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Favaloro EJ, Mohammed S, Vong R, Pasalic L. Harmonization of Hemostasis Testing Across a Large Laboratory Network: An Example from Australia. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2663:71-91. [PMID: 37204705 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3175-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Harmonization and standardization of laboratory tests and procedures carry a variety of benefits. For example, within a laboratory network, harmonization/standardization provides a common platform for test procedures and documentation across different laboratories. This enables staff to be deployed across several laboratories, if required, without additional training, since test procedures and documentation are the "same" in the different laboratories. Streamlined accreditation of laboratories is also facilitated, as accreditation in one laboratory using a particular procedure/documentation should simplify the accreditation of another laboratory in that network to the same accreditation standard. In the current chapter, we detail our experience regarding the harmonization and standardization of laboratory tests and procedures related to hemostasis testing in our laboratory network, NSW Health Pathology, representing the largest public pathology provider in Australia, with over 60 separate laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel J Favaloro
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga, Wagga, NSW, Australia.
| | - Soma Mohammed
- Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Ronny Vong
- Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Leonardo Pasalic
- Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Centres for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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Favaloro EJ, Mohammed S, Priebbenow VU, Vong R, Pasalic L. Auto-validation of Routine Coagulation/Hemostasis Assays with Reflex Testing of Abnormal Test Results. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2663:93-109. [PMID: 37204706 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3175-1_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Hemostasis laboratories play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with bleeding or thrombotic disorders. Routine coagulation assays, including the prothrombin time (PT)/international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), are used for various purposes. These include as a screen of hemostasis function/dysfunction (e.g., possible factor deficiency) and for monitoring of anticoagulant therapy, such as vitamin K antagonists (PT/INR) and unfractionated heparin (APTT). Clinical laboratories are also under increasing pressure to improve services, especially response (test turnaround) times. There is also a need for laboratories to try to reduce error rates and for laboratory networks to standardize/harmonize processes and policies. Accordingly, we describe our experience with the development and implementation of automated processes for reflex testing and validation of routine coagulation test results. This has been implemented in a large pathology network compromising 27 laboratories and is under consideration for expansion to our larger network (of 60 laboratories). These rules have been custom-built within our laboratory information system (LIS), perform reflex testing of abnormal results, and fully automate the process of routine test validation for appropriate results. These rules also permit adherence to standardized pre-analytical (sample integrity) checks, automate reflex decisions, automate verification, and provide an overall alignment of network practices in a large network of 27 laboratories. In addition, the rules enable clinically significant results to be quickly referred to hematopathologists for review. We also documented an improvement in test turnaround times, with savings in operator time and thus operating costs. Finally, the process was generally well received and determined to be beneficial for most laboratories in our network, in part identified by improved test turnaround times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel J Favaloro
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga, Wagga, NSW, Australia.
| | - Soma Mohammed
- Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Violeta Ule Priebbenow
- Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Ronny Vong
- Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Leonardo Pasalic
- Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Centres for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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