Interpretative comments - need for harmonization? Results of the Croatian survey by the Working Group for Post-analytics.

Introduction: Interpretation of laboratory test results is a complex post-analytical activity that requires not only understanding of the clinical significance of laboratory results but also the analytical phase of laboratory work. The aims of this study were to determine: 1) the general opinion of Croatian medical biochemistry laboratories (MBLs) about the importance of interpretative comments on laboratory test reports, and 2) to find out whether harmonization of interpretative comments is needed.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was designed as a survey by the Working Group for Post-analytics as part of national External Quality Assessment (EQA) program.

The concurrence of the current postanalytical phase management with the national recommendations: a survey of the Working Group for Postanalytics of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

Introduction: The detection and prevention of errors in the postanalytical phase can be done through the harmonization and standardization of constituent parts of this phase of laboratory work. The aim was to investigate how well the ongoing management of the postanalytical phase corresponds to the document "Post-analytical laboratory work: national recommendations" in Croatian medical biochemistry laboratories (MBLs).

Materials And Methods: All 195 MBLs participating in the national external quality assessment scheme, were invited to undertake a part in a survey.

Reporting of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): Could we achieve better comparability of the results?

Introduction: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is determined and reported as clotting time in seconds aPTT(s), but it is presumed that reporting results as patient-to-normal clotting time ratio, aPTT(r), could minimize within-laboratory variability. The aim of study was to investigate differences in reporting aPTT results that can affect comparability of the results among Croatian laboratories and suggest further steps for its harmonization.

Materials And Methods: The questionnaire on aPTT reporting practice was distributed to 83 laboratories through Survey Monkey application in March 2019 as the part of the first regular round of Croatian Centre for Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine proficiency testing.

Reporting categories in urine test strip analysis: Croatian survey and call for action.

Introduction: In line with the national recommendations, Croatian medical laboratories report urine test strip qualitative analysis results using a categorized scale with defined number of categories. Since concentration ranges for measured analytes have not been provided by national professional authority, it is up to the laboratories to define their own categories. The aim of study was to assess the comparability of concentrations assigned to different categories used in reporting the results of dipstick urinalysis in Croatian laboratories.

Analytical verification of 12 most commonly used urine dipsticks in Croatia: comparability, repeatability and accuracy.

Introduction: Variability among manufacturers of urine dipsticks, respective to their accuracy and measurement range, may lead to diagnostic errors and thus create a serious risk for the patient. Our aims were to determine the level of agreement between 12 most commonly used urine dipsticks in Croatia, examine their accuracy for glucose and total protein and to test their repeatability.

Materials And Methods: A total of 75 urine samples were used to examine comparability and accuracy of 12 dipstick brands (Combur 10 TestM, ChoiceLine 10, Combur 10 TestUX, ComboStik 10M, ComboStik 11M, CombiScreen 11SYS, CombiScreen 10SL, Combina 13, Combina 11S, Combina 10M, UriGnost 11, Multistix 10SG).

External quality assessment of medical laboratories in Croatia: preliminary evaluation of post-analytical laboratory testing.

Introduction: Proper standardization of laboratory testing requires assessment of performance after the tests are performed, known as the post-analytical phase. A nationwide external quality assessment (EQA) scheme implemented in Croatia in 2014 includes a questionnaire on post-analytical practices, and the present study examined laboratory responses in order to identify current post-analytical phase practices and identify areas for improvement.

Materials And Methods: In four EQA exercises between September 2014 and December 2015, 145-174 medical laboratories across Croatia were surveyed using the Module 11 questionnaire on the post-analytical phase of testing.

Evaluating performance in sweat testing in medical biochemistry laboratories in Croatia.

Introduction: Sweat test has a diagnostic role in evaluation of cystic fibrosis. Its performance includes sweat stimulation, collection and analysis. All listed may be sources of inconsistencies in everyday practice.

External Quality Assessment in Croatia: problems, challenges, and specific circumstances.

In Croatian medical laboratories (ML), external quality assessment (EQA) has a long tradition of almost half of a century. At national level, EQA is provided by Croatian Centre for Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine (CROQALM) which is a part of Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
This case study aimed to summarize the main challenges, which are set to CROQALM and their possible solutions.