[Influence factors in the physician's laboratory]

Preanalytical influence factors are of paramount significance for the quality of a laboratory result. As a rule, their importance is greater than the inadequacies of the analytical process. Examples from the physician's laboratory concerning adult patients and primary samples are discussed. Weak points can be a lack of professionalism in the personnel involved as well as the need to send out and transport samples. The strong point of the office laboratory is its orientation towards a specific patient.