title: [Outcome studies with regard to medical laboratory testing].
abstract: Outcome studies and health technology assessment and appraisals have become more and more prominent in regard to the utility of laboratory testing in clinical medicine. In the past years many valuable and useful studies have been published that demonstrate an increasing value of laboratory testing in a variety of clinical situations or for a good number of disease diagnosis and monitoring. An excellent outcome using laboratory testing can only be achieved when the tests (methods) have an outstanding performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity, imprecision and robustness. Further, not only has the test per se to be outstanding, it is also of uttermost importance that the clinical setting, in which the test is performed, fits and that the preanalytic requirements are fulfilled as well as that the statistical rules are followed. The laboratory test has to be incorporated into an integrated approach respecting in a weighted attempt as many as possible aspects of health care.
authors: Institut für Labormedizin, Kantonsspital Aarau.
authors: Andreas R
authors: AR
authors: Huber
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D064790:Clinical Laboratory Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013557:Switzerland