Abstract
The reliability of patient results is something the laboratory itself can only partially influence. During the last few decades, the analytical process has achieved a high level of quality due to standardized measuring conditions as well as internal and external quality control rules, which have been established within the community of laboratory professionals.
The pre-analytical phase, on the other hand, is only partially under the control of the laboratory. This part of the process, which still needs improvement, is the concern of the book of Guder et al. According to the authors, not only are there issues surrounding the drawing of appropriate samples of blood in order to achieve quality results, but even the ordering process itself must be improved at the same time that its cost is lowered. Interdisciplinary cooperation among physicians, nurses, laboratory managers, and technicians is needed to standardize and improve the pre-analytical phase. This, however, is not an easy task since it requires knowledge and experience in the whole pre-analytical area plus unbiased analysis of mutual errors and acceptance of more general rather than local process optimization rules. As a consequence, the authors focus on recommendations based on their own experience, such as formation of interdisciplinary task forces to release an internal quality handbook.
The authors also summarize the results of studies on the major sources of errors, pre-analytical stability of blood components, optimal drawing and transportation conditions, etc. Wherever appropriate, a format of comprehensive and illustrative graphs and tables has been chosen, and each individual topic is covered on only two pages so that the book is easy to read and suitable as a compendium.
A glossary and a valuable list of references allow for quick orientation within the topics of the book itself and related areas of pathophysiological interest.