Assuring the quality of interpretative comments in clinical chemistry

Joint diseases are conditions with an often progressive and generally painful nature affecting the patient’s quality of life and, in some cases, requiring a prompt diagnosis in order to start the treatment urgently. Synovial fluid (SF) laboratory testing is an important part of a diagnostic evaluation of patients with joint diseases. Laboratory testing of SF can provide valuable information in establishing the diagnosis, be a part of a patient’s follow-up and treatment with the purpose of improving the patient’s health and quality of life. Synovial fluid laboratory testing is rarely performed in Croatian medical biochemistry laboratories. Consequently, procedures for SF laboratory testing are poorly harmonized. This document is the second in the series of recommendations prepared by the members of the Working group for extravascular body fluid samples of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. It addresses preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical issues and the clinical significance of tests used in SF laboratory testing with the aim of improving the value of SF laboratory testing in the diagnosis of joint diseases and assisting in the achievement of national harmonization. It is intended for laboratory professionals and all medical personnel involved in synovial fluid collection and testing.

Section: Postanalytical Phasementioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory testing of extravascular body fluids: National recommendations on behalf of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Part II – Synovial fluid

Jokić¹,

Kopcinovic

Culej

et al. 2020

“…Comments are added only to improve the clinical value of the results and influence further diagnostic procedures or differential diagnosis; comments that do not provide additional value to the results should be avoided. Table 2 describes the minimum required content of a laboratory test report ( 16 , 42 - 45 ).…”

Section: Procedures 3: Preparation Of the Laboratory Test Reportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-analytical laboratory work: national recommendations from the Working Group for Post-analytics on behalf of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine

Krleža

Honović²,

Tanasković³

et al. 2019

The post-analytical phase is the final phase of the total testing process and involves evaluation of laboratory test results; release of test results in a timely manner to appropriate individuals, particularly critical results; and modification, annotation or revocation of results as necessary to support clinical decision-making. Here we present a series of recommendations for post-analytical best practices, tailored to medical biochemistry laboratories in Croatia, which are intended to ensure alignment with national and international norms and guidelines. Implementation of the national recommendations is illustrated through several examples.

“…Recent survey among diagnostic laboratories in Croatia showed that only small number of laboratories interprets the results of the coagulation test report or recommendations for further testing ( 6 ). Nowadays, as an integral part of laboratory service, laboratories are increasingly encouraged to provide interpretative and/or informative comments related to interferences and findings discovered by the laboratory for a particular patient´s sample ( 56 ). The interpretative and/or informative comments attached to the result report may help the clinician to appropriately use the laboratory information.…”

Section: Postanalytical Phase In Coagulation Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine: National recommendations for blood collection, processing, performance and reporting of results for coagulation screening assays prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time

Bronić¹,

Herak

Margetić³

et al. 2019

A modern diagnostic laboratory offers wide spectrum of coagulation assays utilized in the diagnosis and management of patients with haemostatic disorders, preoperative screening and anticoagulation therapy monitoring. The recent survey conducted among Croatian medical biochemistry and transfusion laboratories showed the existence of different practice policies in particular phases of laboratory process during coagulation testing and highlighted areas that need improvement. Lack of assay standardization together with non-harmonized test results between different measurement methods, can potentially lead to incorrect decisions in patient’s treatment. Consequently, patient safety could be compromised. Therefore, recommended procedures related to preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical phases of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen and D-dimer testing are provided in this review, aiming to help laboratories to generate accurate and reliable test results.