 |
| Research article summary (published 19 May 2002): |
Charting the course of medical laboratories in a changing environment.
Full Abstract
BACKGROUND:
In recent decades, dramatic changes have occurred in the organization, number and type of tests, and role of medical laboratories in healthcare. The role of laboratory professionals has undergone a radical change, which calls for greater analytical accuracy, and more stringent test selection, and interpretation of results.
METHODS:
The ancillary role of clinical laboratories in the past was analyzed in order to understand why the change has taken place, and to identify old and new areas in which laboratory information is largely used for improving upon decision making for treatment, and patient management.
RESULTS:
The availability of real-time laboratory results and more effective tests, the enhanced clinical consulting role, the involvement in therapeutic decisions, the efforts to prevent rather than cure disease, the shift from anecdotal care to evidence-based medicine, and the assessment of outcome for laboratory tests have all contributed to the changing role and duties of medical laboratories.
CONCLUSIONS:
Crucial elements in sustaining the changes in the role and contribution of medical laboratories to a high-quality healthcare are the ability of laboratory professionals to:
guarantee the quality of laboratory tests irrespective of where they are performed; improve the quality of services; improve clinical outcomes; and perform joint clinical/laboratory research projects. A key factor in effecting the change has been the awareness of the importance of the knowledge and skills required for the new role of laboratory professionals.
Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills
Author information
Author/s: Plebani, Mario (M);
Affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University-Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy. pad08821(-atsign-)pd.nettuno.it
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (Clin Chim Acta), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-May; vol 319 (issue 2) : pp 87-100
Dates: Created 2002/04/16; Completed 2002/06/25; Revised 2004/11/17;
PMID: 11955484, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):
Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.
This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.
MeSH headings (categories)
This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.
|
|
Related articles
This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.
See a large map of 100+ related articles.