Adding value to laboratory medicine: a professional responsibility

Beastall, G.H. (2013) Adding value to laboratory medicine: a professional responsibility. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 51(1), pp. 221-227. (doi: 10.1515/cclm-2012-0630)

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Abstract

Laboratory medicine is a medical specialty at the centre of healthcare. When used optimally laboratory medicine generates knowledge that can facilitate patient safety, improve patient outcomes, shorten patient journeys and lead to more cost-effective healthcare. Optimal use of laboratory medicine relies on dynamic and authoritative leadership outside as well as inside the laboratory. The first responsibility of the head of a clinical laboratory is to ensure the provision of a high quality service across a wide range of parameters culminating in laboratory accreditation against an international standard, such as ISO 15189. From that essential baseline the leadership of laboratory medicine at local, national and international level needs to ‘add value’ to ensure the optimal delivery, use, development and evaluation of the services provided for individuals and for groups of patients. A convenient tool to illustrate added value is use of the mnemonic ‘SCIENCE’. This tool allows added value to be considered in seven domains: standardisation and harmonisation; clinical effectiveness; innovation; evidence-based practice; novel applications; cost-effectiveness; and education of others. The assessment of added value in laboratory medicine may be considered against a framework that comprises three dimensions: operational efficiency; patient management; and patient behaviours. The profession and the patient will benefit from sharing examples of adding value to laboratory medicine.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The final publication is available at www.degruyter.com
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Beastall, Dr Graham
Authors: Beastall, G.H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Publisher:Walter de Gruyter
ISSN:1434-6621
ISSN (Online):1437-4331
Published Online:18 October 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 Walter de Gruyter
First Published:First published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 51(1):21-227
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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