Terminology, units and reporting - how harmonized do we need to be?

Area of Science:

• Laboratory Medicine
• Clinical Informatics
• Healthcare Standardization

Background:

• Variations in laboratory testing practices create inefficiencies and potential patient safety risks.
• Inconsistent nomenclature, reference intervals, units, and data presentation hinder effective communication.
• The total testing process relies on clear and reliable communication for optimal service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the necessity of harmonization initiatives in laboratory medicine.
• To underscore the importance of consistent application of terminology, units, and reporting.
• To address inefficiencies and patient safety risks stemming from current variations in practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of current practices in laboratory testing nomenclature, units, and reporting.
• Analysis of the role of clinical terminologies (e.g., SNOMED-CT, LOINC) in electronic health records (EHRs).
• Discussion of requirements for interoperability in electronic laboratory testing systems.

Main Results:

• Harmonization efforts require significant, ongoing local, national, and international collaboration.
• Stakeholder involvement from diverse groups is essential for successful harmonization programs.
• Standardized guidelines are necessary for consistent representation of laboratory data in modern EHRs.

Conclusions:

• Achieving consistent laboratory service requires collaborative, iterative harmonization efforts.
• Standardization across analytical methods, reporting, and data presentation is vital.
• Continuous evolution in analytical performance and diagnostics necessitates ongoing harmonization.