Reflection on the harmonization of the postanalytical phase of European clinical laboratories

Overview

This work contains three moments from the harmonization of the postanalytical phase. The first part deals with a questionnaire of the EFLM working group on harmonization, namely on the measurement units and reference intervals. Results show a significant elevation of using the SI units but a lack of harmonization of reference intervals. In the second part, we introduce several examples of a very strong shortage of harmonization of measurement units in EQA programs and medical guidelines. The last part deals with the future of the post-analytical phase based on the acceptance of measurement uncertainty, biological variation, decision limits, and reference change values. The main aim of the future postanalytical phase is conversion from laboratory data to patient information.

Keywords:

Measurement uncertainty – postanalytical phase – biological variation – reference intervals – measurement units