Current practice and recommendations for managing transgender patient data in clinical laboratories in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Background: Transgender people may avoid seeking medical care due to previous negative experiences and fear of discrimination. Clinical laboratories can contribute to a poor patient experience and clinical outcome when the design and functionality of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) do not consider the needs of transgender patients. This survey aimed to capture current practices in United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland clinical laboratories concerning how transgender patient data and test requests are managed throughout the total testing process.

A survey of practice in the management of haemolysis, icterus and lipaemia in blood specimens in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Background: Haemolysis, icterus and lipaemia (HIL) are common interferants in laboratory medicine, potentially impacting patient care. This survey investigates HIL management in medical laboratories across the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI).

Methods: A survey was sent to members of key professional organisations for laboratory medicine in the UK and ROI.

Monitoring and reporting of preanalytical errors in laboratory medicine: the UK situation.

Background: Most errors in the clinical laboratory occur in the preanalytical phase. This study aimed to comprehensively describe the prevalence and nature of preanalytical quality monitoring practices in UK clinical laboratories.

Methods: A survey was sent on behalf of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine Preanalytical Working Group (ACB-WG-PA) to all heads of department of clinical laboratories in the UK.

Selecting clinical quality indicators for laboratory medicine.

Background: Quality in laboratory medicine is often described as doing the right test at the right time for the right person. Laboratory processes currently operate under the oversight of an accreditation body which gives confidence that the process is good. However, there are aspects of quality that are not measured by these processes.

The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: guide to the Register, version 3-2010.

In 1997, the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) set up a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Commission (EC4RC). During the last 12 years, more than 2200 specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine have joined the Register.

The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: Code of Conduct, Version 2--2008.

In 1997, the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) set up a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Commission (EC4RC). During the last 10 years, more than 2000 specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine have joined the Register.