Quality and timeliness in medical laboratory testing |
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Authors: | Ingolf Schimke |
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Institution: | 1.Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Angiology,Charité—Universit?tsmedizin Berlin,Berlin,Germany |
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Abstract: | In terms of testing, modern laboratory medicine can be divided into centralized testing in central laboratories and point-of-care
testing (POCT). Centralized laboratory medicine offers high-quality results, as guaranteed by the use of quality management
programs and the excellence of the staff. POCT is performed by clinical staff, and so such testing has moved back closer to
the patient. POCT has the advantage of shortening the turnaround time, which potentially benefits the patient. However, the
clinical laboratory testing expertise of clinical staff is limited. Consequently, when deciding which components of laboratory
testing must be conducted in central laboratories and which components as POCT (in relation to quality and timeliness), it
will be medical necessity, medical utility, technological capabilities and costs that will have to be ascertained. Provided
adequate quality can be guaranteed, POCT is preferable, considering its timeliness, when testing vital parameters. It is also
preferred when the central laboratory cannot guarantee the delivery of results of short turn-around-time (STAT) markers within
60 or (even better) 30 min. POCT should not replace centralized medical laboratory testing in general, but it should be used
in cases where positive effects on patient care have been clearly demonstrated. |
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Keywords: | Centralized laboratory testing Laboratory medicine Medical laboratory testing Point-of-care testing Quality Timeliness Turn-around-time Clinical/Biomedical analysis Sampling Bioanalytical methods Biological samples |
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