Science:

• Laboratory Medicine
• Clinical Pathology
• Healthcare Quality Management

Background:

• The past 50 years have witnessed significant evolution in laboratory medicine's role and quality standards.
• Technological advancements have driven improvements, notably reducing analytical errors in clinical laboratories.

Observation:

• The implementation and monitoring of quality indicators (QIs), including analytical performance specifications like bias and imprecision, have been crucial for error reduction.
• The scope of quality concerns has expanded from analytical errors to encompass all laboratory processes, then to errors in test requesting and result interpretation, and finally to laboratory-associated errors impacting patient safety.

Findings:

• Clinical laboratories have historically concentrated on internal quality indicators related to analytical performance, efficiency, and productivity.
• A paradigm shift is necessary, moving beyond internal metrics to embrace indicators of total quality, clinical effectiveness, and patient outcomes.

Implications:

• This shift is essential for enhancing patient care and ensuring the overall effectiveness of laboratory services in modern medicine.
• Adopting a broader perspective on quality management is critical for addressing complex healthcare challenges and improving patient safety.