College of American Pathologists Conference XXVIII on alternate site testing: introduction

The College of American Pathologists Conference XXVIII, Alternate Site Testing Conference: Venturing Beyond the Boundaries of the Clinical Laboratory, was held from January 29 through February 1, 1995. This open format consensus conference gathered together individuals with many different points of view on the topic of hospital laboratory testing in noncentralized laboratories. The goals of the conference were to establish a basis for common beliefs about alternate site testing, to discover where consensus existed, and to establish future directions for consensus development and resolution of disputes in this sometimes contentious and confusing area of laboratory medicine. Attainment of the goals was attempted through a variety of conference activities, including plenary addresses, poster sessions, and, most importantly, through open-forum breakout sessions. During the breakout sessions all conference attendees were invited to contribute ideas toward the development of consensus about critical issues surrounding alternate site testing. Although it is clear that much work remains to be done if we are to learn how to use alternate site testing strategies to the best advantage, an important beginning has been made. The stage has been set as we continue to provide high-quality laboratory testing in an era that demands both fast turnaround time and optimal cost effectiveness.