title: State of the art in therapeutic drug monitoring.
abstract: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a multidisciplinary activity. Because laboratory reports are part of the patient's chart, some clinical information is required. In order to guarantee quality and safety, an increasing number of TDM departments have implemented a quality management system. The aim of the present article is to review the three phases of TDM: the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases. In the pre-analytical phase, it is necessary to acquire a valid specimen collected at the specific time window. Analytical methods should be validated, assessing possible interfering substances. The objective of the post-analytical phase is the final report, which should include correct interpretation, as well as possible advice. Appropriate pharmacokinetic interpretation avoids unnecessary costs and leads to clinical benefits.
authors.affiliation: Comisión de Monitorización de Fármacos y Toxicología Clínica (Sociedad Española de Química Clínica), Spain. helenllore@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Llorente Fernández
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Parés
authors.forename: Iratxe
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ajuria
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bandres
authors.forename: Bartomeu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Castanyer
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farré
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pou
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Queraltó
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: To-Figueras
mesh_terms: D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs