Laboratory testing of extravascular body fluids in Croatia: a survey of the Working group for extravascular body fluids of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
BACKGROUND
We hypothesized that extravascular body fluid (EBF) analysis in Croatia is not harmonized and aimed to investigate preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical procedures used in EBF analysis in order to identify key aspects that should be addressed in future harmonization attempts.


METHODS
An anonymous online survey created to explore laboratory testing of EBF was sent to secondary, tertiary and private health care Medical Biochemistry Laboratories (MBLs) in Croatia. Statements were designed to address preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical procedures of cerebrospinal, pleural, peritoneal (ascites), pericardial, seminal, synovial, amniotic fluid and sweat. Participants were asked to declare the strength of agreement with proposed statements using a Likert scale. Mean scores for corresponding separate statements divided according to health care setting were calculated and compared.


RESULTS
The survey response rate was 0.64 (58 / 90). None of the participating private MBLs declared to analyse EBF. We report a mean score of 3.45 obtained for all statements evaluated. Deviations from desirable procedures were demonstrated in all EBF testing phases. Minor differences in procedures used for EBF analysis comparing secondary and tertiary health care MBLs were found. The lowest scores were obtained for statements regarding quality control procedures in EBF analysis, participation in proficiency testing programmes and provision of interpretative comments on EBF's test reports.


CONCLUSIONS
Although good laboratory EBF practice is present in Croatia, procedures for EBF analysis should be further harmonized to improve the quality of EBF testing and patient safety.
University Department of Chemistry, Medical School University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Lara Milevoj
LM
Kopcinovic
Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Zeljka
Z
Vogrinc
Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, General hospital Varaždin, Varaždin, Croatia.
Irena
I
Kocijan
Department of Transfusiology and Hemostasis, Medical School University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Jelena
J
Culej
Clinical Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Merica
M
Aralica
Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, Primary Health Care Centre Zagreb - East, Zagreb, Croatia.
Anja
A
Jokic
Clinical Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Dragana
D
Antoncic
University Department of Chemistry, Medical School University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Marija
M
Bozovic
D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D017523:Croatia; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
cerebrospinal fluid; extravascular body fluids; harmonization; serous fluids; survey