title: Defining/measuring the value of clinical information.
abstract: Laboratory test results are of limited use in the absence of corresponding clinical information. The range of necessary and pertinent information is broad, but may be as narrow as knowing the patient's age and gender or the site from where a culture specimen was collected, up to the knowledge of the complete clinical history and physical examination for proper interpretation of a test result. Several issues are involved in the utilization of the clinical laboratory from the perspective of clinical appropriateness. In this article, we try to define and elaborate on how critical clinical information is for the pathologists and clinicians alike with the ultimate goal of optimal patient care.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D018511:Systems Integration; D014481:United States