B1 Non-refereed article in a scientific journal
Is it feasible for European laboratories to use SI units in reporting results?
Authors: Zaninotto, Martina; Agnello, Luisa; Dukic, Lora; Šálek, Tomáš; Linko-Parvinen, Anna; Kalaria, Tejas; Vermeersch, Pieter; On Behalf of European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Committee-Harmonization (C-H) and Committee -Postanalytical Phase (C-POST)
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Journal name in source: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
Journal acronym: Clin Chem Lab Med
ISSN: 1434-6621
eISSN: 1437-4331
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2025-0113
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2025-0113
The ultimate goal of harmonization, crucial to quality in laboratory medicine, is to improve patient outcomes by providing accurate, actionable laboratory information. Patients and healthcare professionals assume that clinical laboratory tests performed by different laboratories at different times on the same type of sample are comparable, and that results can be reliably and consistently interpreted. In this context the reporting units for tests can have a considerable influence on the numeric result. The harmonization of measurement units in laboratory report, leads to the provision of interchangeable and comparable results, thus maximizing the validity of laboratory information, and assuring a more accurate diagnosis and better treatment for the patient. However, although considerable efforts have been made in recent years, the criticisms continue. This opinion paper, prepared jointly by EFLM Committee Harmonization (C-H) and Committee Postanalytical phase (C-POST), describes the "general pragmatic approach" proposed in the drafting of guidelines for the harmonization of measurement units in reporting results, in order to ensure they are used as widely as possible.
Funding information in the publication:
None declared.
