[Standardization of serum lipid examination: an attempt in Oita]

There is an obvious difference in currently available clinical laboratory data between hospitals. With the advent of information systems, the clinical laboratory information in the future must be standardized so that it can be used in medical treatment and health control throughout the life patients time. Establishing publicly acknowledged standards is essential for standardization to be translated into practice. The standards for clinical laboratory examination in Japan are approved by consensus in the Japanese Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (JCCLS). However, standards have yet to be established for most laboratory examinations. This poses is a major obstacle in promoting the standardization. Standardization should be implemented carefully with consideration of the worldwide trend. That is probably the reason why the consultation and approval at JCCLS have been delayed, but it is hoped that standards will be established as soon as possible. The committee for quality control survey in Oita Medical Association organized a Lipid Unit of the Sectional Committee for Standardization in 1994 and has since implemented standardization according to the lipid standardization program of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with some modifications. Measures for improvement have been adopted for a trial period in parallel with four surveys, and in September, 1995 all 9 hospitals passed the standardization test performed on the basis of the CDC provisions for certification. The Oita Medical Association plans to expand the lipid standardization to all parts of the prefecture using the trial of standardization by the Lipid Unit as a model.