title: [Importance of JSLM2009 guideline and a message regarding the next set of guideline].
abstract: The Japanese Society of Laboratory Medicine has established the JSLM2009 guideline. This guideline is very useful for performing laboratory examinations precisely. However, further improvements in this guideline are desirable for the future. I think that JSLM2009 guideline has the following advantages and disadvantages for clinicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (1) JSLM 2009 guideline has referred to many guidelines from other medical societies in order to maintain comparability among guidelines. (2) Many figures have been to help clinician understand the strategy of laboratory medicine. (3) There are also many recommendations indicating when clinicians should consult an expert. (4) JSLM2009 guideline indicates whether or not each laboratory examination is covered by Japanese health insurance.
  (1) There are some ambiguities that may lead to mistakes. (2) Descriptions of the sensitivity and specificity of laboratory medicine are insufficient. (3) The evidence level supporting various aspects of laboratory medicine has not been described. (4) There are certain areas that are based on insufficient evidence. In this context, I consider that the next set of guideline should be based on evidence that adequately supports laboratory medicine, while maintaining the current advantages of JSLM2009 guideline.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Toranomon Hospital, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan. muneyoshi-k@toranomon.gr.jp
authors.forename: Muneyoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity