title: Background--setting the stage for alternate-site laboratory testing.
abstract: Market forces and service demands are driving a segment of laboratory testing away from centralized laboratories and closer to the patient's bedside. Placed into a historical perspective, this should be neither surprising nor distressing. Terminology is being clarified and professional societies are beginning to take the lead in molding these testing strategies into appropriate tools for advancing excellent patient care.
authors: Department of Pathology, Methodist Hospitals, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors: C R
authors: CR
authors: Handorf
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States